"It is safer to enjoy your pleasure boating in the calm scenic waters of our eastern shores," he advised.
He stressed that the Marine Department had a clear role to play in facilitating the safe and orderly development of recreational boating.
"My department's overriding concern is to ensure that pleasure boating can be enjoyed by all in safety," he added.
Noting that the sea is not man's natural environment, Mr Dale said that safety must be accepted as the most important aspect of boating,
"When we venture out on it either for pleasure or work, we must put safety at the head of our lists of things to check. Safety for ourselves and others must be our first and last concern," he said.
Mr Dale pointed out that while the Marine Department provided the regulatory framework to lay down basic safety standards for vessels and crews and the Marine Police provided an overseeing role to check that standards were maintained, the real and practical responsibility must rest with the vessel's owner and coxswain.
His advice to the owners and coxswains of pleasure vessles is:
learn, and follow the rules;
make sure everyone on board understands what to do in an emergency; apply common sense and an understanding of the needs of other users of
water.
Mr Dale further advised them to make sure the "SURE" (Sense, Upkeep, Rules and Equipment) guideline was observed.
Sense - use common sense, check the weather, number of people on board, plan the route.
Upkeep - check the boat in good condition.
Rules - learn the rules of the road and apply it at all times.
Equipment - check you have all the right safety equipment on board, and that everyone knows how to use it.
The International Boat Show 1995 is the largest event of its kind in Hong Kong since 1982. More than 40 manufacturers from all over the world take part in this year's show.
End/Saturday, March 4, 1995
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