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With regard to the 2014 Lunar New Year Fireworks Display to be held on February 1, the Marine Department (MD) and the Police today (January 29) reminded the public of the marine traffic control and safety measures to be followed by crew members and passengers of spectator vessels.
The Senior Marine Officer (Harbour Patrol Section) of the MD, Mr Warren Li, said at a press conference today that the MD will strengthen the inspection of spectator vessels on the event day to ensure that they meet safety requirements. The requirements include providing sufficient life-saving appliances on board, ensuring that children wear a lifejacket at all times and that coxswains keep a passenger and crew list on board in case it is needed.
He noted that if any vessel fails to meet these requirements, inspecting officers will issue directions at the scene and request the person in charge of the vessel to take remedial action. If the person in charge of the vessel refuses to comply with the directions, the department will take the necessary follow-up action, such as prohibiting the vessel from departing or considering prosecution.
Mr Li said the MD will implement measures to control marine traffic on the event day. A "Closed Area" will be established in the waters off the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai where barges for the fireworks display will be anchored, from 2pm to about 11pm. All vessels will be prohibited from entering this area. A "Restricted Area" will also be established in the Central Harbour from 7pm to about 9.15pm. No vessels, other than authorised vessels and scheduled ferry vessels permitted to continue services until 7.30pm, will be allowed to enter.
For landside crowd control, all public piers and landing steps within the Restricted Area will be closed temporarily from 7pm to about 9pm. Buffer Zones at Kowloon Public Pier, Kwun Tong Public Pier and Central Pier 9 and 10 will be established immediately after the event for safe and orderly disembarkation of passengers, he said.
In addition, to ensure vessels disperse in an orderly manner, the Restricted Area will be lifted progressively after the event. The Western Cordon Line will be lifted first at about 9pm. Spectator vessels behind the Western Cordon Line and those wishing to move to the east must follow the instructions of the MD and the Police at the scene. The Eastern Cordon Line will be lifted later depending on traffic conditions in Victoria Harbour. It is anticipated that the Restricted Area will be completely lifted by about 9.15pm.
Mr Li said officers from the MD and the Police will maintain order at major landing facilities after the fireworks display. In order to ensure the smooth disembarkation of passengers, coxswains and crew members should remind passengers to pack their personal belongings early before the vessels arrive alongside the landing steps as well as assisting passengers to disembark.
The MD and the Marine Police will also strengthen inspections, especially on speeding and overloading. Mr Li reminded coxswains not to speed or overload, and appealed to coxswains and passengers to follow the guidance of the MD and the Police at the scene.
The Acting Senior Superintendent (Operations) of Police Marine Region, Mr Cheung Mei-hon, said coxswains should observe the speed restrictions in Victoria Harbour and operate their vessels at a safe speed. He also reminded them not to operate their vessels under the influence of alcohol.
He also appealed to the crews and passengers of spectator vessels to pay attention to the various marine traffic control and safety measures to be implemented on the event day, and to co-operate with the Police and the Marine Department to ensure navigational and personal safety.
Marine Department Notice No. 13 of 2014 on the marine traffic control and safety measures has been issued and is available for viewing on the MD's website (www.mardep.gov.hk).
Ends/Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Issued at HKT 17:40
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