1977 — Page 41

Urban Council Proceedings 市政局議事錄 All AI Reviewed

Page 41 of 174

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

MR. CHEONG-LEEN (in English):-Can my friend assure me that this is not a subtle form of male chauvinism?

MR. Lo (in English):-I can so assure Mr. CHEONG-LEEN. (Laughter).

CHAIRMAN (in English):-Mr. Peter C. K. CHAN has been very patiently waiting for his turn.

MR. PETER C. K. CHAN (in English):-Mr. Chairman, since the Chairman of the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee in answering my previous question agreed that as the sunlight starts at 5:30 a.m. tennis courts were opened at 6 a.m. since 1st June, is there any reason why we should not adjust the manning of beaches so that lifeguards start at 6 a.m. because people start swimming at 5:30 a.m. and that leaves 12 hours without the presence of the lifeguards?

MR. Lo (in English):-Mr. Chairman, Mr. CHAN has once again outlined the difficulties caused to various activities by this loss of one hour of sunlight in summer. As to the question of changing the hours for swimming pools and so on, when they are in the urban areas, access to them is easier. All these beaches are at outlying districts and the lifeguards have to get there by public transport. To get there to be at work by 6:30 a.m. would be operationally difficult. The swimmers may arrive at their own time by car.

MR. CHAN (in English):-Is it that most of these lifeguards at beaches like Middle Bay, South Bay, St. Stephens Bay and Stanley Main live there? Perhaps you know. The Select Committee can look into the problem because I think the early morning hour is the most dangerous time if not manned by lifeguards and most people like to have a morning swim now that it is not very cool.

MR. Lo (in English):-I will certainly like to consider that in the R. and A. Select Committee. The other thing of course is that the extra hour in the evening making lifeguards work up to 8:30 p.m., the same time as last year, does not really serve any useful purpose. It is totally dark by about 7:30 p.m. The extra hour does not give any benefit.

MR. CHAN (in English):-That means they can cut one hour in the evening and make an extra hour in the morning. I think that can be done because the sunlight is still the same.

CHAIRMAN (in English):-Mrs. ELLIOTT, Mr. FORSGATE in that order.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

MRS. ELLIOTT (in English):-Mr. Chairman, I just want to ask you if I may thank Mr. CHEONG-LEEN for championing the cause of women.

CHAIRMAN (in English):-Mr. CHEONG-LEEN has thus been duly thanked. One more vote for Mr. CHEONG-LEEN. (Laughter).

MR. FORSGATE (in English):-Mr. Chairman, the recent report on drowning indicates that the person was only found after the Fire Brigade or Marine Police's skin-diving team came along. Could consideration be given to lifeguards being trained in the use of skin-diving equipment so that as soon as a person is missing an underwater search can be made, because I think most of us know that a person loses consciousness when he sinks below the surface, and there is not much point in looking around. Possibly, an underwater search might be useful? Could the committee give consideration to that with the experts?

MR. Lo (in English):-I will certainly consider that suggestion as well, Mr. Chairman, but I must again emphasize that once a person is under the water you need a large number of people to be able to find him and that the time is very limited. After 2 or 3 minutes, I think it is too late.

MR. F. K. Hu (in English):-My question is the same as Mr. FORSGATE's. It probably has already been answered by Mr. Lo. I think the Swimming Pool and Beach Sub-Committee did study the question of scuba diving and provision of rescue services on beaches, but partly because of the reasons stated by Mr. Lo and partly because of the cost involved, the recommendation was to drop it for the time being.

CHAIRMAN (in English):-That is so.

MR. LAWRENCE H. L. FUNG (in English):-Mr. Chairman, short of power boats I believe the quickest way for a lifeguard to get to a swimmer in distress is to paddle himself out by surfboard and this is quite a normal piece of equipment for lifeguards in Hawaii and Australia. Can consideration be given to supplying lifeguards with surfboards?

MR. LO (in English):-Mr. Chairman, at the moment, they are already using catamarans which can be rowed to the place where the swimmer is in difficulties. I am not sure whether the lifeguard on the beach swimming out even with the help of the surfboard would get there any quicker.

