The Government is proposing amendments to the Seventh Schedule of the Shipping and Port Control Regulations to establish a new Naval Anchorage and extend the present Yau Ma Tei Anchorage.

A Marine Department spokesman today (Tuesday) said that according to the Defence Lands Agreement signed between the Chinese and British Governments at the Joint Liaison Group meeting on June 30, 1994, the Garrison would establish a naval anchorage off the Naval Base at Stonecutters Island after July 1, 1997.

At the same time, the existing naval anchorage area near Tamar Naval Base off Wan Chai would be discontinued, he said.

Turning to the Yau Ma Tei Anchorage, the spokesman said it was established in 1996 to accommodate vessels not exceeding 100 metres in length.

"Due to its convenient location, it is the most popular anchorage for river trade and small sea-going vessels," he said.

"As the anchorage is always crowded with excessive number of vessels which has caused a number of minor collisions in the past, it is necessary to enlarge the anchorage to ease the congestion and avoid accidents," he added.

The Shipping and Port Control Regulation (Amendment of Seventh Schedule) Notice 1999 will be gazetted on Friday (November 5).

Tuesday, 2 November 1999