The first voyage under the Guangdong-yacht scheme is scheduled for 16 October, opening a quota for mainland yachts to visit Hong Kong in the scheme’s first phase.
Mable Chan, Secretary for Transport and Logistics, said nearly 300 mainland captains had passed assessment on their knowledge of Hong Kong waters. The Marine Department began training and assessments in June.
Preparations include a real-time system to monitor yachts and an electronic service for visiting vessels to handle applications, registration, berth arrangements and crew-entry procedures. The Marine Department is coordinating with the Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration ahead of the first voyage.
Chan said the government would provide visiting captains with information about Hong Kong waters and that the Marine Department planned extra patrols in places where yachts commonly appear. Visiting yachts can berth at local yacht facilities or anchor in any of five designated areas.