Govt Urged To Halt Push For Tighter Boat Safety

Some lawmakers are demanding that the government hold off on proposed plan to tighten safety regulations on pleasure boats, saying some of the proposals are too difficult for operators to meet.

The changes were drawn up after the 2012 Lamma ferry disaster which left 39 people dead.

Members of the Legco's Panel on Economic Development on Monday passed a non-binding motion, demanding a halt to the proposed stricter rules for things like fire safety and staff training on communication equipment.

Transport sector lawmaker Frankie Yick said everyone agrees that safety has to be improved, but claimed the government plans will make many people will go out of business.

He pointed some regulations that are not easy to implement. The lawmaker said only a small number of people employed in the sector can use the technology like VHF communications as stipulated for vessels that can carry over 12 passengers.

"For people to operate that, you have to learn the codes. Like B for beta, C for Charlie and when you expect the people at the age of 50-60, they don't know English at all, they have to learn all this and pass the exam," he said.

Yick told RTHK's Joanne Wong that government's stand that operational details are still being worked out is not acceptable to the industry and details have to be clear before the plan is submitted before the Legco.