The Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA) announced in a statement yesterday that 34 vessel accidents were officially recorded in Macau waters last year, involving stranding, collision of vessels and vessel fires, of which seven were passenger ships.
The bureau held a meeting to discuss with passenger ferry companies the points to note when navigating with a view to minimising the risk of accidents, as well as sharing and exchanging different experiences to raise the awareness of passenger ship companies on safe navigation, with the attendance of representatives from TurboJET, Cotai Water Jet, and Yuet Tung Shipping, as well as the passenger service operators cooperating with the ferry operators.
During the meeting, the bureau introduced the recent changes in the navigational environment in Macau waters and reminded shipping companies to pay attention to the key points of navigation, including the need to pay attention to the sea conditions at all times when operating high-speed passenger ferries, and to strictly comply with the rules of navigation and collision avoidance, so as to ensure navigational safety.
The bureau also said that fog often occurs in Macau in spring, resulting in poor visibility on the sea surface, and for reasons such as typhoon prevention and sheltering, or marine works, the bureau would implement navigational control measures, the statement said, adding that passenger ferry companies must maintain safe speed, and cooperate with the navigational instructions given by the bureau’s Vessel Traffic Management Centre, so that they can enter and exit the port in an orderly manner.
In addition, the bureau said in a separate statement yesterday that some ferry services from Macau to Zhongshan, Shekou and Shenzhen airport were suspended due to the foggy weather yesterday to ensure passenger safety.
The statement did not say when the ferry services will be resumed.
According to the statement, the bureau will keep a close watch on weather changes, properly monitor and control the sea lanes, while maintaining close coordination with shipping companies to adjust sailings in a timely manner to ensure navigational safety.
The bureau anticipated that the weather in Macau may remain foggy in the next few days, which may cause delays or suspension of ferry services, the statement said, reminding members of the public who need to use marine passenger transport services to check with the shipping operators about the ferry schedules and ticketing conditions, and to use the official “Macao Maritime Info” mobile phone application to keep up-to-date on the conditions at the various ferry terminals in Macau, so as to make proper travel arrangements in advance.
This undated photo provided by the Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA) yesterday shows a ferry sailing in local waters.
