Hong Kong Regulations

MERCHANT SHIPPING (LOCAL VESSELS) (CERTIFICATION AND LICENSING) REGULATION - SECT 27

Implications of interim ownership

(1) If a certificate of ownership endorsed or issued under section  26 in
respect of a local vessel, in which a person is named as the interim owner, is
in force, then—

   (a)  unless otherwise provided for under this section or in the
        certificate of ownership, the Ordinance and regulations made under it
        shall apply to the person named as the interim owner as if he were the
        owner of the vessel; and

   (b)  without prejudice to the liability of any person for or in respect of
        the vessel otherwise than under this paragraph, a person named as the
        interim owner is liable under the Ordinance and regulations made under
        it for and in respect of the vessel as if he were the owner of the
        vessel.

(2) Except as provided for in subsection (1), section 26 shall not affect any
issue relating to the ownership of a local vessel or the interest that any
person may have in the vessel.

(3) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (2)—

   (a)  a notice of transfer in respect of a local vessel signed by the
        interim owner of the vessel as the original owner shall not be
        accepted by the Director for the purpose of section 22; and

   (b)  the fact that a person is named as interim owner of a local vessel
        under section 26 does not by itself give such interim owner a right to
        operate the vessel and does not affect any claim a person having an
        interest in the vessel may have against such interim owner arising
        from the operation of the vessel by such interim owner.