mariner's quotes

Heavy rain and occasional thunder this morning, and Loshue tried to demolish the bathroom door while I showered.  Just the excuse I need to stay home and rest.

Meant to do this for a long time.  Here goes:

the sea has no patience for the unprepared -anon (?)

the more your sweat in training, the less you bleed in battle - (navy seal motto)

The length of a man's boat should equal his age - anon

All boats are compromises.  A good boat makes good compromises; a bad one does not. - Fred Brooks

Just as beauty in woman creates allure and inspires affection, so it does in a boat. - William Snaith

A small sailing craft is not only beautiful, it is seductive and full of strange promise and the hint of trouble.  - E.B. White

A sloppy, ill-kept ship is ever the mark of a poor sailor and an indication of indifference or ignorance or both. - Harvey Garrett Smith

Only fools and passengers drink at sea - Alan Villiers

A fool at sea judges his position by what he conceives to be his nearness to a given object, but the prudent man insists on two bearings. - anon

The first rule of coastal cruising: start early, finish early.  - anon

Though a large vessel is usually more comfortable than a small one, size has little to do with safety in open water.  A little vessel yields to every movement of the sea - herein lies her safety.  The huge unyielding bulk of a great ship exposes her to the full force of every blow.

It's always time to reef when you think it is. -- Thomas Fleming Day

We all like to see people sea-sick when we are not ourselves.  -  Mark Twain

It is best for the mariner, if he can manage it, not to think too deeply during times of stress.  - Ralph Stock

When the porpoise jumps, look out for your pumps -- old weather saying

When all about are losing their heads, the captain must keep his. - anon

The one real crime at sea is the crime of indecision -- John Irving

No man is fit to command another that cannot command himself -- William Penn

A man may be tolerated in a racing yacht in spite of his moral delinquencies and faults of temper, because he is a very smart seaman, but a sloven should be given a very wide berth, as he will not only be offensive to the rest of the crew, but in all probability not a good seaman. -- Dixon Kemp

When a [yacht] fails to make her port to windward, in nine cases out of ten it is the crew that fails rather than the vessel.  -  Claud Worth

It was midnight and our captain was fast asleep.  But Capt. Kennedy jumping upon deck, and seeing the danger, ordered the ship to wear round, all sails standing.  An operation dangerous to the masts, but in carried us clear, and we escaped shipwreck, for we were running right upon the rocks on which the lighthouse was erected.  This deliverance impressed me strongly with the utility of lighthouses, and made me resolve to encourage the building of more of them in America, if I should live to return there -- Benjamin Franklin, on escaping shipwreck on the Scilly Isles.

A caution, always work the tides.  - Frank Cowper

Never go into strange places on a falling tide without a pilot -- Thomas Gibson Bowles

Out of sight of land the sailor feels safe.  It is the beach that worries him.  - Charles G. Davis

Vessels are sometimes retarded, and sometimes forwarded in their voyages, by currents at sea, which are not often perceived.  -  Benjamin Franklin

Some day the history of the sea will be divided into two great periods.  The Age of SImplicity and the Age of Complication.  -  Felix Riesenberg

The poetry of the sea is written on shore.  -  Laura Alexandrine Smith

In a rowing craft you find that you are closer to the water than you ever were before, no matter how much boating you have done in other craft.  You are much more aware of sea and weather conditions, and see more of your surroundings than you ever did before.  You get into places, holes, and creeks you never really knew existed.  --  R.D. "Pete" Culler

In a rowboat you are propelled without any noise or expense of fuel; you can explore shallow water regions without damaging your propeller.  If it becomes a little cool you can keep yourself warm quite easily.  In fact, rowing in temperatures down to freezing is very comfortable.  While it is true that rowing races are apt to shorten one's life, still rowing for pleasure will greatly lengthen the life span.  But best of all, it will greatly reduce the waistline.  --  L. Francis Herreshoff

Rowing is life life.  We don't know where we're going, but we have a clear view of where we have been.  -- anon

Rowers leave nothing behind them but the swirls from their oar blades.  - Mac McCarthy

On the water no one can hear you scream.  -  T-shirt slogan seen at a rowing regatta

From first to last the seaman's thoughts are very much concerned with his anchors.  It is not so much that the anchor is a symbol of hope as it is the heaviest object that he has to handle on board his ship at san in the usual routine if his duties.  The beginning and the end of every passage are marked distinctly by work about the ship's anchors.  --  Joseph Conrad

