Hong Kong Regulations

MERCHANT SHIPPING (LOCAL VESSELS) (CERTIFICATION AND LICENSING) REGULATION - SECT 47

Vessels required to carry operators holding local certificates of competency

(1) A Class I, II or III vessel that is fitted with any propulsion engines
shall not be underway unless there is on board—

   (a)  a person in charge of the vessel who is the holder of a local
        certificate of competency as a coxswain appropriate for the vessel, or
        any equivalent certificate specified in the Local Certificate of
        Competency Rules;

   (b)  in addition to the person referred to in paragraph (a), a person in
        charge of the engines who is the holder of a local certificate of
        competency as an engine operator appropriate for the total propulsion
        power of the engines of the vessel, or any equivalent certificate
        specified in the Local Certificate of Competency Rules; and

   (c)  such additional number of crew with such qualification, training and
        experience as may be specified in the full licence or
        temporary licence for the vessel.

(2) Subsection (1)(b) does not apply to a local vessel specified in Schedule
3.

(3) It is sufficient compliance with subsection (1)(a) and (b) if—

   (a)  a Government surveyor, having regard to the size of the vessel, the
        engines of the vessel, and the location of the controls, certifies in
        writing that a Class I, II or III vessel (including its engines) can
        be properly controlled by one person; and

   (b)  the person in charge of the vessel (including its engines) is the
        holder of both of the certificates referred to in subsection (1)(a)
        and (b).

(4) A Class IV vessel or an ancillary vessel of a Class IV vessel that is more
than 3 metres in length overall or is fitted with engines of more than 3
kilowatts total propulsion power shall not be underway unless there is on
board a person in charge of the vessel who is the holder of a local
certificate of competency as a pleasure vessel operator, or any equivalent
certificate as specified in the Local Certificate of Competency Rules.

(5) If subsection (1) or (4) is contravened, the owner and the coxswain of the
local vessel each commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine at
level 3 and imprisonment for 6 months.