With the summer boating season around the corner, Marine East Division (MEDIV), in conjunction with five other Government departments and Sai Kung District Fight Crime Committee, hosted a Sea Safety Day at the Tui Min Hoi Base on April 19. The event aimed at engaging the maritime recreational sector to promote waters safety for both work and recreation.
Officiating at the event were Marine Deputy Regional Commander Richard Morgan, Marine Outer Waters District Commander Tsui Wai-hung, Chairman of the Sai Kung District Council, Mr Ng Sze-fuk, Chairman of the Sai Kung District Fight Crime Committee, Dr Lam Ching-choi, and other local community leaders. About 250 guests turned out for the event from the maritime leisure industry, including coxswains of excursion boats, operators of recreational fish farms and representatives from boat clubs.
In his opening speech, Mr Tsui pointed out that the collision between two vessels off Po Toi Island, in which a boat sank and several persons were reported missing, underlined the importance of waters safety.
During the ceremony, appointment certificates were presented to officers of the "Sea Safety Guarding Angels" Scheme and the "Neighbourhood Partnership Scheme 2013". With widespread support from the community, both schemes have helped reduce the number of sea safety related accidents in Sai Kung amid increasing popular waterborne recreational activities.
Marine Police work closely with the parties associated with the "No Drugs Charter", which carries a simple message: "Taking dangerous drugs at sea is tantamount to committing suicide".
The chairpersons of three excursion boat associations have signed the charter and 180 excursion boats and 40 recreational fish farms are participating in the schemes, pledging to report cases of drugs abuse onboard their vessels so as to keep Hong Kong waters safe for both work and recreation.
Following the ceremony was a demonstration of a multi-departmental rescue operation carried out by police vessels, Marine Department launches, fireboats and Government Flying Services helicopters.
At the same time, four police dogs and their handlers demonstrated how they worked at popular embarkation points as part of the Force's efforts to combat drugs abuse at sea.
All the departments and units participating in the demonstrations also set up display boards on their jobs and equipment, allowing visitors to meet face to face with those who work hard for sea safety round the clock. The visitors also realised that the best prevention is enhancement of public awareness of sea safety, which is the objective of the whole event.