A harbor, even if it is a little harbor, is a good thing.  -  Sarah Orne Jewett

Medical Fitness Certificate (Seafarers)

Hong Kong Regulations

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MERCHANT SHIPPING (SEAFARERS) (MEDICAL EXAMINATION) REGULATION - SCHEDULE 1

MEDICAL AND VISUAL STANDARDS FOR SERVING SEAFARERS

[sections 6(1), 11(5) & 17]

Introduction

1. Seafaring is a potentially hazardous occupation which calls for a high
standard of health and fitness in those entering or re-entering the industry.
A satisfactory standard of continuing good health is necessary for serving
seafarers throughout their career. These medical and visual standards
therefore give guidance on the health criteria to be met by a serving seafarer
applying for a medical fitness certificate.

2. In setting the standards, allowance has been made for the inevitable
impairment of health that time and chance bring, but firm recommendations have
been made to exclude applicants suffering from medical conditions considered
to be incompatible with continued seafaring. Such medical conditions include
amongst others neoplasms, hypertension and other cardiac conditions where the
uncertainty of prognosis makes the risks in continued seafaring unacceptable.

3. It is clearly impossible to encompass within the standards specific advice
on every relevant medical condition. However, as a general rule an approved
medical practitioner should be satisfied when examining an applicant for a
medical fitness certificate that no disease or defect is present which could
either be aggravated by working at sea or could represent an unacceptable
health risk to the individual seafarer or to other crew members.

4. Apart from the purely medical aspects, the occupational background of
seafaring should be considered especially in a case of doubt. It must be
remembered that a ship is not only a place of work requiring attention
throughout the day and night but also a temporary home in which the crew must
eat, sleep and find recreation. While much can be done to ameliorate living
and working conditions on board ship, certain inherent characteristics remain.
A crew is a closed community living in a ship that is seldom quiet or still.
Individual eating habits and tastes cannot easily be met; facilities for
physical exercise are limited; forced ventilation systems are used; the tedium
of routine can easily become oppressive in the absence of normal diversions
enjoyed by those ashore. An inability to fit in, or unwillingness to take
responsibility, or to accept a reasonable measure of necessary discipline,
could impair the safe and efficient working of the ship.

5 Very few merchant ships carry doctors on board nowadays. Acute illness or
injury is dealt with by designated ships' officers whose training is limited
to first aid or medical aid treatment. It should also be borne in mind that
the size of a crew complement is carefully adjusted. Sickness can throw a
burden on other crew members or even impair the efficient working of a ship.
An approved medical practitioner should therefore be satisfied that no
condition is present in the applicant which is likely to cause trouble during
a voyage and that no treatment is being followed which might cause worrying
side effects. It would be unsafe practice to permit a seafarer to serve at sea
suffering from a medical condition in which serious exacerbation requiring
expert treatment could occur.

6. The absence of a doctor in most merchant ships also means that seafarers
will not be able readily to consult a doctor or to obtain special treatment
until the next port of call. Ship turnaround in ports is often very rapid,
allowing no time for necessary investigation subsequent to consultation with a
doctor. The standard of medical practice varies from port to port also and
necessary medical facilities may not be available at the smaller, more remote
ports. It is doubtful if it is ever wise to permit a seafarer to serve at sea
if the loss of a necessary medicament could precipitate the rapid
deterioration of a medical condition.

7. Special care should be taken when examining an applicant who-

(a)  has a doubtful medical history;

(b)  is likely to spend long periods in tropical climates;

(c)  is likely to join ships by air travel; or

(d)  has recently served or is intending to serve on bulk chemical 
     carriers.

Notes:

(1) In addition to symptoms caused by acute conditions such as catarrh of the
ear and sinuses (baratrauma), air transport sometimes leads to other
disabilities such as breathlessness, dizziness, etc. becoming manifest. Such
cases will require further investigation since the findings may well reflect
on the applicant's suitability for further unrestricted sea service.

(2) An applicant in category (d) above should be subjected to a blood test in
addition to other medical examination procedures.

