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Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung, after the meeting of the Steering Committee on Systemic Reform of the Marine Department this afternoon (October 26):
Secretary for Transport and Housing: I will very briefly summarise what I've said in Cantonese. Basically the Steering Committee on (Systemic) Reform of the Marine Department has met for six times since it was established in May this year. We have looked at three main areas. First, how to enhance sea safety and vessel safety. Secondly, review of the structure and the operations of the Marine Department and to suggest any reform proposals. Thirdly, to look at the long term manpower needs of the Department, especially with respect to the two main professional grades in the Department, namely the Marine Officer grade and the Surveyor of Ships grade.
As far as sea safety, vessel safety are concerned, the committee considers passenger safety to be of paramount importance. We understand the Marine Department has been in active engagement with the trade and has actually met representatives of the trade for more than 20 times. So far agreement or consensus has been reached on the first-phase improvement measures which will cover the improvement of vessel look-out, the need to maintain muster list that would advise crew members what to do in case of emergencies. Thirdly, the issue of crew number. Fourthly, the signage for life jackets. Fifthly, the need for installation of watertight door alarm.
All these measures would not require legislative amendment. So the Marine Department can simply revise the current code of practice and gazette the necessary changes. In terms of the next phase of safety improvement measures, what are being looked at include the installation of Automatic Identification System, radar and Very High Frequency radio. There's also the need to review the current arrangements for working shift for the crew members. These requirements or improvements may result in some additional cost on the part of vessel operators. We have been sending the message to the trade that safety is of great importance. We will look at the needs of the trade in a very pragmatic manner. And if necessary, we would not preclude the provision of some assistance.
In terms of the structure and operational procedures review, we have engaged the Efficiency Unit of the Government to conduct a study. The first phase of the study focused on the licensing and supervision of local vessels. Initially, findings reveal that they are indeed areas where there should be improvement. There is also a need to improve or enhance transparency and accountability in the procedures.
The final point relates to the long term manpower needs. The Marine Department is facing manpower shortage particularly in the two professional grades. This is also a common problem for the marine industry as a whole. So we have asked the Department to review the current appointment procedures to see whether we could recruit young graduates who have acquired the necessary academic qualifications to join the Department as early as possible and then to accumulate the necessary working experience. In the longer term, of course, we need to improve recruitment for the whole industry. As you know, the Financial Secretary has put aside 100 million dollars to set up a maritime and aviation training fund. So we will make the best use of the fund.
Reporter: What about the progress of the internal investigation?
Secretary for Transport and Housing: As far as the internal investigation of the Marine Department is concerned, there is a six-member investigation team in the Transport and Housing Bureau. The team has been working very hard but the investigation work is rather complex because it involves going back to records in the mid-1990s and to trace every step that was taken in terms of plan approval, inspection, licensing and so on and so forth. So far the team has identified the number of Marine Department officers or retirees that need to provide information and to be interviewed. I cannot tell you the exact details at this stage because things are still moving. But I can let you know that the total number of officers to be interviewed or being interviewed exceeds the number that gave evidence to the Commission of Inquiry. The number is a larger one because the number of people that attended inquiries of the Commission of Inquiry was about 23. Now we are talking about a much larger number and we need to gather additional information. I hope that, based on the current progress, I'm hoping that the internal investigation team can submit a report to me within the first quarter of next year.
Reporter: How many more officers will need to be interviewed and who are they?
Secretary for Transport and Housing: I can't give you the details because the internal investigation is still going on. I hope that by the time the investigation report comes to my desk, then of course I will be able to disclose more details. But we need to be mindful that after the conclusion of the internal investigation report, should disciplinary actions need to be taken, then of course there will be the usual civil service disciplinary proceedings.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Saturday, October 26, 2013
Issued at HKT 21:53
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