>Press Releases Home > Publications and press releases > Press Releases All HK seafarers must be re-registered All Hong Kong seafarers are today (Saturday) reminded that they must be re-registered under the Merchant Shipping (Seafarers) Ordinance on or before September 1, 1997 if they want to continue serving in the seafaring profession. A Marine Department spokesman said that the Merchant Shipping (Seafarers) Ordinance (Cap. 478) which replaced the Merchant Shipping (Recruiting of Seamen) Ordinance (Cap. 135) has come into operation since September 2, 1996. Under the Merchant Shipping (Seafarers) Ordinance, all Hong Kong seafarers 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 re-registration on or before September 1. 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 in September 1996, more than 2,600 Hong Kong seafarers have applied for the re-registration. The spokesman stressed that the re-registration is a must to keep the seafarers in the profession. "Hong Kong seafarers who have not yet been re-registered should do so within the remaining time," the spokesman added. 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 enquiries on the re-registration of Hong Kong seafarers can be made at the Mercantile Marine Office of the Marine Department on telephone 2852 3061 during office hours. Saturday, August 2, 1997
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