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The attention of masters/owners/agents of visiting yachts/pleasure vessels is drawn to the following information:
- Port Formalities
- Use of Visiting Yachts/Pleasure Vessels in Hong Kong
- Manning and Crew Certification
- Vessel Traffic Services
- Yacht and Boat Clubs
- Departure Clearance
- Mailing of Arrival Notice
- Communication Equipment
- Liaison with a Local Co-ordinator before Sailing
- Tropical Cyclone
- Nautical Chart
- In Case of Emergency
- Marine Safety and Rules
- Useful Reference
- Green Navigation Reference Materials
1. Port Formalities
- No vessel is allowed to enter Hong Kong waters without the permission of the Director of Marine. Not less than 24 hours prior to entering into Hong Kong waters, masters/owners/agents of visiting yachts/pleasure vessels shall apply in writing for permission by providing a Pre-Arrival Notification ("PAN") to the Marine Department (MD). The PAN of a Visiting Yacht/Pleasure Vessel should be provided to the Vessel Traffic Centre (VTC) of MD.
- Visiting yachts/pleasure vessels entering Hong Kong waters are required to complete port formalities with the Department of Health, Immigration Department and Marine Department. Please visit the homepage of Customs and Excise Department for cargo clearance and passenger clearance where appropriate. The owner or master may register an Electronic Business System (eBS) account with the Marine Department, and submit arrival information for the vessel, crew and passengers via eBS in one go for preliminary vetting by relevant departments.
- Masters/owners/agents of visiting yachts/pleasure vessels should within 24 hours after the vessels' arrival, report their arrival at one of the District Marine Offices of the Marine Department. A General Declaration Form MD 510, together with the Certificate of Registry of the vessel, a crew list (ID 207A) stamped by the Immigration Department and the Port Clearance issued by the authority of the last port of call should be produced at the time of reporting arrival. A prescribed fee of HK$58 for the arrival clearance would be charged.
2. Use of Visiting Yachts/Pleasure Vessels in Hong Kong
- According to Section 8 of the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels)(General) Regulation (Cap. 548F), except with the permission of the Director of Marine, a yacht/pleasure vessel from a place outside Hong Kong shall not navigate in the waters of Hong Kong. The master/owner of a visiting yacht/pleasure vessel may apply for a permission to navigate if there is an operational need or to cruise in Hong Kong waters for leisure purposes provided that specified requirements are met. When submitting an application, the applicant shall produce a valid third party risks insurance policy of not less than HK$5,000,000 coverage for operation of his/her vessel within the waters of Hong Kong.
- In case a visiting yacht/pleasure vessel stays in the waters of Hong Kong for more than 182 days out of 365 consecutive days, it shall be licensed in accordance with the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels)(Certification and Licensing) Regulation (Cap. 548D).
- Applications for a permission to navigate or licensing of pleasure vessels can be made at one of the District Marine Offices or eBS (only applicable when applying for permission to navigate). Applicants are advised to submit the application in advance if practicable.
- For visiting yachts using designated anchorages, applications for "Permission to Navigate" can be submitted via eBS within 30 days prior to arrival. Applications are generally processed within 3 working days. Each "Permission to Navigate" is valid for up to 30 days. If you need to renew the permission, please apply through eBS.
- Visiting yachts using designated anchorages MUST be equipped with an Automatic Identification System (AIS) and a Very High Frequency (VHF) radio equipment. While in Hong Kong waters, the AIS must remain operational at all times, and the vessel must maintain a continuous listening watch on the designated VHF channel.
3. Manning and Crew Certification
- According to Section 11 of Cap. 548F, all vessels including visiting yachts/pleasure vessels while within the waters of Hong Kong shall have sufficient qualified crew on board to carry out necessary duties to ensure the safety of the vessels and other port users.
- A visiting yacht/pleasure vessel permitted to navigate in the waters of Hong Kong shall have on board minimum safe manning which is appropriate to the vessel's size and equipment and in all cases not less than one qualified operator. These operators shall hold acceptable navigational qualifications issued or recognized by an administration. A copy of such qualification is to be submitted when applying for a permission to navigate.
- The following list of certificates are acceptable as the required navigational qualifications:-
- Certificate of competency as master, chief mate or officer in charge of a navigational watch issued by an administration under the STCW Convention recognized by the Marine Department for ocean going or coastal voyage the recognition list is available in the Marine Department website;
- Operator's certificate issued by an administration or port authority, subject to conditions where considered necessary by the Director of Marine; and
- RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Coastal/Offshore/Ocean Certificate of Competency.
- The certificate of competency held by the pleasure vessel operator shall be valid in terms of ship's length or power for the vessel to which the permission is issued.
- In addition, the operators must demonstrate familiarity of Hong Kong waters by either passing a local knowledge examination or successfully completion of an approved local knowledge training course. Copy of documentary evidence shall be submitted together with the application.
4. Vessel Traffic Services
The Vessel Traffic Centre, call sign "Mardep" maintains a continuous listening watch on channel 02, 12, 14, 63 and 67. Masters may obtain navigational information from the Centre when navigating in or near the waters of Hong Kong.
