Proposed seafarer law upgrade
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The Convention aims to maintain globally the highest standard of seafarer competence. Major legislative amendments include enhancing training and certification requirements of seafarers on sea-going ships. In addition, ship companies of such vessels will be required to keep proper records of seafarers’ training and certificates for the inspection and verification by authorised officers. Also suggested is stepping up control of alcohol and drug consumption by prescribing alcohol limits in blood or breath of seafarers on sea-going vessels in accordance with the requirements of the International Maritime Organisation.
A spokesperson for the Transport and Housing Bureau said today (October 7) that in anticipation of the new statutory requirements, about 240 seafarers in Hong Kong have already completed the necessary training and will be issued with new certificates by the Marine Department by December 31 after the commencement of the legislative proposals.
The Panel on Economic Development of the Legislative Council (LegCo) and the Shipping Consultative Committee were consulted, and their members supported the legislative proposals.
The proposed amendments were gazetted today and will be tabled at LegCo for negative vetting on October 12.
Ends/Friday, October 7, 2016
Issued at HKT 12:30
Issued at HKT 12:30
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