Hong Kong Welcomes Maiden Voyage of Southbound Yachts from Guangdong, Aims to Become Asia's Yachting Hub

Maiden voyage of southbound yachts from Guangdong realises two-way navigation for Guangdong-Hong Kong individual yacht travel

The maiden voyage ceremony of southbound yachts from Guangdong was held today (October 16),marking the official implementation of the scheme. The Acting Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong; the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan; and the Director of Marine, Mr Wong Sai-fat, officiated at the ceremony to welcome five visiting yachts from Guangdong.

In his speech at the ceremony, the Acting Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong, said that Hong Kong is actively developing into a yachting hub in Asia. He noted that the global yacht market has continued to grow in recent years, with the luxury yacht market in particular experiencing significant expansion. He added that the market value of the superyacht industry is projected to reach approximately $350 billion by 2032, representing a massive scale. He believed that Hong Kong has the potential, capability, and strength to secure a share of this market.

He said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is proactively implementing various measures to promote the yacht economy, including the three measures introduced by the Marine Department in June to facilitate yachts to visit Hong Kong. He also mentioned that The Festival of Connoisseurs, an international flagship exhibition focusing on superyachts and premium lifestyles, will be held in Hong Kong in early November. He added that the Government is fully committed to promoting the construction of four new yacht clubs at the airport, Lamma Island, Aberdeen, and Hung Hom respectively, which will provide a total of more than 1 100 berths and four highly attractive new clubhouse facilities. It is expected that these facilities will significantly enhance and improve Hong Kong's infrastructure and ecosystem in the yachting economy.

Following the launch of northbound travel of yachts from Hong Kong in June this year,and the signing of the relevant work arrangements between Guangdong and Hong Kong in September to establish an institutionalised mechanism for cross-boundary individual yacht travel between Guangdong and Hong Kong, the Governments of the two places have further implemented the southbound travel of yachts from Guangdong, enabling yacht owners in Guangdong to handle cross-boundary procedures more conveniently, thereby promoting greater connectivity between the two places in cross-boundary navigation networks and the marine leisure industry.

Under the framework of the southbound travel of yachts from Guangdong, all Guangdong-registered yachts that meet the requirements of a navigation range of up to 20 nautical miles offshore and a wave resistance capability of not less than 2 metres may apply to visit Hong Kong. Yacht owners/masters intending to travel southbound may complete the procedures online in advance and must complete the relevant Chinese Mainland departure inspection formalities at the six designated control points (namely the Nansha Ferry Terminal in Guangzhou, Shekou Cruise Homeport in Shenzhen, Shenzhen Airport Ferry Terminal, Jiuzhou Port Passenger Terminal in Zhuhai, Wanshan Port in Zhuhai, and Sunsea Yacht Club Marina, Zhongshan Port).

The Marine Department launched three facilitation measures in June, which include enhancing the Electronic Business System to allow one-stop online completion of arrival and port formalities, setting up designated anchorage areas and relaxing the requirements of booking a berth at a yacht club before arriving in Hong Kong, as well as authorising ChineseMainland institutions to conduct the Hong Kong Waters Local Knowledge Examination and provide training for yacht masters prior to arrival in Hong Kong. These facilitation measures also apply to overseas yachts. Owners/masters of visiting yachts may apply through the Electronic Business System for Permission to Navigate in Hong Kong Waters as early as 30 days before arrival, and book an anchoring location. Details of the procedures and relevant information for Guangdong-registered yachts travelling southbound to Hong Kong are set out in the Appendix.

The Marine Department has authorised two Mainland examination centres to conduct the Hong Kong Waters Local Knowledge Examination, and has approved seven Mainland training institutions to offer recognised training courses. To date, the department received an enthusiastic response with nearly 300 people having already obtained the relevant qualification. The Marine Department will also recognise online short-term training courses organised by local professional training and examination institutions in order to facilitate masters of visiting yachts in obtaining the qualification to navigate in Hong Kong waters while overseas.

The implementation of the southbound travel of yachts from Guangdong and the relevant cross-boundary facilitation measures for yachts will help attract more yachts from the Greater Bay Area and around the world to visit Hong Kong, injecting new impetus into the tourism industry and the yacht market, bringing new growth opportunities and driving the development of related industries. The Government will continue to monitor the development of visiting yachts and make timely adjustments to the implementation of the various facilitation measures.

