XN000022-1996-02-06 — Page 18

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Mr Tsang said: "In order to ensure safety of life at sea, to maintain orderly waterborne traffic and to be in a position to offer immediate assistance to vessels, the Marine Department had co-ordinated efforts with the Marine Police and Fires Services Department, and would be adopting various safety measures on the day of the display."

He said a restricted area would be established immediately before and after the display and there would be two sterile areas at Kowloon Public Pier and Queen's Pier respectively from 8 pm to 9.30 pm.

The four barges for this year's event will be anchored in the Western Dangerous Goods Anchorage.

They will be towed under Marine Police escort from the anchorage to Wan Chai around noon on February 20 and then moored two to harbour mooring buoy A50 and two to naval mooring buoy No 2.

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"An area encompassing these barges will be established as a closed area from 2 pm to 9 pm. The boundary of this closed area is about 300 metres from the barges and in a single rectangle shaped area," said Mr Tsang.

During the closure period the area will be closed to all marine traffic except those directly involved in the fireworks display and government vessels.

"Masters of all vessels should bear in mind the temporary establishment of this closed area and navigate outside the boundary," said Mr Tsang.

Because of numerous marine works being carried out in central Victoria Harbour, this part will be designated as a restricted area from 7 pm to 9 am on February 20.

The restricted area is bounded on the east side by a straight line joining Hung Hom Railway Station Cargo Pier and the breakwater of Kellet Island near the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, Causeway Bay.

The western boundary is a straight line joining the southeast extremely of Ocean Terminal, Tsim Sha Tsui, and a new government pier east of Macau Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan.

"During the period of restriction, no vessels other than government launches, vessels directly involved in the fireworks display and vessels which have obtained special permission from the Director of Marine will be allowed to anchor or to be underway within the restricted area," said Mr Tsang.