New safety requirements for local pleasure vessels in Hong Kong


The Marine Department of Hong Kong has published a circular about the recent safety requirements and regulations for all local pleasure vessels, which will be applied from 1st of April 2021.


According to the circular all pleasure vessels licenced to carry more than 12 passengers that are let for hire or reward shall have on-board a suitable first aid kit, as stipulated in “Code of Practice IV” Chapter X – Part 2 with effect from 1st April 2021.


At the same time, from 1st April 2021, the following three categories of vessels shall carry sufficient number of lifebuoys for the maximum number of persons that the vessel is licenced to carry:


- A Class IV vessel that is licensed before 1 August 2020 to carry not more than 60 passengers and is let for hire or reward (except a Class IV open cruiser).


- A Class IV vessel that is an open cruiser licenced to carry not more than 60 passengers and is let for hire or reward. (This requirement is exempted if the passengers on board the vessel wear suitable lifejackets while the vessel is underway)


- A Class IV vessel of more than 150 GRT and is licensed before 1 August 2020.


As explained, a pleasure vessel that is licenced to a) carry 13 to 60 passengers and is let for hire or reward or b) carry more than 60 passengers, shall be equipped with a piece of VHF Radio equipment with a relevant licence issued by the Communications Authority.


MCA targets


uncoded race yachts Action will be taken against uncoded commercially operated sailing yachts engaged in racing, the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) has warned, following the conclusion of legal proceedings against two vessels. The MCA has agreed to


discontinue prosecution


against two boats on the condition both enter into a written agreement to ensure their vessels are coded when engaged in any commercial activity.


The outcome reaffirms the agency’s committed position to ensuring all vessels hold the correct documentation.


Mark Flavell, Lead Investigator at the MCA as part of the Regulatory Compliance Investigations Team, said: “A misinterpretation of the code concerning yachts engaged in racing had developed. The MCA want to send a clear message and dispel this misinterpretation.


“Commercially operated vessels, including those engaged in racing, must be coded. This is to ensure commercial vessels are subject of an independent survey and inspection regime. The aim being, as with any scrutiny of commercial operations, is to keep employees and public safe.


“We will not hesitate to take enforcement action against yacht owners who don’t want to hear this message and fail to get their yacht coded.”


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