News - 消息

There are new regulations that have been taken in by MarDep on Li Ion battery for both house and propulsion. Members please note: 

CHAPTER XI SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR BATTERY POWERED VESSELS

1       Application to Battery Powered Vessels

1.1    This chapter applies to local vessels that use electric power for the propulsion or general electrical loads with an installed battery capacity greater than 600Wh using cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes.  Such vessels shall comply with the requirements of this chapter in addition to any other applicable requirements of this code of practice.

2       Requirements for Battery Powered Vessels

2.1    Batteries shall be constructed and tested in accordance with the relevant IEC Publications or equivalent where applicable.

2.2    Any lithium-ion batteries and battery systems with a capacity greater than 600 Wh installed a local vessel shall comply with the Technical Specification Small Craft – Lithium-ion batteries (ISO/TS 23625:2021) or equivalent.   

2.3    Any local vessels of 24 meters or above, or any of the vessel type listed below, shall comply with the relevant rules published by an Authorized Organization for Electric Propulsion Systems or equivalent.

o Class I vessels; 

o Dangerous goods carriers;

o Oil / Noxious liquid substance / Gas carriers; 

o Special purpose vessels;

o Mobile fishing vessels; and

o Any Class II vessels that may navigate within river trade limits.

2.4 Any local vessels which do not belong to the vessels in paragraph 2.3 shall comply with the following:

(a) (c) (d) Vessels shall be constructed to the International Standards – Small Craft – Electric Propulsion System (ISO 16315:2016) and Small craft — Fire protection (ISO 9094), or their equivalent.

(b) Batteries shall be positioned aft of the collision bulkhead. 

(c) Boundaries of battery compartment which is part of a vessel’s structure orenclosures shall be of equivalent structural integrity and A-60 fire integrity.

(d) A battery compartment shall be fitted with fire/heat detectors or detection system where suitable.

(e) A battery compartment with combined stored energy over 50 kWh in lithium ion batteries shall be equipped with a type of fixed fire extinguishing system recommended as suitable for suppressing battery fire by the battery maker of the battery/ies.

Members purchasing Li-Ion batteries with a combined rating of above 600Wh should ensure that the batteries, whether they are for propulsion or house use, are rated as IEC 62619 or IEC 62620.

Li-Ion batteries MUST have a battery management system to disconnect the batteries if they reach over-temperature, high/low voltage and charging/ discharging current limits. Batteries should be located away from hot areas, be securely fastened down, be away from water and have a battery disconnect service fitted.

A fire detection system should be fitted when Li-Ion batteries are in an enclosed compartment. Batteries should not be in a habitable space unless they can be vented outside the space.  More information can be found in ISO/TS 23625.

COP Class 4 - Chpt XI - Battery requirement.pdf

 

From the 15 April 2025 a Medical Fitness Certificate must be submitted to MarDep when applying for a new Pleasure Vessel Certificate of Competency.

The same goes for those renewing their PVOC from the age of 65 years. Click the link: lvacp11_24.pdf

REMINDER: the above legislation and associated regulations came into effect on 01 January 2025. 

"A BILL to provide for restrictions in connection with operating vessels, and performing certain duties on board vessels, in the waters of Hong Kong after consumption or use of alcohol or drugs; to provide for procedures to obtain specimens of breath, blood and urine, and to test for the presence of alcohol and drugs in the specimens and for impairment by drugs; to provide for disqualification from operating vessels and performing certain duties on board vessels on conviction of certain offences; to provide for enforcement powers; and to provide for related matters."

Any questions? Actually, yes, there are a few questions, mostly concerning the definition of "person in charge", but all active boaters need to read this and be familiar with it anyway. 

It's 86 pages long...

gld_eng_20231222_Marine Safety (Alcohol and Drugs) Bill.pdf

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uADSYgUcr10

The HKBIA has sent a letter to the Chief Executive and Secretary for Development to request for specific actions to be addressed to support the industry. 

Letter and PDF can be accessed from the link below:

LETTER

PRESENTATION

Dear Member,

The HKBIA has been aiming to conduct an economic impact study to highlight how important our industry is in Hong Kong. We shall use this to gain support from the various HK Govt departments and to lobby for a dedicated committee for the Leisure Boating Industry within the HK Government.

We would like to invite you to participate in our survey to share sales data that can be extrapolated to identify the economic impact our industry has to the Hong Kong economy, an unprecedented study that will put us on the city’s economic map and allow us for more impactful initiatives and discussions.

The data is going to be collected anonymously and will be collated by our independent Honorary Treasurer, Andrew Barclay from Stepping Stone.

We hope to collect all data by 25 October and look forward to share the results by the end of October with the HKBIA community. We hope to leverage this study to continue our dialogue with the HK Government.  

 

For BOAT SALES – Yacht Dealers, Brokers

https://form.jotform.com/242608797822468

 

For CHARTER – Companies, Agencies

https://form.jotform.com/242609172904457

 

Your support here is invaluable to all of the industry in Hong Kong. We thank you for your participation.

For reference, we also attach our letter that was sent to the Chief Executive on 11 Sept 2024. 

File can be accessed here: 

20240911_Letter to CE.pdf

Yours sincerely,

Lawrence Chow

Chair of HKBIA

Dear Members,

Please refer to the attached letter that was sent to the Chief Executive on 11 September to seek for more support from the Government.

20240911_Letter to CE.pdf

Yours sincerely,

Lawrence Chow

Chair of HKBIA

Dear Members,

Please refer to the attached flyer:

20240730 Shipping decarbonization event flyer.pdf

Invitation from HKUST:

"I hope this message finds you well.

On behalf of the HKUST Institute for the Environment, I'm writing to cordially invite your club and members to our upcoming seminar on local vessels decarbonisation (mainly electrification). The event is to support the HKSAR Government's goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. At this event, we are honored to have the Legislative Council Member Mr. Yick Chi-ming, representatives from local craft and river trade vessel operators, as well as experts on electric vessels and charging infrastructure, to deliver speeches or engage in discussions. 

The event will be held from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm on 30 July 2024, using Cantonese and at the SME One Foyer in the Hong Kong Productivity Council building. Attached is the event flyer with registration form for your necessary action and to share with your colleagues.

Please let me know should you have any questions. We look forward to meeting you at the event."

Dear All,

Please refer to the below notice from Marine Department:

Air Pollution Control (Marine Light Diesel) Regulation, Cap 311Y.pdf