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"The south boundary is a straight line joining Tang Lung Chau to the Tsing Yi West coast, about 950 metres south and parallel to the Tsing Ma Bridge."
Mr Chung pointed out that during the closure period from 3 pm to 10.30 pm, no vessels other than Government craft, vessels directly involved in the fireworks display and boat flotilla or those which had obtained permission from the Director of Marine would be allowed to anchor or to be underway within the restricted area.
"Besides the restricted area, the waters between Ting Kau and Sham Tseng will be temporarily restricted to marine traffic from 7.45 pm to 8.20 pm, with no spectator vessels being allowed to remain in the area," Mr Chung said.
"A spectator vessel gathering area will be designated south of the restricted area and east of the Kap Shui Mun Fairway.
"Any spill over of spectator vessels will be directed to the Pun Shan Shek Anchorage," he added.
As the marine traffic off Tsuen Wan Public Pier was expected to be very heavy on April 27, Mr Chung advised that vessels should follow instructions from the Marine Police and if possible should use other landing facilities in Victoria Harbour.
He also reminded vessel operators that the marine traffic in the Kap Shui Mun Fairway would increase substantially due to the closure of the Ma Wan Fairway and that vessels transiting the Kap Shui Mun Fairway should proceed with caution and adjust speed so as to avoid unnecessary overtaking.
The Marine Department has published Marine Department Notices No.65 and No.70 of 1997 to give full details of the special marine traffic measures. Free copies of the notices are available from the Victoria Marine Office on the third floor, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong.
the
Internet users
can also get
notices by http://www.info.gov.hk/mardep/index.htm for the Marine Department homepage.
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As for vessel operators Mr Chung advised those who were not familiar with the waters not proceed to the water areas in which vessels would encounter strong current and heavy traffic.
"Small vessels particularly those with no decking or of a length of less than five metres should not proceed to or remain in the water areas since such vessels were vulnerable to the wash from large vessels and were not easily detected by larger vessels," he said.