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First online Asia Boating Dialogue a success _ IBI20200922.pdf

Joining the sister ship SL86, which arrived in February 2020 in Hong Kong, this new Sanlorenzo SL86 has been commissioned by an owner who appreciates the unique bespoke feel of the Sanlorenzo yachts. It’s a perfect way to enjoy the outdoors in style while avoiding the crowds and interactions of conventional travel.

Sanlorenzo has channelled its decades of experience into the SL86, combining signature styling with new innovations and an unparalleled level of customisation within its category. The bulwarks are cut to let the larger side windows catch as much light as possible so guests can enjoy the sea view, even from the sofa of the salon. This space on SL86 is wider and has more light, but doesn’t affect the typical Sanlorenzo sober line.

On board, you’ll find a wide interior space, filled with light thanks to generous side windows, and an elegant, soothing interior design with obsessive attention to detail and a bespoke finish. There are four comfortable cabins below decks offering accommodation for eight guests, including master and VIP suites and two twin cabins, all with ensuite bathrooms. This makes the SL86 perfectly suited to explore Hong Kong’s further bays including Sai Kung, Double Haven, Plover Cove, Mirs Bay, Soko Islands and more.

To find out more about Sanlorenzo yachts in Asia and our quick deliveries available on some models, please contact our expert team at sanlorenzo@simpsonmarine.com

The Lantau Yacht Club (LYC) welcomed the first yacht member and first visiting yacht on 30 August 2020, marking a key milestone of Hong Kong’s newest state-of-the-art marina. The soft opening involves the opening of the Marina Office, and Phase 1 of the Marina and the service yard. The 45-feet Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 479 sailed into the all-new Lantau Yacht Club marina closely followed by Ferretti Yachts 670 and they were welcomed by the marina staff.

“We are delighted that Lantau Yacht Club has embarked on this new journey,” said Mr Victor Cha, Deputy Chairman & Managing Director of HKR International Limited (HKRI). “This is an important milepost for both Hong Kong Resort Co. Ltd. (Hong Kong Resort) and the yachting community in the region as LYC setts a new standard and direction for marinas and superyacht industry development in Hong Kong and in Asia.”

Phase 1 of the Marina comprises about two-thirds of the total berths ranging from 10 m (33 feet) to 60 m (197 feet). The simple yet chic Marina Office will be the key gathering point before and after cruising trips. It is also the office of the Member Service, Concierge and Marina Operations teams who offer one-stop seamless service for all members and crew. Right in front of the Marina Office by the shore is the lawn patio where everyone can chill out and enjoy the captivating sea view of the South China Sea.

The first LYC member, a long-time Discovery Bay resident was delighted with how the LYC Marina has shaped up. “It’s sturdy breakwater and pontoons and the stringent security measures are very reassuring, particularly during the typhoon season”.  The new member went on to say that he had been looking forward to this new facility, with its proximity to his home.  “The ease of access to my boat, and the marina services, offer a lot of convenience, and mean that we can enjoy the beauty of local waters at any time, while making a long-term base for exploration further afield in the future.”

The Italian luxury yacht builder Ferretti Group also recommends LYC as a new berthing option for current and potential yacht owners. “It is our pleasure to bring our new Ferretti Yachts 670 to the highly anticipated LYC Marina. We are impressed by the world-class infrastructure and provisions, as well as the professional team. LYC is one of the few new marinas opened in the region in the last decade. We believe more visiting yachts will come to Hong Kong and berth at LYC as it offers custom-built superyacht berths that were not available before,” said Mr Andrew Pitchford, Sales & Marketing Manager Asia Pacific of Ferretti Group.

Refurbishment works of the remaining sections of the Marina and the clubhouse are in full swing with expected completion by the end of this year. More members will be moving into the LYC Marina soon while certain number of berths have been allocated for visiting yachts from overseas, as well as for yachts looking for safe shelter amidst the typhoon season.