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Page 41 of 174 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL MR. CHEONG-LEEN (in English):-Can my friend assure me that this is not a subtle form of male chauvinism? MR. Lo (in English):-I can so assure Mr. CHEONG-LEEN. (Laughter). CHAIRMAN (in English):-Mr. Peter C. K. CHAN has been very patiently waiting for his turn. MR. PETER C. K. CHAN (in English):-Mr. Chairman, since the Chairman of the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee in answering my previous question agreed that as the sunlight starts at 5:30 a.m. tennis courts were opened at 6 a.m. since 1st June, is there any reason why we should not adjust the manning of beaches so that lifeguards start at 6 a.m. because people start swimming at 5:30 a.m. and that leaves 12 hours without the presence of the lifeguards? MR. Lo (in English):-Mr. Chairman, Mr. CHAN has once again outlined the difficulties caused to various activities by this loss of one hour of sunlight in summer. As to the question of changing the hours for swimming pools and so on, when they are in the urban areas, access to them is easier. All these beaches are at outlying districts and the lifeguards have to get there by public transport. To get there to be at work by 6:30 a.m. would be operationally difficult. The swimmers may arrive at their own time by car. MR. CHAN (in English):-Is it that most of these lifeguards at beaches like Middle Bay, South Bay, St. Stephens Bay and Stanley Main live there? Perhaps you know. The Select Committee can look into the problem because I think the early morning hour is the most dangerous time if not manned by lifeguards and most people like to have a morning swim now that it is not very cool. MR. Lo (in English):-I will certainly like to consider that in the R. and A. Select Committee. The other thing of course is that the extra hour in the evening making lifeguards work up to 8:30 p.m., the same time as last year, does not really serve any useful purpose. It is totally dark by about 7:30 p.m. The extra hour does not give any benefit. MR. CHAN (in English):-That means they can cut one hour in the evening and make an extra hour in the morning. I think that can be done because the sunlight is still the same. CHAIRMAN (in English):-Mrs. ELLIOTT, Mr. FORSGATE in that order. HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL MRS. ELLIOTT (in English):-Mr. Chairman, I just want to ask you if I may thank Mr. CHEONG-LEEN for championing the cause of women. CHAIRMAN (in English):-Mr. CHEONG-LEEN has thus been duly thanked. One more vote for Mr. CHEONG-LEEN. (Laughter). MR. FORSGATE (in English):-Mr. Chairman, the recent report on drowning indicates that the person was only found after the Fire Brigade or Marine Police's skin-diving team came along. Could consideration be given to lifeguards being trained in the use of skin-diving equipment so that as soon as a person is missing an underwater search can be made, because I think most of us know that a person loses consciousness when he sinks below the surface, and there is not much point in looking around. Possibly, an underwater search might be useful? Could the committee give consideration to that with the experts? MR. Lo (in English):-I will certainly consider that suggestion as well, Mr. Chairman, but I must again emphasize that once a person is under the water you need a large number of people to be able to find him and that the time is very limited. After 2 or 3 minutes, I think it is too late. MR. F. K. Hu (in English):-My question is the same as Mr. FORSGATE's. It probably has already been answered by Mr. Lo. I think the Swimming Pool and Beach Sub-Committee did study the question of scuba diving and provision of rescue services on beaches, but partly because of the reasons stated by Mr. Lo and partly because of the cost involved, the recommendation was to drop it for the time being. CHAIRMAN (in English):-That is so. MR. LAWRENCE H. L. FUNG (in English):-Mr. Chairman, short of power boats I believe the quickest way for a lifeguard to get to a swimmer in distress is to paddle himself out by surfboard and this is quite a normal piece of equipment for lifeguards in Hawaii and Australia. Can consideration be given to supplying lifeguards with surfboards? MR. LO (in English):-Mr. Chairman, at the moment, they are already using catamarans which can be rowed to the place where the swimmer is in difficulties. I am not sure whether the lifeguard on the beach swimming out even with the help of the surfboard would get there any quicker. 47 46 Page 41 of 174

Baseline (Original)

4 " Page 41 of 174 47 46 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL MR. CHEONG-LEEN (in English):-Can my friend assure me that this is not a subtle form of male chauvinism? MR. Lo (in English):-I can SO assure Mr. CHEONG-LEEN. (Laughter). CHAIRMAN (in English):-Mr. Peter C. K. CHAN has been very patiently waiting for his turn. MR. PETER C. K. CHAN (in English):-Mr. Chairman, since the Chairman of the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee in answering my previous question agreed that as the sunlight starts at 5.30 a.m. tennis courts were opened at 6 a.m. since 1st June, is there any reason why we should not adjust the manning of beaches so that lifeguards start at 6 a.m. because people start swimming at 5.30 a.m. and that leave 12 hours without the presence of the lifeguards? MR. Lo (in English): -Mr. Chairman, Mr. CHAN has once again outlined the difficulties caused to various activities by this loss of one hour of sunlight in summer. As to the question of changing the hours for swimming pools and so on, when they are in the urban areas, access to them is easier. All these beaches are at outlying districts and the lifeguards have to get there by public transport. To get there to be at work by 6.30 a.m. would be operationally difficult. The swimmers may arrive at their own time by car. MR. CHAN (in English):-Is it that most of these lifeguards at beaches like Middle Bay, South Bay, St. Stephens Bay and Stanley Main live there? Perhaps you know. The Select Committee can look into the problem because I think the early morning hour is the most dangerous time if not manned by lifeguards and most people like to have a morning swim now that it is not very cool. MR. Lo (in English):-I will certainly like to consider that in the R. and A. Select Committee. The other thing of course is that the extra hour in the evening making lifeguards work up to 8.30 p.m., the same time as last year, does not really serve any useful purpose. It is totally dark by about 7.30 p.m. The extra hour does not give any benefit. MR. CHAN (in English):-That means they can cut one hour in the evening and make an extra hour in the morning. I think that can be done because the sunlight is still the same. order. CHAIRMAN (in English):-Mrs. ELLIOTT, Mr. FORSGATE in that HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL MRS. ELLIOTT (in English):-Mr. Chairman, I just want to ask you if I may thank Mr. CHEONG-LEEN for championing the cause of women. CHAIRMAN (in English):--Mr. CHEONG-LEEN has thus been duly thanked. One more vote for Mr. CHEONG-LEEN. (Laughter). MR. FORSGATE (in English):-Mr. Chairman, the recent report on drowning indicates that the person was only found after the Fire Brigade or Marine Police's skin-diving team came along. Could con- sideration be given to lifeguard being trained in the use of skin-diving equipment so that as soon as a person is missing an under-water search can be made, because I think most of us know that a person loses consciousness when he sinks below the surface, and there is not much point in looking around. Possibly, an under-water search might be useful? Could the committee give consideration to that with the experts? MR. Lo (in English):-I will certainly consider that suggestion as well, Mr. Chairman, but I must again emphasize that once a person is under the water you need a large number of people to be able to find him and that the time is very limited. After 2 or 3 minutes, I think it is too late. MR. F. K. Hu (in English):-My question is the same as Mr. FORSGATE'S. It probably has already been answered by Mr. Lo. I think the Swimming Pool and Beach Sub-Committee did study the question of scuba diving and provision of rescue services on beaches, but partly because of the reasons stated by Mr. Lo and partly because of the cost involved, the recommendation was to drop it for the time being. CHAIRMAN (in English):-That is so. MR. LAWRENCE H. L. FUNG (in English):-Mr. Chairman, short of power boats I believe the quickest way for a lifeguard to get to a swimmer in distress is to paddle himself out by surf-board and this is quite a normal piece of equipment for lifeguards in Hawaii and Australia. Can consideration be given to supplying lifeguards with surf-boards? MR. LO (in English):-Mr. Chairman, at the moment, they are already using catamarans which can be rowed to the place where the swimmer is in difficulties. I am not sure whether the lifeguard on the beach swimming out even with the help of the surf-board would get there any quicker.

