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Boating and water sports are popular in summer. To enhance understanding of water sport safety, representatives of the Marine Department, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and the Hong Kong Police Force held a seminar on boat safety and water sport safety today (July 31) for the industry and water sport enthusiasts. The seminar was organised so that participants could exchange views on the latest situation in water sports and to promote safety messages in order to avoid accidents.
The seminar was conducted at the Sai Kung Jockey Club Town Hall, where representatives of government departments and water sports experts reminded members of the public to pay attention to the following safety measures when taking part in water sports:
- Ensure qualified persons are handling a boat, always proceed at a safe speed and do not exceed the number of persons a boat is permitted to carry;
- Keep a safe distance between vessels and follow regulations for preventing collisions at sea, and never leave the helm unattended while underway;
- Keep a proper lookout when driving a boat;
- Avoid generating a large wave when close to small boats;
- Do not exceed the speed limit in speed restricted zones (5 knots);
- Slow down and proceed with extra caution when passing other boats and entering areas with divers or swimmers, near restricted zones, mariculture rafts and swimming beaches;
- Avoid anchoring too close to other boats as this may be dangerous;
- Diver's flag ("A" flag) should be hoisted on a boat to indicate that diving activities are taking place, reminding other vessels to keep clear and drive slowly;
- Find out the weather forecast beforehand, do sufficient warm-up exercises and choose the right area of water for activities;
- Avoid drugs or alcohol before taking part in water sports;
- Do not dive or participate in water sports alone.
For more details on the 22 speed restricted zones in Hong Kong waters, please visit www.mardep.gov.hk/en/pub_services/ocean/pvguide.html.¡@
The departments are committed to promoting water sport safety messages. Beyond the seminars, they will also deliver the latest information on safety awareness to the industry and the public. A new Announcement in the Public Interest on water sport safety was jointly produced this year by the Marine Department and the Hong Kong Police Force to deliver water sport safety messages to the general public.
Officers of the Hong Kong Police Force and the Marine Department will also continue to step up their patrol activities in speed restricted zones, waters in the vicinity of popular beaches and water sport sites with boating activities, and will take action against any illegal or reckless boating activities. LCSD lifeguards will also keep an eye out for boating activities at beaches and adjacent waters. They will alert officers of the Marine Department and the Hong Kong Police Force to take law enforcement action against offenders when necessary.
Ends/Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Issued at HKT 21:12
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