About Lantau Yacht Club

Located in the northeast of Lantau Island, Lantau Yacht Club (“LYC” / the “Club”) is one of the four premium membership clubs in Discovery Bay, Hong Kong’s renowned international residential community and a unique leisure destination developed by Hong Kong Resort Company Ltd. The Club first started operations in 1989 as Discovery Bay Marina Club and has been closed for a major renovation since 2019. The new marina is scheduled to fully open in the fourth quarter of 2020 with a brand-new design, modern technology, and superyacht berths to meet the needs of Hong Kong’s growing sailing and pleasure boating community.

For further information please contact: info@lantauyachtclub.com

www.lantauyachtclub.com

 

 

The Asia Boating Dialogue 2020 will run as a free-to-register webinar, in two 120-minute sessions on the 22 and 29 September 2020. Organised by the Singapore Boating Industry Association (SBIA) in collaboration with the Hong Kong Boating Industry Association (HKBIA), the event is supported by ICOMIA.

The Dialogue series was inaugurated in Singapore in 2015 as ICOMIA - The Asian Dialogue. It was an invitation-only event designed to engage the Asian boating community and help it become more institutionalized and organise collective thinking. It was subsequently promoted as the Asia Boating Forum.

As previously, the event consists of country updates, followed by a Round Table Discussion. Registered viewers will also have the opportunity of submitting questions for discussion. A limited number of spots are being made available for sponsors and special interest groups.

Session One will be held on Tuesday 22 September 2020 (16:00 SGT / 08:00 UTC+8) and feature a South & Southeast Asian country grouping consisting of India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

Session Two will run the following week on Tuesday 29 September 2020 (16:00 SGT / 08:00 UTC+8) and feature an East & Northeast Asian grouping consisting of China, Hong Kong & Macau, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam.

The Asia Boating Dialogue is supported by the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA), the world body for the recreational boating industry, of which SBIA & HKBIA are members.

SBIA chair YP Loke said, “Running the Dialogue as a webinar enables us to reach a wider audience than in previous events. It will engage a new audience who would not normally travel abroad to a boat show. We need to start a conversation about boating in Asia, join the dots between countries and build a shared community with the same goals and aspirations for boating in Asia. Although Covid19 has caused borders in most countries to close, we all need to work with our respective agencies to find ways to re-open borders and revive nautical tourism”. 

HKBIA chair & ICOMIA Executive Committee member Lawrence Chow said, “in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Asia Boating Dialogue provides the perfect platform for regional industry leaders to share the current difficulties they are facing and provide ideas for how the industry in Asia can adapt to the post Covid-19 era. It also opens up the opportunity to identify and understand the typical obstacles for growth in Asia. Through discussions, we will get a better insight for the current state of the industry and set the blueprint for recovery in Asia.”

ICOMIA Secretary-General Udo Kleinitz said, “We are pleased to continue supporting this event which ICOMIA initiated in 2015. We want to continue our engagement in Asia, build our base, and help our members promote the boating industry in their countries. This collaboration between two of our Asian members is a particularly welcomed move”.

The event website www.asiaboating.org is being developed and will be launched shortly.

For further information event@singaporeboating.org

In relation to the latest group gathering restrictions, the Hong Kong Boating Industry Association has verified the following from the Food and Health Bureau & Marine Police:

1. Privately owned Class IV vessels are classified as “private spaces”. As they are not “public spaces”, the group gathering regulation (Cap. 599G) does not apply.

2. Class IV Charter Boats that are hired for social gatherings are classified as “Party Rooms”. Therefore under Cap. 599F Schedule 2, are required to be suspended till 28 July 2020

In light of the above, the Hong Kong Boating Industry Association are cautious of the overriding importance of public hygiene and health issues over allowing gatherings on private boats. Given that these gatherings may not be considered to carry a critical or imminent purpose, we maintain that the restriction imposed by the Regulation should be adhered to and that the further statement / notice issued should reflect the same. Please note that this does not constitute as legal advice.

Please find the written statements below from the F&H Bureau and Marine Police:

1. Privately owned Class IV vessels are classified as “private spaces”. As they are not “public spaces”, the group gathering regulation (Cap. 599G) does not apply.

