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Following is a question by the Hon Alice Mak and a written reply by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, in the Legislative Council today (June 11):
Question:
It is learnt that quite a number of water sports centres under/recognised by national sports associations (NSAs) of water sports and yacht clubs organise various training programmes on water sports such as windsurfing, sailing and canoeing, and provide relevant gear for hiring by members of the public. As there have been accidents involving the use of such gear and a child even drowned while attending such a programme, there are views that the authorities should put in place a regulatory mechanism, including the introduction of a licensing system for water sports centres, so as to ensure the safety of participants in water sports. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) whether it knows the information on the water sports centres under/recognised by various NSAs, including their names, locations, the institutions to which they belong and the types of training programmes they provide;
(2) whether it knows the number and details of water sports accidents involving the water sports centres mentioned in (1) in the past 10 years, including the causes of such accidents, the resultant casualties and the names of the centres involved;
(3) whether it knows if various NSAs have formulated safety requirements in respect of the water sports training programmes and the hiring of the relevant gear; if they have, of the following details of such requirements: (i) the number of lifeguards, (ii) the number of lifeboats, (iii) the safety gear that the lifeboats are required to be equipped with, (iv) the qualifications of coaches, (v) the ratio of coaches to students, (vi) the waters for practice, (vii) swimming proficiency required of the participants, (viii) the qualifications that hirers of such gear are required to have attained and the waters that they are allowed to enter for doing water sports, and (ix) the number of inspections of the water sports centres conducted by representatives of NSAs; if no safety requirements have been formulated, the reasons for that, and whether the authorities will introduce measures to enhance the awareness of NSAs of water sports safety;
(4) whether the authorities will discuss with various NSAs and study the setting up of a licensing system for water sports centres, so as to enhance water sports safety;
(5) as it has been reported that the programmes provided by some NSAs to water sports coaches for licence renewal are incomprehensive, e.g. some of these programmes only involve viewing reference videos, whether the authorities received any complaint about such programmes in the past 10 years; if they did, of the follow-up actions taken by the authorities and the responses given by the relevant NSAs; and
(6) given that the water sports centres under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) require that hirers of craft must be holders of relevant certificates and be proficient in swimming, whether the authorities will consider requiring water sports centres and gear rental shops to follow the practice of LCSD and stipulate qualifications for hiring water sports gear; if not, of the authoritiesˇ¦ measures to ensure the safety of hirers?
Reply:
President,
(1) The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) currently manages five water sports centres, namely the Tai Mei Tuk Water Sports Centre (WSC) in Tai Po, the Chong Hing WSC and the Jockey Club Wong Shek WSC in Sai Kung, and the St. Stephenˇ¦s Beach WSC and the Stanley Main Beach WSC in Southern District. All the water sports centres are teaching centres or schools recognised by the Hong Kong Sailing Federation (HKSF) and the Windsurfing Association of Hong Kong (WAHK). The centres employ qualified coaches of the relevant "national sports associations" (NSAs), as required under the training schemes and guidelines of the two NSAs, to provide sailing and windsurfing training from basic to advanced levels as well as skills clinics, and to organise marine excursions for the public. As for canoeing, the Hong Kong Canoe Union (HKCU) has not put in place arrangements similar to those made by the HKSF and the WAHK and hence does not designate any local water sports centres as a recognised teaching centre or school. The five water sports centres managed by LCSD follow the safety instructions and guidelines issued by the HKCU when organising and conducting canoe training programmes, and ensure compliance with the requirements of the HKCU.
(2) Between 2004 and 2013, there were 143 accidents at the five water sports centres managed by LCSD. The accidents fall into the following two broad categories: (1) users feeling unwell; (2) users accidentally injured whilst operating a boat or board or paddling. A breakdown of the accidents by centre and by type is set out in Annex.
In addition, there were two fatal accidents in 2010 and 2012, at the Stanley Main Beach WSC and the Jockey Club Wong Shek WSC respectively, when member of the public became ill and fell into the water whilst windsurfing, and were rescued from the water. In both cases, the victims were given first aid and sent to hospital by the staff of the water sports centres, but finally succumbed despite attempted resuscitation.
(3) All five water sports centres managed by LCSD apply for recognition from the HKSF and the WAHK every year as teaching centres or schools. Both NSAs have set standards and requirements for compliance by such centres and schools, which cover land-based ancillary facilities, sports equipment, teaching aids, communication equipment, first aid kits and rescue boat equipment. The relevant staff members of the centres and schools also need to possess recognised qualifications in teaching, first aid and rescue boat operation. As for the operation of the centres and schools, both NSAs require that coaches follow the training syllabuses and schedules, coach-to-student ratio and safety guidelines as laid down by the NSAs when teaching or conducting sailing and windsurfing activities. The HKSF and the WAHK carry out regular inspections on the water sports centres managed the LCSD, with the HKSF conducting inspections at least once every two years, and the WAHK making annual inspections. Canoeing activities at LCSD water sports centres are conducted in accordance with the requirements of the relevant NSA in respect of coaches' qualifications, coach-to-student ratio, equipment for paddling, training syllabus, safety guidelines for paddling and points to note for sea trips, so as to ensure compliance with the requirements of the NSAs.
All water sports centres managed by LCSD follow the guidelines issued by the relevant NSAs and employ qualified coaches to provide water sports training to the public. Participants in training programmes and craft hirers at the water sports centres are required to stay within designated waters. In addition, lifeguard services are provided at the water sports centres. Apart from the lifeguards stationed on the shore, there are patrolling lifeguards on power boats to assist craft users on the sea.
(4) At present, we have no plans for a licensing system for water sports centres. As mentioned above, the operation of the five water sports centres under LCSD management, including their activities and safety guidelines, is in line with the guidelines issued by the relevant NSAs, and applications are made to the relevant NSAs for recognition annually.
(5) In the past 10 years, the LCSD has not received any complaint about the syllabus of the programmes for the renewal of water sports certificates for coaches.
(6) Members of the public should pay attention to their own safety and that of others when engaged in water sport. To enhance public awareness of water sport safety issues, LCSD organises an annual Water Sports Safety Seminar jointly with the related departments, marine recreational associations, water sports enthusiasts and representatives of the industry to promote water sport safety through concerted efforts by the industry and the public. With the approach of summer, the LCSD will step up publicity to promote water sport safety.
Ends/Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Issued at HKT 12:25
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