Hong Kong Maritime Museum celebrates seafaring

by Jeni Bone on 5 May 2010 One of the hidden attractions of Hong Kong – tucked away in Stanley, with none of the neon lights of Nathan Road nor the allure of the cuisine and culture of Kowloon – is the Hong Kong Maritime Museum. But it’s a must see, just the same.

Located in historic Murray House, this gallery-cum-reliquary houses semi-permanent and special exhibitions, dynamic, interactive displays, events and a Museum Shop. The main focus of the Museum is to illustrate how China, Asia and the West have contributed through the ages to the development of boats, ships, maritime exploration, trade, and naval warfare. It also covers current global trends and a vibrant account of the significance of Hong Kong as a major world port.

Inside the fascinating historic Colonial building, the Museum is a non-profit educational institution funded by Hong Kong's international shipping community.

There are two sections – Ancient Gallery and Modern Gallery – covering as the names would indicate the two main epochs in Asian maritime history and how China has interacted with great maritime powers like Portugal, Spain, Britain, and Muslims. There is a fascinating section devoted to migration and how the Chinese have welcomed diverse races to Hong Kong over hundreds of years, and themselves have taken part in the great Diaspora throughout the world, pursuing education, gold and the betterment of their society for their experience on their return.

Then there were the wars and the terrible cost to local troops as they fought to the death against the invading Japanese, intent on securing this most valuable of coastal assets – Hong Kong and its pivotal port.

On a lighter note, you can take the helm with a joystick and guide a container ship in to Victoria Harbour, complete with bone-jolting shudder and sound effects if you’re not accurate, or sit inside a container and beat the clock as you try and keep up with industry standard speed as you load your virtual cargo, and find out all the intricacies and capabilities of present and past ships which are familiar sights in Hong Kong waters.

Interestingly, 2010 is the 'Year of the Seafarer'. The Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) agreed the theme will be celebrated throughout the year and also at a World Maritime Day events around the world, giving the international maritime community the opportunity to pay tribute to the world’s seafarers for their unique contribution to society and in recognition of the risks they shoulder in the execution of their duties in an often hostile environment.

In proposing it, IMO Secretary-General Mitropoulos said: 'the unique hazards confronting the 1.5 million seafarers of the world - including pirate attacks, unwarranted detention and abandonment - coupled with the predicted looming shortage of ships’ officers, make it ever more incumbent to take immediate and effective action to forestall a situation from developing in which ships are not manned with sufficient skilled personnel'.

The theme complements IMO's ongoing 'Go to Sea!' campaign to attract new entrants to the shipping industry, which was launched in November 2008 in association with the International Labour Organization, the 'Round Table' of shipping industry organizations and the International Transport Workers' Federation. It is also in line with the comprehensive review, initiated in 2006, of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) 1978 and its associated Code, updated texts of which are due to be considered by a Diplomatic Conference scheduled to be held in Manila, Philippines, in mid-2010.

Once adopted, the proposed amendments to the STCW Convention and Code will provide the necessary global standards for the training and certification of seafarers to man technologically advanced ships, today and for some time to come.

Also new to Stanley, a vibrant, though late rising, waterfront promenade, now boasting waffle shop, juice bar, seafood creperie and gift shop in ultra-modern complex, at the back of the more traditional markets. There's the ubiquitous McDonald's and Starbucks too if you're hanging for a cappuccino (or frappe!)

So there you go. Next time you’re in Hong Kong, bypass the gaudy delights of Temple St and Mongkok, skip the tailors and watch shops and hop aboard one of those dare-devil double decker busses that hug the narrow roads carved through the rainforest slopes to peaceful beachside Stanley. It’s only an hour to grit your teeth and it’s utterly worth the AUD$3 each way. But do have a foot and neck massage on your return to the city, by all means. You’ll need it.

More at www.hkmaritimemuseum.org