Food & Health Bureau:

“The epidemic situation of COVID-19 in Hong Kong has undergone drastic changes recently. The Government has gazetted directions under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation (Cap. 599G) on 13 July 2020 to further tighten social distancing measures. Amongst them, the number of persons allowed in group gatherings in public places will be tightened from 50 to 4, with effective from 15 July 2020. Unless exempted, the prohibition on group gatherings at public places will continue during the 14-day period till 28 July 2020(https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202007/14/P2020071400010.htm).

According to Cap. 599G (https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap599G), a public place is referred to a place where members of the public can get access to from time to time. If a venue allows access by members of the pubic from time to time, such venue would fall under the definition of public places. Hence, the requirements regarding group gatherings of not more than 4 people and a distance of 1.5 metres or more between different groups etc. under Cap. 599G will be applicable.

The Government strongly urges the public to stay at home as much as possible, go out less often unless necessary, and avoid dining out and unnecessary social activities (including private gatherings), to fight the epidemic together and prevent the virus from continuing to spread in the community. The Government will continue to closely monitor the development of the epidemic situation and review the various measures in place from time to time with a view to making suitable adjustments taking into account all relevant factors. For further information and latest updates, please read and regularly visit the COVID-19 thematic website (https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/index.html).“

 

Q&A between HKBIA and Marine Police:

“With regards the 'official number of people allowed on board a pleasure vessel' :- 

HKBIA: Is it limited to four persons ?

MARPOL: For social gatherings under the regulations, it applies to a public place only, not a private place.

 

HKBIA: If there are six persons in a family house are they allowed to be on board together ?

MARPOL: That boat is deemed to be a private place when she is privately owned but the issue of dwelling is regulated by the MD;

If on board a hired boat, the owner/controller/operator of the boat may commit an offence under section 9 of Cap.599 F.

 

HKBIA: Is there no limit?

MARPOL: No limit for private place but in view of the current pandemic, common sense prevails and members of the public are expected to display social responsibility by refraining from having social gatherings

 

HKBIA: We were under the impression that pleasure vessels, that are not licensed for hire or reward, can only take four people, while ferries have no limit.

MARPOL: Under the situations you had mentioned, the Cap.599 regulations apply only to 'public places'.  A vessel used for hire or reward may come under the definition of a public place (if so, there are then also exemptions for 'transportation' - ferries etc). Despite no restrictions being placed on 'private places' the public are encouraged to be prudent and follow all Department of Health guidelines in terms of social distancing and public gatherings.

 

Relevant official source, please see the link **schedule 1: Exempted Group Gatherings (in public place)

item 1: Group gathering for the purposes of or related to transportation

item 6: Group gathering of persons living in the same household

https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap599G  (and 599F)

Centre for Health Protection and Department of Health links are attached below:

 https://www.chp.gov.hk/en/index.html 

 https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/index.html”

 

2. Class IV Charter Boats that are hired for social gatherings are classified as “Party Rooms”. Therefore under Cap. 599F Schedule 2, are required to be suspended till 28 July 2020

Food & Health Bureau:

“According to Cap. 599G (https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap599G), a public place is referred to a place where members of the public can get access to from time to time. If a venue allows access by members of the pubic from time to time, such venue would fall under the definition of public places. Hence, the requirements regarding group gatherings of not more than 4 people and a distance of 1.5 metres or more between different groups etc. under Cap. 599G will be applicable. 

Group gathering generally means a group of people who gather for a common purpose. However, whether a case is defined as a group gathering depends on its nature, such as whether the gathering is organised beforehand, whether there is any interaction between the participants, and whether the gathering only lasts for a very short period of time.”

According to the latest directions on scheduled premises under Cap. 599F (https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap599F), if relevant premises (such as junk boat) falls under Cap. 599F Schedule 2's stipulation of premises that are maintained or intended to be maintained for hire for holding social gatherings (such as boat party), such premises are required to suspend operation till 28 July 2020.”

 

HKBIA tours the soon to be completed Lantau Yacht Club. 

HKBIA will be organizing a Lantau Yacht Club tour for HKBIA members. Details to be announced.

"Hong Kong Resort Company Limited is pleased to update that refurbishment works for the Lantau Yacht Club (“LYC”) Marina is well underway. Phase 1 of the works, which covers about half of the Marina area and the Marina Office, is progressing as planned and is targeted to open in the second half of 2020.

