A spokesman for the Marine Department (MD) reminded the public today (April 26) that, for their own safety, they should use services provided by local pleasure vessels that are allowed by the MD to be let for hire or carry passengers for reward.
 
     The MD has since this January uploaded to its departmental website a list of vessels endorsed to be let for hire or reward (www.mardep.gov.hk/e_files/en/pub_services/LIST_CLASS_IV_LET_FOR_HIRE.pdf) and will keep updating it for reference by the public. The MD has also generated a QR code shown on the pamphlet "Notes for Local Pleasure Vessels (Class IV Vessels)" and posters for display in popular marine tourism spots. Members of the public can simply scan the QR code and verify if a local pleasure vessel is allowed by the MD to be let for hire or carry passengers for reward.
 
     Under the law, a local pleasure vessel must not be let for hire or reward unless it has the Director of Marine's endorsement and is holding a valid certificate of inspection or certificate of survey, a third party risks insurance policy, an operating licence, and a written charter agreement or written hire-purchase agreement.
 
     To safeguard navigation safety, apart from conducting daily patrols and law enforcement within Hong Kong waters, the MD also works closely with the Marine Police to conduct joint operations in different parts of Hong Kong waters from time to time to combat illegal activities including illegal carriage of passengers, speeding, overloading, and violation of licensing conditions and the relevant marine legislation. From April 2021 to yesterday (April 25), the MD conducted a total of 214 enforcement operations on its own and 117 joint operations with the Marine Police, covering black spots such as Sai Kung, Tai Po, Tai O, Wong Shek Pier and Aberdeen. Some of the operations involved deployment of personnel to pose as passengers to collect evidence.
 
     If a vessel is found being let for hire or carrying passengers for reward without a relevant licence or the Director of Marine's endorsement, the owner, agent and/or operator will be prosecuted. From April 2021 to yesterday, the MD instituted a total of 22 prosecutions related to the use of vessels for illegal passenger-carrying services.

Ends/Tuesday, April 26, 2022
Issued at HKT 15:00

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