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| Home > Publications and press releases > Press Releases | ||
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| Special marine traffic measures for fireworks display | ||
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| The Marine Department, Marine Police and
the Fire Services Department will jointly implement a series of
marine traffic arrangements in the Ma Wan and Kap Shui Mun Fairways
to ensure safety during Lantau Link opening ceremony fireworks
display on April 27 (Sunday).
At a press conference announcing the detailed arrangements this (Wednesday) afternoon, Marine Department's Senior Marine Officer/Harbour Patrol Section, Mr Chung Siu-man, said that the fireworks would be discharged from three barges moored in the Ma Wan Fairway north of the Tsing Ma Bridge. Also, a boat flotilla will be formed as part of the opening ceremony at the south of the Tsing Ma Bridge. Mr Chung said that an area encompassing the barges and boat flotilla would be established as a restricted area between 3 pm and 10.30 pm on April 27. "The restricted area," he noted,"is bounded on the north by a straight line joining Ngau Lan Tsui, northeast corner of Ma Wan Island to the northwest corner of Tsing Yi Island." "The south boundary is a straight line joining Tang Lung Chau to the Tsing Yi West coast, about 950 metres south and parallel to the Tsing Ma Bridge." Mr Chung pointed out that during the closure period from 3 pm to 10.30 pm, no vessels other than Government craft, vessels directly involved in the fireworks display and boat flotilla or those which had obtained permission from the Director of Marine would be allowed to anchor or to be underway within the restricted area. "Besides the restricted area, the waters between Ting Kau and Sham Tseng will be temporarily restricted to marine traffic from 7.45 pm to 8.20 pm, with no spectator vessels being allowed to remain in the area," Mr Chung said. "A spectator vessel gathering area will be designated south of the restricted area and east of the Kap Shui Mun Fairway." "Any spill over of spectator vessels will be directed to the Pun Shan Shek Anchorage," he added. As the marine traffic off Tsuen Wan Public Pier was expected to be very heavy on April 27, Mr Chung advised that vessels should follow instructions from the Marine Police and if possible should use other landing facilities in Victoria Harbour. He also reminded vessel operators that the marine traffic in the Kap Shui Mun Fairway would increase substantially due to the closure of the Ma Wan Fairway and that vessels transiting the Kap Shui Mun Fairway should proceed with caution and adjust speed so as to avoid unnecessary overtaking. The Marine Department has published Marine Department Notices No.65 and No.70 of 1997 to give full details of the special marine traffic measures. Free copies of the notices are available from the Victoria Marine Office on the third floor, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong. Internet users can also get the notices by trying http://www.info.gov.hk/mardep/index.htm for the Marine Department homepage. As for vessel operators Mr Chung advised those who were not familiar with the waters not proceed to the water areas in which vessels would encounter strong current and heavy traffic. "Small vessels particularly those with no decking or of a length of less than five metres should not proceed to or remain in the water areas since such vessels were vulnerable to the wash from large vessels and were not easily detected by larger vessels," he said. In addition, a master before proceeding on the voyage to view the fireworks display should make sure that:
In the evening of the fireworks display, the safe speed should not exceed five knots while a proper look-out must be maintained at all times. He said that cabin lights should be switched off while searchlights and those lights which would interfere with keeping a proper look-out should also not be used. Mr Chung noted:"There will be a large number of Marine Department, Marine Police and Fire Services vessels identified by their flashing red or blue lights stationed or patrolling in the water areas." Vessel masters should follow instructions originated from these vessels. In the event that a vessel is in danger and requires assistance, its master can:
Wednesday, April 23, 1997 |
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