The new LYC Marina is designed to cater for the local marine leisure community as well as local and regional superyacht market. Upon completion, it will provide about 150 berths and it will be the first marina in Hong Kong catering for megayachts up to around 100 metres in length.

The LYC Marina is anticipated to meet the ever-increasing demand for superyacht berths in Asia. It is built according to the highest international standard in terms of structural safety and building services provisions. Marina Projects UK, one of the world’s leading marina consultants, is appointed to advise on the overall design planning and technical provisions for the project."

“The HK Government has just announced that gatherings of up to 50 people will now be allowed.

This will mean that Charter Boats will be allowed to operate legally again and boats can raft up alongside each other and friends can mix with each other. “

 “香港政府巳宣報放寬限聚令至五十人.

表示船隻租賃可從新合法進行, 同時船隻亦可並排連泊一起,朋友間可一起歡鈙.”

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Government relaxes social distancing measures under Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance

*******************************************************************************

     The Government will gazette today (June 16) directions and amendments under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) and the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation (Cap. 599G) to extend the social distancing measures in relation to catering businesses, scheduled premises and group gatherings in public places, as well as make appropriate adjustments and relaxations having regard to the latest situation.  The measures will come into effect on June 19, 2020 for a period of 14 days till July 2, 2020.

     The World Health Organization and health experts advised that the COVID-19 would not be eradicated without effective treatment and vaccination.  The Government thus is required to incorporate work in relation to disease prevention and control as well as infection management into the new normal of the daily operation of the society.  To this end, the Government has all along adopted the "suppress and lift" strategy and strived to strike a balance among public health protection, economic impact and social acceptance, maintaining the various disease prevention measures while allowing room for gradual resumption of normal operation and activities of the society when the situation permits.  

     A spokesperson for the Food and Health Bureau said, "As repeatedly emphasised over the past few weeks, we are currently at the 'lifting' phase under our 'suppress and lift' disease prevention strategy.  Having regard to the latest public health risk, the Government is of the view that this is an appropriate time to relax the existing social distancing measures to send a clear signal to different sectors of the society that social and economic activities may further resume subject to fulfilment of relevant infection control measures, so as to facilitate the recovery of the local economy."

     Following the directions and amendments under Cap. 599F and Cap. 599G, the latest relaxed social distancing measures will be as follows -

Group gatherings (Cap. 599G)
---------------------------------

(1) The number of persons allowed in group gatherings in public places will be relaxed from eight to 50.  Unless exempted, the prohibition on group gatherings at public places will continue during the abovementioned 14 days.

(2) Group gatherings at catering business premises (such as banquets at those premises) would be exempted from the restriction on the number of persons at group gatherings under Cap. 599G.  This relaxation has taken into account the fact that all catering businesses and scheduled premises subject to Cap. 599F are required to follow a series of infection control requirements and restrictions, and that group gatherings at scheduled premises have been exempted from the restriction on the number of persons at group gatherings under Cap. 599G since May 8.

(3) Having regard to the latest limit on the number of persons at group gatherings, corresponding adjustments will be made to the exempted group gatherings under Cap. 599G.

Catering businesses and scheduled premises (Cap. 599F)
---------------------------------------------------------------

(4) On catering businesses, other than the relaxation measure mentioned in item (2) above, the limit on the number of persons allowed to be seated together at one table will be removed while the number of persons allowed to be seated together at one table in bars/pubs will be increased from four to eight.  Other requirements and restrictions on catering business premises will be maintained.
 
(5) On scheduled premises, the limit on the number of persons at each facility/group/room at these premises will be increased from eight to 16 persons, and the number of persons allowed to be seated together at one table in clubs or nightclubs will be increased from four to eight.  Other requirements and restrictions on scheduled premises will be maintained and enhanced based on practical situations.

(6) Live performance and dancing will be allowed to resume at catering business and scheduled premises, but persons working at the premises and performers must wear masks all the time except when there is some form of partition or adequate distancing which could serve as effective buffer between such persons/performers and customers (or for places of public entertainment, some form of partition or adequate distancing which could serve as effective buffer between such persons/performers and customers/the audience).

