PORT of Hong Kong will begin laying tracking cables and concrete blocks, pulling tracking cables under-seabed water pipeline tunnel, drilling works and diving operations between Hei Ling Chau and Sunshine Island from July 2 for three months.
The works area will be bounded by the shore and straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (A) to (B) and (C) to (D): (A) 22 deg. 15.475'N / 114 deg. 02.570'E;(B) 22 deg. 15.668'N / 114 deg. 02.842'E; (C) 22 deg. 15.540'N / 114 deg. 02.815'E and (D) 22 deg. 15.430'N / 114 deg. 02.633'E.
The works will be carried out by one work boat between 0800 hrs and 1800 hrs except for Sundays and public holidays. Some guard boats will provide assistance. The number of vessels engaged in the works will change from time to time to suit operational requirements.
To facilitate the laying of submarine tracking cables, two pairs of concrete blocks will be laid approximately along the three metres depth contour lines of the respective north-east coast and south-west coast of Hei Ling Chau and Sunshine Island.
Each block is a one metre high and cube shaped. Yellow marker buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights will be attached to the blocks to indicate their positions.
After the laying operation, the submarine tracking cables will be pulled to ensure the proper alignment either on July 4 or July 18. The cable pulling operation will be carried out between two concrete blocks located on each shore of Hei Ling Chau and Sunshine Island.
Vessels navigating in the vicinity should proceed with caution and keep clear at slow speed, bearing in mind the existence of the submarine tracking cables and the concrete blocks in the area.
While the pulling operation is in progress, the water depth within the works area will be temporarily reduced to two metres for a few hours.
To safeguard the pulling operation, the guard boats stationed in the works area or patrolling the waters will give guidance to vessels approaching the works area.
Except on the day of pulling operation, the submarine tracking cables which have been laid on the seabed will not affect normal surface navigation.
Upon completion of the under-seabed water pipeline tunnel drilling works, the submarine tracking cables, together with those four concrete blocks will be removed from the works area.
Vessels employed for the works will not stay in the works area outside hours of work. Vessels engaged in the operations will display signals as prescribed in international and local regulations.
Diving operations will be carried out from time to time during the hours of work.