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The Marine Department has prosecuted eight cases involving yacht hotels in five years, with a maximum fine of 10,000 members: the rent is paid

2022-05-11T06:28:07.498Z


Under the epidemic, it is difficult for citizens to travel abroad. From time to time, online businesses provide "yacht homestay" services. The Secretary for Transport and Housing, Chen Fan, said in the Legislative Council today (11th) that pleasure boats provide non-pleasure


Under the epidemic, it is difficult for citizens to travel abroad. From time to time, online businesses provide "yacht homestay" services.

The Secretary for Transport and Housing, Chen Fan, said in the Legislative Council today (11th) that it is illegal to provide non-pleasure services for pleasure vessels, and the owner and agent of the pleasure vessel can be fined up to 10,000 yuan. In October last year, the department launched a special operation to "release snakes" at the typhoon shelters in Shau Kei Wan and Aberdeen, and discovered two cases involving the use of pleasure boats as hotels. Prosecution proceedings are under way.

He also said that in the past five years, 27 illegal cases involving pleasure boats have been successfully prosecuted, eight of which involved the use of boats as hotels.


Several lawmakers criticized the Marine Department for its lack of law enforcement, and the number of prosecutions was very small. Some lawmakers bluntly said that "the fine of 10,000 mosquitoes and the rent will be paid" and demanded that the Marine Department strengthen its efforts to crack down on illegal acts.


▼Aberdeen South Typhoon Shelter Level 3 fire on June 27, 2021▼


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The Marine Department released snakes twice last year and found two "yacht homestays"

Ho Chun-yin, Member of the Legislative Council for Agriculture and Fisheries, raised an oral question on the management of typhoon shelters at the Legislative Council meeting today. He mentioned that there were three near-boat fires in typhoon shelters in the second half of last year, and he was even more suspected to be related to the illegal operation of "Staycation at sea".

In response, Chen Fan said that the Marine Department has also noticed that some people have recently used the Internet to distribute advertisements for the business of homestays on yachts. Snake" and found two "yacht homestay" cases, which are currently being prosecuted.

The Marine Department has successfully prosecuted 27 violations against pleasure boats in the past five years, eight of which involved operating hotels.

(File photo/Photo by Guo Qianwen)

In the past five years, 27 cases of illegal pleasure boats were prosecuted, and eight cases were related to operating hotels.

Chen Fan reiterated that according to the relevant license regulations, all pleasure boats can only be used for recreational purposes. It is illegal to operate homestays, hotels and accommodation purposes. Once convicted, the owner and agent can be fined up to 10,000 yuan.

He pointed out that the Marine Department conducts inspections in Hong Kong waters from time to time and conducts investigations based on complaints. In the past five years, it has successfully prosecuted 27 cases of violations of pleasure boats, eight of which involved the illegal operation of hotels, and pointed out that patrols will be stepped up.

Many lawmakers criticized Xie Weijun for insufficient law enforcement: fined 10,000 yuan over the rent

Several Legislative Council members criticized the lack of enforcement efforts and the low number of prosecutions. Among them, Xie Weijun questioned that the maximum fine of 10,000 yuan is difficult to deter. "The first 27 cases in five years, the maximum of 10,000 mosquitoes, the rent will be paid." Whether it is possible to consider establishing a licensing system for legal "Staycation at sea"; Yao Pak Leung, a member of the Legislative Council of the tourism industry, pointed out that illegal "yacht B&Bs" are unfair to ordinary licensed B&Bs and guesthouses, criticizing the lack of Marine Department's efforts as a culprit all the time. Question: "How many times have you done inspections and released snakes during the epidemic?"

Chen Fan said that the Marine Department would step up its efforts to inspect illegal typhoon shelters.

(Photo by Liao Yanxiong)

Chen Fan responded that the Marine Department would step up inspections, and explained that local ships used to be able to stay there in the past, but due to improved conditions, they can no longer stay there.

Chen Fan: Review the typhoon shelter berth supply in the second half of the year

As for the management of typhoon shelters, Chen Fan said that there are currently 14 typhoon shelters in Hong Kong, providing 419 hectares of berth area for local and visiting vessels to berth. It is planning to extend the pilot scheme to the Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter where there are more fishing vessels.

He also said that an assessment of the supply of typhoon shelter berths was conducted in 2017, and it is expected that the supply will be sufficient in 2030. The assessment will also be done this year, and the results are expected in the second half of the year. Stakeholders' opinions will be reviewed at that time.

Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter fishing boat sank, rescuers confirmed no one was injured, Yau Ma Tei Typhoon Shelter pontoon caught fire, smoke engulfed mid-air New Yau Ma Tei Typhoon Shelter pontoon caught fire South shelter from the typhoon pond fire|The boat house exploded 80% of the boats with people living in the Marine Department for 4 and a half years and prosecuted 6 yachts

Source: hk1

All news articles on 2022-05-11

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