Southbound travel for Guangdong yachts scheme to start tmr

The southbound travel for Guangdong yachts scheme will launch its maiden voyage tomorrow with the Marine Department having approved at least five mainland-registered yachts to sail to Hong Kong.

To ensure navigational safety, authorities will step up patrols and enforcement.

Upon arrival, these yachts will have access to 115 designated berths located across five anchorage zones.

They include Repulse Bay and Tai Tam Bay.

However, some of the five anchorage areas lack water and electricity supplies.

On that, Director of Marine Wong Sai-fat says on a radio programme that Hong Kong waters have eight designated offshore fuelling stations.

The department will also have systems in place to "dynamically monitor" the whereabouts of these yachts, and will issue notifications if they enter restricted zones.

For littering, fixed penalties may apply while more serious offences will lead to prosecution.

And if offenders leave Hong Kong, Hong Kong authorities will notify their mainland counterparts for follow-up action.