8. Physical requirements may vary between different types of ships, their
departments and individual jobs in them. However, all seafaring jobs need an
acceptable degree of fitness, in accordance with these standards, which is
uniform for all shipping trades. The imposition of a restriction under
section 6(2) of this Regulation may serve to avoid a particular type of trade
or a prolonged voyage where there is some specified medical contra-indication,
but careful consideration is necessary before any restriction is imposed. The
type of restriction and the length of time for which it will operate should be
made clear. The requirements of an advised treatment regime should never be
set aside.

9. Despite the shortness of the voyage, even coastal work can be arduous and
uncomfortable. A restriction to that type of work should be considered as an
alternative to refusal of a certificate only if the shortness of voyage will
permit adequate treatment of the medical condition causing concern.

Examination Procedures

1. When it is necessary to consult with other doctors the usual professional
ethical considerations will appertain, but it should be clearly understood
that the final decision on fitness in accordance with the required medical and
visual standards rests with the approved medical practitioner, subject to the
provisions of section 9(2) of this Regulation.

2. An applicant for a medical fitness certificate shall be placed in one of
the following categories by reference to the category letter ascribed in these
Standards to any medical condition diagnosed in respect of him- A. Fit for sea
service without restriction. B. Permanently unfit for sea service. C.
Indefinitely unfit for sea service. D. Temporarily unfit for sea service. E.
Fit for sea service subject to restriction. An applicant in respect of whom no
adverse medical condition is diagnosed shall be placed in category A.

3. (1) An applicant placed in category A shall be granted a
medical fitness certificate without restriction, but subject to the maximum
period of validity specified in section 8 of this Regulation.

(2) An applicant placed in category B shall be refused a medical 
fitness certificate. Any medical fitness certificate in his possession shall
be cancelled.

(3) An applicant placed in category C shall be refused a medical 
fitness certificate and informed that he may apply for a further examination
after a specified number of months. Any medical fitness  certificate in his
possession shall be suspended until such further examination.

(4) An applicant placed in category D shall be refused a medical 
fitness certificate and informed that he may apply for a further examination
after a specified number of weeks. Any medical fitness  certificate in his
possession shall be suspended until such further examination.

(5) An applicant placed in category E shall be granted a medical 
fitness certificate with specified restrictions operating for a specified
length of time and subject to the maximum period of validity specified in
section 8 of this Regulation.

(6) An applicant who fails to satisfy an approved medical practitioner only in
respect of colour visual standards shall be granted a certificate completed
only as to Part A.

Medical Standards

1. General

Any infectious or contagious disease-D. Malignant Neoplasms-B.

Note: Consideration can be given to passing cases of rodent ulcers which have
responded satisfactorily to treatment.

2. Ear, Nose & Throat

(a)  Ear Acute and Chronic Otitis Externa-D. Should be completely healed
     before returning to sea. Care is required in passing fit for tropics.
     Acute Otitis Media-D. Chronic Otitis Media-D. May become A or E after
     satisfactory treatment or surgery. Special care is required in passing
     fit for tropics or where air travel is involved. Loss of hearing-A
     degree sufficient to interfere with efficiency-B. -Unilateral complete
     loss of hearing-B. Meniere's Disease-B.

Notes:

(1) No audio-metric standard has been set for the purposes of this Regulation.

(2) Impaired hearing acuity should be referred for full investigation by an
ENT surgeon.

(3) The use of a satisfactory hearing aid at work by certain catering
department personnel can be accepted where not hearing an instruction would
not result in a danger to the seafarer or others. The hearing aid should be
sufficiently effective to allow communication at normal conversational tones.

(4) The use of a hearing aid by those working in, or associated with, the deck
or engine room departments, including electricians and radio officers, should
not be accepted.

(b)  Nose Nasal obstruction. Septal abnormality or polypus-D. Acute
     sinusitis-D. Chronic sinusitis-if disabling and frequently
     relapsing-B.

(c)  Throat A history of frequent sore throats or unhealthy tonsils with
     adenitis-D.

(d)  Speech Defects If likely to render seafarer inefficient-B.

3. Respiratory System

The respiratory system should be free from acute or chronic disease causing
disability. Chronic Bronchitis and/or Emphysema-Category depends on severity.
Mild uncomplicated cases with good exercise tolerance may be A, but cases with
recurring illness causing disability should be B. Bronchial Asthma-B.
Pulmonary Tuberculosis-C. Most cases are unsuitable for further seafaring but
if the approved medical practitioner is satisfied that the lesion is firmly
healed, the radiological appearance is acceptable and the applicant has
completed a full course of chemotherapy, further service can be considered.
Cases where either one or both lungs have been seriously affected are never
suitable for further service. All relapsed cases will be B.

