Speed in Restricted Zones

Monday, June 26, 2017, Hong Kong

The attention of owners, coxswains and masters of pleasure vessels and all other vessels are drawn to section 9(3) of the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (General) Regulation (Cap 548F) and regulation 19(3) of the Shipping and Port Control Regulations (Cap 313A), which set out the speed limit for ALL vessels within restricted zones.

The restricted zones are specified in the Eighteenth Schedule to the Shipping and Port Control Regulations and listed below.

The speed limit is 5 knots between 8 a.m. and 12 midnight on all days from 1 July to 15 September (both dates inclusive) every year or all other Saturdays and public holidays.

TOLO HARBOUR

T1 Plover Cove

T2 Sha Tin Hoi

PORT SHELTER AND ROCKY HARBOUR

K1 Tai She Wan

K2 Tsam Chuk Wan

K3 Hebe Haven (Pak Sha Wan)

K4 East Kiu Tsui Chau

K5 West Kau Sai Chau

K6 South Kau Sai Chau

K7 Bluff Island

K8 Clear Water Bay

HONG KONG ISLAND, SOUTH

A1 To Tei Wan

A2 Tai Tam Harbour

A3 Stanley Bay

A4 Chung Hom Wan

A5 South Bay

A6 Deep Water Bay

A10 Tai Tam Bay

A11 Repulse Bay

LAMMA ISLAND

A7 Luk Chau Wan

A8 Sham Wan

CHEUNG CHAU

A9 Tung Wan

LANTAU ISLAND

L1 Discovery Bay

The coxswains and masters of all vessels, particularly large or powerful vessels, are strongly advised to exercise due care and avoid generating excessive wake wash when navigating in the restricted zones, in areas near swimming beaches and fish culture zones, in particular near Kai Lung Wan Fish Culture Zone, giving due consideration to the safety of other people and vessels in the vicinity. In narrow channels such as Sor See Mun (Fu Tau Fan Chau) and Fat Tong Mun (Tung Lung Chau), the speed of all vessels should be reduced to a safe speed generally not exceeding 5 knots. Operators of speed boats and jet skis should exercise due care when navigating in narrow waterways, such as river channels and proceed at safe speed at all times.

Any person wishing to make a report concerning the apparent mishandling or excessive speed of a vessel may do so by calling the Harbour Patrol Section of the Marine Department at telephone 2385 2791. The person making such a report may be requested to confirm the details in writing and may be required to appear in court as witness should the report subsequently result in a prosecution.

(For information about operations in Hong Kong contact GAC Hong Kong at shipping.hongkong@gac.com)

Source: Government of Hong Kong SAR Marine Department Notice No.85 of 2017

Seabed studies for Great Istanbul Tunnel

Monday, June 26, 2017, Bosphorus, Turkey

Closures can be expected in the Bosphorus until early August due to seabed studies being carried out for the Great Istanbul Tunnel project.

The Great Istanbul Tunnel is a multi-level underwater tunnel to connect European and Asian banks of Istanbul, planned between the first and second bridges connecting Gayrettepe and Kucuksu.

From 24 June to 3 August, the tug Alcatras and research vessel Fugro Scout are studying the seabed in the Bosphorus and closures are to be expected. Details of closure dates/times have not been announced yet, and will be given nearer the time.

For information about operations in the Turkish Straits, contact GAC Istanbul at turkey@gac.com

Source: GAC