>Press Releases Home > Publications and press releases > Press Releases Traffic ban in central harbour during National Day fireworks display The central Victoria Harbour will be closed to marine traffic on October 1(Monday) from 9 pm to 11 pm to facilitate the 2001 National Day Fireworks Display. A Marine Department (MD) spokesman said that they would implement the marine traffic measures in conjunction with the Marine Police (Marpol) and the Fire Services Department (FSD) to ensure safety and smooth traffic at sea. On that day, two barges and five pontoons in the mid-stream off Wan Chai will fire the fireworks starting from 10 pm. Their surrounding waters will be closed from 3.30 pm to 1 am the following day (October 2) to all traffic, except Government launches, workboats involved in the show, or authorised vessels. From 9 pm to 11 pm, the extent of the traffic ban will be enlarged to cover all central harbour. Vessels will be prohibited from entering or remaining in the restricted zone, which is bounded on the east by a line joining Hung Hom Railway Station Cargo Pier and the breakwater at Kellet Island of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, and on the west by a line joining the southwest extremity of the Ocean Terminal and the Central Government Pier. "Special permission will only be given to public transport vessels and those for the essential operation of the port," the spokesman said, adding that applications from spectator vessels will not be entertained. He pointed out that waters to the west of the banning zone, namely waters off the Western District, is not a good viewing location due to rough sea and heavy traffic and spectator vessels wishing to sail to the east side should do so before the closure of the central harbour. Landing steps at Queen's Pier, Lung King Street, Lung Wui Road, Kowloon Public Pier, Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade and Hung Hom Ferry East will be closed to marine traffic from 9 pm to 11 pm. To ensure orderly disembarkation of passengers after the show, sterile areas will be set up at Queen's Pier and Kowloon Public Pier from around 10 pm on that day. These sterile areas will include waters streching from the piers to a distance of 90 metres offshore. All vessels have to wait at designated gathering areas for their turn to enter from the east, berth alongside the piers, and depart from the west. MD and Marpol launches will be on site to enforce the traffic measures. Queen's Pier should be avoided if possible and spectator vessels are encouraged to use the nearby Lung Wui Road landing steps. For safety reasons, small craft should not visit the central harbour in view of the heavy traffic. All spectator vessels should proceed at a safe speed; maintain proper lookout; and avoid using searchlights that obstruct lookouts and affect safe navigation. Before a voyage, coxswains or masters should ensure passengers aboard know where to find and how to use life saving appliances; all children wear lifejackets; and a passenger list be prepared in case of emergencies. The carrying capacity of a vessel must not be exceeded. Emergency assistance can be sought from Marine Department through VHF radio on channel 16 (call sign "Hong Kong Rescue"); from Marine Police by dialing 2803 6240-1 or 999; or by issuing distress signals.  For details of marine traffic arrangements, please read Marine Department Notice No. 98 of 2001 at http://www.gov.hk/mardep/index.htm. Tuesday, September 25, 2001
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