A Marine Department spokesman today (Monday) reminded owners, masters and person-in-charge of pleasure vessels that their boats are not allowed to be used for commercial purpose.

"Spot checks by Marine Department officers will be conducted from time to time and prosecution actions will be taken against offenders," the spokesman said.

"Where a breach of any condition of a licence of a pleasure vessel is committed, the person-in-charge and the licenced owner will each be guilty of an offence and will be liable on conviction to a fine of $5,000," he stressed.

Marine Department officers conducted an operation in Sai Kung last Friday to check the licences of vessels engaging in cuttlefish fishing and other leisure activities.

Plainclothes officers observed a total of 40 vessels boarding and disembarking passengers at Sai Kung Public Pier during the operation, but none of them practiced payment by individual ticketing.

Marine Department officers also intercepted 15 vessels to check their licences, but no offence was detected.

"Passengers on board the pleasure vessels were found to be either friends of the vessel owners or members of groups which have chartered agreement with the owners," the spokesman said.

"It is encouraging to see that organisers of launching activities and owners of pleasure vessels have abided by the law," he added.

But he reiterated that members of the public should choose vessels with launch/ferry licences for launching activities so that they could be covered with greater protection in case of accidents.

During the operation, Marine Department Notices were distributed to owners or person-in-charge of the vessels to remind them of navigational safety and the proper use of landing steps.

"They should always maintain proper lookouts to enable an early and accurate assessment of the traffic situation, and to take proper actions to avoid the development of a close quarter situation and subsequent collision," the spokesman said.

"They should also take heed of the speed limit of five knots for pleasure vessels at various zones in Tolo Harbour, Port Shelter and Rocky Harbour, Hong Kong Island, Lamma and Cheung Chau which is implemented on any day from July 1 to September 15," he said.

"Such a speed limit precludes the towing of water skiers within the zones," he added.

Monday 2 August, 1999