5. Yacht and Boat Clubs
Berths and repair facilities, in addition to social and recreational facilities, are available at various yacht and boat clubs which are conveniently located at various parts of Hong Kong. Masters/owners/agents of visiting yachts/pleasure vessels are advised to contact local clubs to obtain up-to-date information and to make berthing arrangements before calling Hong Kong. The popular boat and yacht clubs in Hong Kong are listed below:
6. Departure Clearance
- A Port Clearance should be obtained before a yacht/pleasure vessel leaves Hong Kong waters.
- The masters/owners/agents should produce a General Declaration Form MD 510 together with the Certificate of Registry and a Sailing Notice at one of the District Marine Offices.
- A prescribed fee of HK$58 is charged for the issue of a port clearance. The port clearance ceases to be valid after the lapse of 72 hours. The masters/owners/agents are required to re-apply for a port clearance if the intended departure is deferred for more than 72 hours after the port clearance is issued, or inform the District Marine Office if the intended departure is cancelled.
7. Mailing of Arrival Notice
- The masters/owners/agents are advised to report the arrival of vessels at the destination in the form of an Arrival Notice by AIRMAIL to the Marine Department, Hong Kong.
- Mailing of the Arrival Notice is not required for vessels sailing for open sea, Macao or other Chinese coastal ports adjacent to Hong Kong, on the assumption that such vessels are usually outbound from Hong Kong for short periods only.
8. Communication Equipment
The Director of Marine of Hong Kong co-ordinates Search and Rescue (SAR) operations in an area north of 10°North Latitude and west of 120°East Longitude. It is important to note that the degree of success of any SAR operation depends on the availability of information pertaining to the position of a vessel in distress. Masters are reminded to ensure that the communication equipment on their vessels is properly maintained at all times.
9. Liaison with a Local Coordinator before Sailing
The local coordinator as stated in item (10) of the Sailing Notice should be given as much sailing information as possible, as he reports directly to the Marine Department should he discover that the vessel arrival at the destination is overdue or other concerns of the safety of the vessel. The precise and comprehensive sailing information enables save of lives at sea expeditiously in SAR operations.
10. Tropical Cyclone
Tropical cyclones in this area are often severe with winds frequently exceeding 150km/hr. Masters are advised to take early precautionary action whenever any tropical cyclone warning signal is issued. Latest tropical cyclones and weather information can be obtained from the Hong Kong Observatory.
11. Nautical Chart
Masters are advised to carry up-to-date nautical charts and publications on board for the intended voyage. Details of bilingual (Chinese and English) nautical charts and publications can be obtained from the Hydrographic Office of the Marine Department.
12. In Case of Emergency
When your vessel encounters emergency situations, distress or accident, you should call the Vessel Traffic Centre (VTC), either on V.H.F. (channel 02, 12, 14, 63, 67) or by telephone at 2233 7801 or 2233 7808. Alternatively, you may contact the Hong Kong Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre by telephone at 2233 7999 immediately. You should include details of the emergency in your call.
13. Marine Safety and Rules
- Safe Navigation (Do's)
✔ Slow down in adverse weather and closely monitor the latest weather information issued by the Hong Kong Observatory
✔ Pay attention to the Marine Department Notices and Notices to Mariners published on the Marine Department"s website for the latest navigational guidance and information
✔ When encountering marine mammals (including Chinese white dolphins) or sea turtles, maintain a safe speed, distance and course; do not touch, chase, approach or disturb marine life
✔ Fish only by specified methods, including hand-lining, hand net, without any fishing gear and SCUBA diving
✔ Equipped with distress signals, especially when operating at night
✔ Stop immediately and wait for instructions if the signal "L" (._..) is made to you by light, sound or flag from a Government or Police launch
✔ Use horn or horn signal only when necessary - Strict Prohibitions (Don'ts)
× Don't operate a vessel under the influence of alcohol or drugs
× Don't rent out the yacht or carry passengers for reward
× Don't enter statutory restricted areas
× Don't anchor in principal fairways or designated restricted areas
× Don't drop anchor or come into contact with the seabed in areas marked as "Submarine Cable Area" or "Cable Reserve"
× Don't occupy public piers or landing steps for an extended period of time (they may only be used for embarkation and disembarkation of passengers within a reasonable timeframe)
× Marine littering, including waste generated by daily operation of yachts, is strictly prohibited
× Don't make or emit annoying noise on board (e.g. improper use of loudspeakers/amplifiers, engaging in rowdy activities, etc.)
× Don't proceed at a speed exceeding 10 knots or carry out water-skiing in a marine park or marine reserve
× Don't swim, dive or carry out any boating activities within a marine reserve
× Anchoring, mooring, fishing, hunting, disturbing and collecting animals and plants in a marine park or marine reserve without permission are strictly prohibited
× Don't enter in Fish Culture Zones
× Don't anchor in "No-anchoring area" and area with corals.
14. Useful Reference
- Hong Kong Shipping Directory (English version only)
- MARINE DEPARTMENT NOTICE NO. 119/2026 – Establishment of Designated Anchorages for Visiting Yachts