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Page 41 of 174

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

MR. CHEONG-LEEN (in English):-Can my friend assure me that

this is not a subtle form of male chauvinism?

MR. Lo (in English):-I can SO assure Mr. CHEONG-LEEN. (Laughter).

CHAIRMAN (in English):-Mr. Peter C. K. CHAN has been very patiently waiting for his turn.

MR. PETER C. K. CHAN (in English):-Mr. Chairman, since the Chairman of the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee in answering my previous question agreed that as the sunlight starts at 5.30 a.m. tennis courts were opened at 6 a.m. since 1st June, is there any reason why we should not adjust the manning of beaches so that lifeguards start at 6 a.m. because people start swimming at 5.30 a.m. and that leave 12 hours without the presence of the lifeguards?

MR. Lo (in English): -Mr. Chairman, Mr. CHAN has once again outlined the difficulties caused to various activities by this loss of one hour of sunlight in summer. As to the question of changing the hours for swimming pools and so on, when they are in the urban areas, access to them is easier. All these beaches are at outlying districts and the lifeguards have to get there by public transport. To get there to be at work by 6.30 a.m. would be operationally difficult. The swimmers may arrive at their own time by car.

MR. Lo (in English):-I will certainly like to consider that in the R. and A. Select Committee. The other thing of course is that the extra hour in the evening making lifeguards work up to 8.30 p.m., the same time as last year, does not really serve any useful purpose. It is totally dark by about 7.30 p.m. The extra hour does not give any benefit.

MR. CHAN (in English):-That means they can cut one hour in the evening and make an extra hour in the morning. I think that can be done because the sunlight is still the same.

order.

CHAIRMAN (in English):-Mrs. ELLIOTT, Mr. FORSGATE in that

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

MRS. ELLIOTT (in English):-Mr. Chairman, I just want to ask you if I may thank Mr. CHEONG-LEEN for championing the cause of

women.

CHAIRMAN (in English):--Mr. CHEONG-LEEN has thus been duly thanked. One more vote for Mr. CHEONG-LEEN. (Laughter).

MR. FORSGATE (in English):-Mr. Chairman, the recent report on drowning indicates that the person was only found after the Fire Brigade or Marine Police's skin-diving team came along. Could con- sideration be given to lifeguard being trained in the use of skin-diving equipment so that as soon as a person is missing an under-water search can be made, because I think most of us know that a person loses consciousness when he sinks below the surface, and there is not much point in looking around. Possibly, an under-water search might be useful? Could the committee give consideration to that with the experts?

MR. F. K. Hu (in English):-My question is the same as Mr. FORSGATE'S. It probably has already been answered by Mr. Lo. I think the Swimming Pool and Beach Sub-Committee did study the question of scuba diving and provision of rescue services on beaches, but partly because of the reasons stated by Mr. Lo and partly because of the cost involved, the recommendation was to drop it for the time being.

CHAIRMAN (in English):-That is so.

MR. LAWRENCE H. L. FUNG (in English):-Mr. Chairman, short of power boats I believe the quickest way for a lifeguard to get to a swimmer in distress is to paddle himself out by surf-board and this is quite a normal piece of equipment for lifeguards in Hawaii and Australia. Can consideration be given to supplying lifeguards with surf-boards?

1977 — Page 41

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