Hong Kong Regulations

SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL (PLEASURE VESSELS) (CERTIFICATES OF COMPETENCY) RULES - SCHEDULE 2

EXAMINATION PROCEDURE

1.1. Candidates for a local certificate of competency as Master or Engineer of a Pleasure Vessel (known as a Pleasure Vessel Certificate of Competency) should complete an application form obtainable from the Marine Department Examination Centre. The completed form with photograph attached together with the appropriate fee should be submitted to the Marine Department Examination Centre.

2.1. Candidates when applying and subsequently when appearing for the examination must produce to the examiner or his deputy a Hong Kong Identity Card, or other acceptable proof of identity.

3.1. Candidates must appear punctually for the examination at the time appointed.
3.2. A candidate who does not appear punctually for the examination at the time appointed will be regarded as having failed the examination and will forfeit the examination fee unless he produces a medical certificate or other satisfactory evidence of his inability to attend the examination.

4.1. The fees payable for sitting an examination and for the grant of a certificate are those prescribed by the Merchant Shipping (Fees) Regulations (Cap 281 sub. leg.).

5.1. A candidate may cancel or postpone the taking of an examination by advising the examiner in writing at least 3 days before the day appointed for the examination. Subject to regulation 11A of the Merchant Shipping (Fees) Regulations (Cap 281 sub. leg.), any fee paid in respect of such cancelled or postponed examination shall either be refunded to the candidate or, if he so requests, be held to his credit for a future examination. Only one postponement of an examination will be permitted unless there are exceptional circumstances warranting a second postponement. 5.2. In any case where an examination is cancelled or postponed other than in accordance with paragraph 5.1, the fees will not be refunded.

6.1. No persons other than candidates and those whose duties require them to be present will be allowed in the examination room during the examination.

7.1. Before the examination begins, the examiner will ensure that the tables and desks are cleared of all scraps of paper and books (other than those permitted in the examination room).

8.1. Candidates who have completed the examination may surrender both question and answer papers to the examiner and request permission to leave the examination room. A candidate who fails to surrender both papers will be regarded as having failed the examination.

9.1. Silence must be observed in the examination room.

10.1. Any candidate who is discovered-
(a) referring to an unauthorized book or paper;
(b) copying from another person;
(c) giving assistance or information to another person;
(d) accepting assistance or information from another person;
(e) communicating in any way with any person other than the examiner;
(f) making a copy of any part of the question paper to take out of the examination room; or
(g) damaging or defacing the question paper, during the course of an examination will be regarded as having failed the examination and will not be allowed to present himself for re-examination for a period of 6 months.
10.2. A candidate who contravenes paragraph 10.1 on more than one occasion will not be allowed to present himself for re-examination until 12 months have elapsed from the date of the last contravention.

11.1. Where the Director is satisfied that a candidate has contravened these rules, or has been guilty of insolence to an examiner, or of disorderly or improper conduct in or about the examination room, the Director may postpone the candidate's examination, or, if the candidate has attempted the examination, he will be considered to have failed and will not be accepted for re-examination for such period as may be decided by the Director.

12.1. Candidates will receive a letter advising them of their success or failure. Successful candidates will be notified when their certificate is available for issue at the Marine Department Examination Centre. The letter should be produced when requesting the certificate, or in the case of unsuccessful candidates when making application for a further examination.

13.1. An examination will be conducted in English or Chinese according to the requirements of the candidate.