     Details are at Annex.

     "The Government will review the various measures in place from time to time in accordance with the development of the epidemic situation, and will make suitable adjustments taking into account all relevant factors," said the spokesman.

     Persons responsible for carrying on catering businesses and the managers of scheduled premises that contravene the statutory requirements under Cap. 599F would have committed a criminal offence.  Offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.

     Separately, any person who participates in a prohibited group gathering; organises a prohibited group gathering; owns, controls or operates the place of such gathering; and knowingly allows the taking place of such gathering, commits an offence under Cap. 599G.  Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for six months.  Persons who participate in a prohibited group gathering may discharge liability for the offence by paying a fixed penalty of $2,000.

 

Ends/Tuesday, June 16, 2020
Issued at HKT 20:16

GROUP GATHERING RESTRICTIONS.pdf

HKBIA Chairman, Lawrence Chow, had presented a summary of the progress HKBIA has made in 2019/2020 and the plans for future.

Presentation can be found on the member’s document library.

香港建築師學會主席勞倫斯·週（Lawrence Chow）總結了香港建築師學會在2019/2020年取得的進展以及未來的計劃。 演示文稿可以在會員的文檔庫中找到。

New ICOMIA executive committee line-up. Congratulations to Sara Anghel for being elected new President of ICOMIA. Chair of Hong Kong Boating Industry Association, Lawrence Chow, has been elected as the Asia Representative on the Executive Committee of ICOMIA. Thank you to YP Loke for all the hard work and contributions he has put forward over the last 5 years as Asia Representative!

新的ICOMIA執行委員會陣容。 祝賀薩拉·安赫爾（Sara Anghel）當選ICOMIA新一屆主席。 香港遊艇業總會會主席勞倫斯·周（Lawrence Chow）當選為ICOMIA執行委員會亞洲代表。 感謝YP Loke在過去5年中作為亞洲代表所做的辛勤工作和貢獻！

"Dear Mr Chow, 

                I refer to your email of 23 April to the Chief Executive and am authorised to reply. 

                COVID-19 has swept the world and made a great impact on the global and local economy.  Preventing and controlling the infection with an all-out effort is still the top priority of the HKSAR Government and we have adopted a host of bold public hygiene measures.  The HKSAR Government understands that the ongoing epidemic and related anti-epidemic measures have added tremendous burden to various sectors.  Subsequent to the $30 billion measures under the Anti-epidemic Fund and the $120 billion relief package in the 2020-21 Budget, the Chief Executive announced on 8 April the details of the second round of the Anti-epidemic Fund and further relief measures.  The new round of measures cost more than $130 billion with a wide coverage, aiming to safeguard employment and the self-employed irrespective of sector, provide extra relief to those sectors hard hit by the epidemic and pave the way for post-epidemic economic recovery.  These include an $81 billion Employment Support Scheme, as well as sector-specific initiatives totalling $21 billion.  For details of the above measures, please refer to the attached booklet, which is also accessible at https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/fund/CE-Measure-12.pdf.  The Finance Committee of the Legislative Council approved at its meeting on 18 April the proposal for additional funding for the second round of the Anti-epidemic Fund. 

                Direct subsidies aside, the HKSAR Government will roll out a host of other measures, which include providing further rental concessions for government properties and fee waivers, enhancing the SME Financing Guarantee Scheme, supporting the MTR Corporation to provide a fare discount, relaxing the threshold under the Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme, granting interest-free deferral of loan repayments for students, and allowing deferrals of tax payments.  Along with the measures introduced by the Airport Authority, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the Insurance Authority, these will support businesses and members of the public at large.   

                In the face of the unprecedented challenge, the HKSAR Government, taking account of the views gathered from different channels, considers it necessary to take the above measures to help the society ride out the storm and to cater for the needs of businesses and members of the public as far as possible.  We have also relayed your suggestions to the Transport and Housing Bureau for consideration.  The HKSAR Government will remain vigilant in safeguarding public health.  Let us act in unison in our fight against the disease. 



Yours sincerely, 

(Natalie Lam) 
for Private Secretary to Chief Executive "

CE-Measure-12-eng.pdf