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In regard to the New Year's Eve countdown celebrations to be held by the Hong Kong Tourism Board on December 31, the Marine Department (MD) and the Police today (December 27) specially reminded the public of the marine traffic control for the event day, as well as the safety measures to be followed by crew and passengers of spectator vessels on that day.
The Senior Marine Officer (Harbour Patrol Section) of the MD, Mr Warren Li, said at a press conference today that the MD will strengthen inspections of spectator vessels on the event day to ensure that vessels meet safety requirements. The requirements include providing sufficient life-saving appliances on board, ensuring that children wear a lifejacket at all times and having coxswains keep a passenger and crew list on board in case it is needed.
He noted that if any vessel fails to meet the requirements, inspecting officers will issue directions at the scene and request the person in charge of the vessel to take remedial actions. If the person in charge of the vessel refuses to comply with the directions, the department will take necessary follow-up action, such as prohibiting the vessel to depart or considering prosecution.
Mr Li explained the marine traffic control measures to be implemented on the event day. He said fireworks will be featured this year and a closed area, in waters off the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre at Wan Chai where barges for the fireworks and pyrotechnic display will be anchored, will be established from 2pm on the event day to about 3am on the following day (January 1). No vessels will be allowed to enter the closed area. To facilitate crowd control on land at the waterfront of the Tsim Sha Tsui area, all public landing steps at Kowloon Public Pier will be closed from 9.30pm on the event day to about 2am on the following day. A Restricted Area will be established in the Central Harbour from 11pm on the event day to about 1.15am on the following day. No vessels, other than ferry vessels permitted to continue services until 11.30pm, will be allowed to enter.
In addition, to ensure vessels disperse in an orderly manner, the Restricted Area will be lifted progressively after the event. The Western Cordon Line will be shifted slowly to the east under the control of government launches. Spectator vessels behind the Western Cordon Line and wishing to move to the east must follow the instructions of the MD and the Marine Police at the scene, and must move with the government launches on the cordon line to the east slowly. The Eastern Cordon Line will be lifted depending on traffic conditions in Victoria Harbour. It is anticipated that the Restricted Area will be completely lifted at about 1.15am.
Mr Li said officers from the MD and the Police will maintain order at major landing facilities after the display. In order to ensure smooth disembarkation of passengers, coxswains and crew should remind passengers to pack their personal belongings early before the vessels arrive alongside the landing steps.
The Superintendent (Operations) of Police Marine Region, Mr Joseph Li, said coxswains should observe the speed restrictions in Victoria Harbour and operate their vessels at a safe speed. He also reminded them not to drink on this festive occasion and not to operate their vessels whilst under the influence of alcohol.
He reiterated that crew and passengers of spectator vessels should pay attention to the marine traffic control and safety measures to be implemented on the event day, and co-operate with the Police and the Marine Department to ensure navigational and personal safety.
Marine Department Notice No. 157 of 2013 on the marine traffic control and safety measures has been issued and it has been uploaded to the MD's website (www.mardep.gov.hk).
Ends/Friday, December 27, 2013
Issued at HKT 16:59
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