Marine Department eases yacht rules to attract more global visitors

Yachts can now anchor in designated areas without having to reserve berths.

Hong Kong’s Marine Department has implemented measures to encourage more yachts from the Greater Bay Area and around the world to visit Hong Kong.

The department said this involves enhancing the Electronic Business System (eBS), relaxing berth requirements, and supporting the Mainland’s yacht masters to obtain local qualifications.

The eBS allows owners to set up a personal account and submit arrival information for preliminary vetting by Hong Kong authorities.

They can also complete port formalities and settle fees via the system.

The department has developed a Dynamic Yacht Monitoring System to monitor visiting yachts which can anchor in designated areas without having to reserve berths at private piers.

The areas are located at Stanley Bay, Tai Tam Bay, Repulse Bay, Three Fathoms Cove in Sai Kung, and Tai O.

Users must have equipped their yachts with an Automatic Identification System and a Very High Frequency radio.