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Recreational boating activities should only take place with experienced crew on board, such as a qualified coxswain and engineer, so as to ensure that safe practices are followed, the Director of Marine, Mr Roger Tupper, said this afternoon (May 23).
Mr Tupper was speaking at the sixth Safety Afloat Educational Seminar, jointly organised by the Marine Department, Hong Kong Police Force and Leisure and Cultural Services Department to enhance public awareness of water sports safety.
Statistics showed that 11 people died in water sports accidents last year, which was a significant drop from the 19 deaths in 2009. Nonetheless, Mr Tupper stressed that we still need to step up efforts to further reduce casualties.
Investigations into the causes of accidents have revealed that most deaths and injuries are attributable to the failure to take heed of weather conditions or warnings, swimming alone, swimming in non-designated areas, and diving or snorkelling alone or at night.
Mr Tupper said, "It is of fundamental importance that boat-trip organisers familiarise themselves with all the safety precautions and contingency measures on board and apply them whether underway, anchored or stopped at sea.
"For sporting activities like canoeing, diving, skiing, swimming and windsurfing, novice participants should satisfy themselves that there are sufficient instructors or experienced sportspeople in the group to ensure safety."
Additionally, it is highly inadvisable to go swimming, diving, canoeing, or windsurfing alone as the potential dangers of wind, wave, swell, current and heavy rain are magnified when there is nobody watching or there is no assistance close at hand.
To assist the public to better appreciate marine safety, the Marine Department, Marine Police, and Leisure and Cultural Services Department will jointly launch a series of educational seminars and publicity campaigns.
An interdepartmental sea safety pamphlet has also been revamped to provide additional safety-related information, and more details on how to contact relevant departments should assistance be required.
On the front line, the combined fleets of the Marine Department and Marine Police will continue to step up patrols in the vicinity of speed-restricted zones and areas adjacent to popular gazetted beaches and water sports sites. A series of anti-speeding operations will also be launched to curb illegal or reckless boating activities. Lifeguards from the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will also watch out for any dangerous boating activities close to the gazetted beaches and will alert patrol officers from the Marine Department and Marine Police to take enforcement action against offenders when necessary.
Today's seminar was attended by about 140 people, including representatives of marine recreational associations and related industries, and water sports enthusiasts.
Representatives from the Hong Kong Police Force, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, and Hong Kong Observatory spoke on topics covering sea safety enforcement, safety items when visiting marine parks, and weather information and safety of water sports activities. Water sports professionals also talked about points to note on diving, water skiing, wakeboarding, towing banana boats, and chartering of pleasure vessels.
Ends/Monday, May 23, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:21
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