The maiden voyage ceremony of southbound yachts from Guangdong was held today (October 16), marking the official implementation of the scheme. Photo shows the Director of Marine, Mr Wong Sai-fat (third right), presenting silver salvers to representatives of the supporting organisations as a token of appreciation. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The maiden voyage ceremony of southbound yachts from Guangdong was held today (October 16), marking the official implementation of the scheme. Photo shows guests participating in the ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The maiden voyage ceremony of southbound yachts from Guangdong was held today (October 16), marking the official implementation of the scheme. Photo shows the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan (centre), presenting souvenirs and gifts to the masters and passengers of yachts visiting Hong Kong from Guangdong. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The maiden voyage ceremony of southbound yachts from Guangdong was held today (October 16), marking the official implementation of the scheme. Photo shows the first batch of yachts travelling southbound from Guangdong under the new arrangements on cross-boundary individual yacht travel between Guangdong and Hong Kong berthing at the yacht club. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The maiden voyage ceremony of southbound yachts from Guangdong was held today (October 16), marking the official implementation of the scheme. Photo shows the first batch of yachts travelling southbound from Guangdong under the new arrangements on cross-boundary individual yacht travel between Guangdong and Hong Kong sailing into the yacht club. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The maiden voyage ceremony of southbound yachts from Guangdong was held today (October 16), marking the official implementation of the scheme. Photo shows the Acting Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong, delivering a speech at the ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The maiden voyage ceremony of southbound yachts from Guangdong was held today (October 16), marking the official implementation of the scheme. Photo shows the Acting Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong (centre); the Director-General of the Economic Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Xu Weigang (second left); the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan (second right); the Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province, Mr Fan Kesheng (first left); and the Director of Marine, Mr Wong Sai-fat (first right), officiating at the launch ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The maiden voyage ceremony of southbound yachts from Guangdong was held today (October 16), marking the official implementation of the scheme. Photo shows the Acting Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong (centre); the Director-General of the Economic Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Xu Weigang (second left); the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan (second right); the Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province, Mr Fan Kesheng (first left); and the Director of Marine, Mr Wong Sai-fat (first right), officiating at the launch ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CHP investigates fatal case of invasive pneumococcal disease

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (October 18) investigating a fatal case of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), and reminded the public to observe hygiene practices against the disease.

The patient was a nine-year-old boy with good past health, who had developed fever, runny nose, cough, and chest pain associated with the coughing since October 10. He was brought to private clinics on October 10 and 13. On October 14, he was brought to the Accident and Emergency Department at Tin Shui Wai Hospital due to persistent symptoms and shortness of breath. He was transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Tuen Mun Hospital for further management. His condition deteriorated and he passed away on October 15.

His pleural fluid specimen tested positive for Streptococcus pneumoniae upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was severe pneumonia complicated with empyema, septic shock and acute renal failure. The CHP will arrange furthertesting and serotype analysis of patient's bacterial samples.

Initial enquiries revealed that the boy had no travel history during the incubation period. His home contacts have remained asymptomatic so far. Investigations are ongoing. The case will be referred to the Coroner for investigation.

Pneumococcal infection is caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus). It causes a wide range of diseases. More common ones include middle ear infection and chest infection. It may also cause various forms of IPDs, such as infection of the brain membranes and blood stream. The infection can be serious or even life-threatening. Local data showed that about three per cent of the cases of paediatric IPD recorded over the past decade have been fatal.

Pneumococci are commonly found in the nose and throat of healthy people, particularly in children. Occasionally, these bacteria will cause an infection. They mainly spread through droplets via coughing and sneezing, close contact with the patients or contact with materials soiled with the bacteria.

Scientific research data from around the world indicated that the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) canprovide direct protection effectively, and achieve herd immunity by reducing transmission. Receiving PCV can reduce the risk of IPD among children by 60 per cent to 90 per cent, demonstrating the effectiveness of the vaccine. In light of this, the DH has incorporated PCV into the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme (HKCIP) since September 2009, providing free vaccinations for children. Local research data showed a significant decrease in the number of cases of IPD after the HKCIP was launched. The incidence ofchildren aged two years or below, and children aged two to five years dropped by 85 per cent and 35 per cent respectively. Parents should ensure that their children receive PCV according to the schedule of the HKCIP. Elderly and high-risk individuals should also receive pneumococcal vaccine to safeguard their health.

The health condition of children with IPD can deteriorate rapidly. Parents should bring their children to seek medical attention as soon as possible if they develop a fever or respiratory symptoms.If the condition persists or deteriorates with symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, blue lips, convulsions, drowsiness,stiff neck, refusal to eat, persistent vomiting or decreased urination, they should attend an accident and emergency department for treatment immediately.

To prevent pneumococcal infection, the CHP appealed to the public for pneumococcal vaccination and hygiene practices. The public may visit the CHP'sinvasive pneumococcal disease pagefor more information.

Source: AI-found images