5 Guangdong-registered yachts to sail into Hong Kong as southbound scheme launches

Five yachts registered under the Guangdong jurisdiction will enter Hong Kong waters on Friday as the Southbound Yacht Travel Scheme commences, announced city marine chief Wong Sai-fat. The launch, the first of its kind, will accompany a formal ceremony and signifies the government's commitment to expanding Hong Kong's yacht economy.

The scheme, outlined in the city's five-year plan and latest policy address, enables mainland Chinese vessels to register via the Marine Department's Electronic Business System, facilitating navigation within Hong Kong waters.

Wong emphasized that the scheme treats both local and visiting yachts equally, imposing enforcement actions for any breaches of the law. His department will monitor yacht safety and activities using a dynamic system, ensuring navigational safety and minimal impact on marine ecology. Twenty-three individuals or groups have already registered through the system, with five yachts scheduled to enter Hong Kong waters on Friday. Additionally, around 300 mainland yacht masters are qualified to navigate local waters.

To cater to visiting vessels, authorities have designated five berthing areas at Tai O, Repulse Bay, Tai Tam Bay, Stanley Bay, and Three Fathoms Cove in Sai Kung. These areas will accommodate 115 berths, sufficient to meet the demand from mainland yachts. Wong stated that the government has assessed vessel traffic in these areas, dismissing concerns about potential harm to marine ecology.

He confirmed that authorities will monitor and manage traffic through a dynamic, real-time system and impose penalties for minor breaches, referring serious offenses to mainland authorities.