All Hong Kong seafarers are reminded that
they must be re-registered under the Merchant Shipping (Seafarers)
Ordinance if they want to continue serving in the seafaring profession,
a Marine Department spokesman said today (Sunday).
Following the implementation of the Merchant Shipping (Seafarers)
Ordinance (Cap. 478) on September 2, 1996 which replaced the Merchant
Shipping (Recruiting of Seamen) Ordinance (Cap. 135), all Hong
Kong seafarers previously registered under the Merchant Shipping
(Recruiting of Seamen) Ordinance and those unregistered seafarers
now being employed on coastal-going ships must be re-registered
if they intend to continue serving in the seafaring profession.
The seafarers should apply to the Superintendent, Mercantile
Marine Office, Marine Department for their registration by September
1, 1997. If they are employed on foreign-going ships, they should
apply within one month after being discharged from a ship returning
to Hong Kong.
Since the re-registration started on September 2, 1996, 1,650
applications have been received by the Marine Department.
The spokesman stressed that the re-registration is a must to
keep the seafarers in the profession.
He said: "Employers and families of Hong Kong seafarers
are advised to inform Hong Kong seafarers of the changes if they
are now serving on board foreign-going ships."
Further details concerning the re-registration of Hong Kong seafarers
are available at the Mercantile Marine Office of the Marine Department
on 2852 3061 during office hours.
2 February, 1997
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