Dear Members,
It has been a busy and fruitful week for the Association with meetings with, HK Based Consultants regarding the proposed new typhon shelters, with the Chief Executives Policy Office, with the HKSAR Marine Department, the ICOMIA, International Council Of Marine Industry Associations, Asia working group meeting, the HK Boating Forum and the Boat Show networking Cocktail gathering.
At the meetings with Government the HKBIA was accompanied by Joe Lynch, the CEO of ICOMIA, and Su Lin Cheah, the ICOMIA Asia Representative, who gave the Policy Unit fresh and informative information, from a global point of view, of the Associations vision for the future of not just HK Waters but also on the Greater Bay Archipelago area.
The Association wishes to make the Members aware of some of the actions that are taking place and some proposals that are planned.
The tender for the build of the new Sea Wall of the expanded Aberdeen South Typhoon Shelter has been issued.
MarDep are in discussions with the Mainland over greater ease of HK Pleasure Vessels having easier access to cruise in Greater Bay Archipelago waters. This area has over 1000 islands and 24 Marinas to visit. Although the full details are yet to be released we have been advised that the proposal is that HK registered pleasure vessels can apply for a "passport" so as to be able to visit the Mainland. Each boat will need to have AIS, Radio and Life Raft. The boat will need to be surveyed and there will be some areas where the boat will not be allowed to sail.
MarDep are concerned regarding the "safety culture" of local vessels and are working on providing a manual to assist boat owners and crew on planned safety procedures. It is hoped that safety on board can be enhanced and a records kept on board of the safety procedures adhered to. MarDep have been in consultation with Insurance Companies who have indicated that for full compliance with a new safety culture on board a discount may be possible on insurance premiums.
MarDep are setting up 5 specific pleasure craft anchorage areas in Stanley, Tai Tam, Repulse Bay, Tai O and Tai Po. At present overseas visiting yachts must have a berthing location arranged, say with a marina, before they are allowed to enter HK waters. They will now be able to moor at one of the designated anchorages to arrange inward clearance. As now, all vessels must use show insurance cover for the vessel, have their AIS and VHF switched on during their visit to HK Waters.
MarDep are considering have visiting yacht Captains conduct a short "local Knowledge" course before issuing the vessel a permit o cruise. With this visiting vessel will be able to cruise and anchor anywhere in HK Waters. They are also examining the vessel being able to use it's own tender.
Through our consultancy contacts we learned that the tender had been issued for the new breakwater at Aberdeen Typhoon South.
The Association had a fruitful discussion with the CE's Policy unit, where the ICOMIA representatives advised them on how visiting yachts, marinas, cruising grounds were organised elsewhere in the world. Government was also advised that Asia should not try to be similar to the Mediterranean or the Caribbean but to have it's own cultural identity rather than be a direct copy. Med based boats are slowly learning that there are really good cruising grounds in Asia. They just need to be informed more of the advantages of cruising in our area.
The message from both government departments is that they are open to suggestions from the industry. As such the HKBIA would like our members to advise of anything that members feel should be brought up with the two departments. It is our intention to collate these suggestions together, along with a solution to the suggestion so that we can be proactive and assist them with answers, and send these to the two departments by the end of the year. Some ideas that have been suggested so far is that the HK Ships Registry become more open to registering Superyachts. When changing flags on the sale of a vessel the vessel can stay in HK Waters instead of having to leave and come back again. MarDep should actively plan for more sheltered mooring areas rather that their old standby of repeating that there is enough sheltered water space for local vessels. We have all seen how their plan for opening up Hei Ling Chau for moorings has failed dismally. So please, if you have anything that you wish to see brought up with Government, please let the HKBIA know in the next week or two.
The HK Boating Forum, held at the RHKYC, was a great success, with lots of ideas brought forward by the panelist's for how our industry can grow in the future.
Presentations from the Forum can be accessed from the following link:
DIRECT LINK
Photos from the Forum can be accessed from the following link:
DIRECT LINK
Yours sincerely,
Lawrence Chow