4. Cardiovascular System

The heart and blood vessels must be healthy. There should be no history, signs
and/or symptoms of heart failure. There should be no significant abnormality
of rate or rhythm or disorder of conduction. There must be no significant
disease of the haemopoietic organs. A material degree of general
arteriosclerosis-B. A history of coronary thrombosis or evidence of coronary
artery disease-B. (All cases that have required coronary artery bypass surgery
come within this category). A history of intermittent claudication, including
any case where vascular surgery was required-B. Any cerebral vascular
accident-B. Any cardiac valve replacement-B. Hypertension-all cases D for
investigation.

Notes:

(1) There should be no evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy and/or strain
on electrocardiography. The blood urea and chest X-ray should be normal.

(2) The maximum acceptable level is 170 mm systolic, 100 mm diastolic,
untreated. The diastolic pressure is to be measured at the fifth sound. Cases
treated with hypotensive drugs or diuretics are unsuitable for further
seafaring. The approved medical practitioner must establish that the use of
these drugs is essential and alternative acceptable therapy is not possible.
All cases should be kept under regular supervision.

5. Disease of Veins

Varicocele-symptomless-A. With symptoms-D for surgical opinion.
Haemorrhoids-not prolapsed, bleeding or causing symptoms-A. Other cases should
be D until satisfactory treatment has been obtained. Varicose Veins-slight
degree-A. Moderate degree without symptoms or oedema may be A, but with
symptoms D for treatment. Recurrent after operation, with symptoms-B. Chronic
varicose ulceration-B. Thin unhealthy scars of healed ulcers or unhealthy skin
or varicose eczema may be B if breakdown is thought likely. Deep vein
thrombosis or recurrent thrombophlebitis-B.

6. Gastro-Intestinal System

Mouth or gum infection-D. Dental defects-D. Seafarers should be dentally fit.
Gastro-intestinal Disease or Disorders-slight case-D. Severe or recurrent and
those requiring special diet and/or regular supervision-B. Peptic Ulceration-D
for investigation. Recurrent peptic ulceration or unsatisfactory operation
result-B.

Notes:

(1) No seafarer with proved ulceration should return to seafaring until free
from symptoms, and on an ordinary diet without treatment for at least 3 months
following evidence of healing on gastroscopy. Whenever possible evidence of
healing should be supported by endoscopic findings.

(2) Cimetidine maintenance therapy. The duodenal ulceration relapse rate while
on treatment is too high for safe seafaring.

Cirrhosis of Liver-B. Pancreatitis-All cases where alcohol is an aetiological
factor-B. Pancreatitis with associated gall bladder disease-after complete
surgical cure of the gall bladder condition and resolution of the
pancreatitis-A or E on case assessment. Recurrent pancreatitis-B.

7. Skin

Special care is required in passing fit for service in the tropics if there is
a history of skin trouble. Catering staff in particular should have no focus
of skin sepsis. Any condition liable to be aggravated by heat, sea air, oil,
caustics or detergents may have to be B. Fungus Infections-D. Acne-most
cases-A, but severe cases and those with cystic acne-B. Psoriasis-most cases
can be A, but some widespread or ulcerated cases should be D for treatment.
Severe cases resistant to treatment or frequently relapsing-B. Sensitization
Dermatosis-D. Refer for dermatological opinion. Acute Eczema-D. No man should
return to duty until skin is completely healthy. Recurrent Eczema-B.
Furunculosis-D. All other cases-D for investigation. Disposal will depend upon
the nature of the condition, probability of recurrence or necessity for long
term treatment.

8. Sexually Transmissible Diseases

All cases of acute infection are D while under treatment. Cases under
surveillance having finished treatment will usually be fit for normal service
but restricted service may be necessary if facilities for supervision are
inadequate. In all cases evidence of satisfactory tests of cure should be
produced.

9. Genito-Urinary System

Hypospadias-minor degree-A. Enlarged Prostate-D for investigation.
Hydrocele-small and symptomless-A; large and/or recurrent-B; if operation
desired-D. Abnormality of the Primary or Secondary Sexual Characteristics-D
for investigation, upon which final decision will rest. Intra-abdominal or
ectopic testis-D if treatment desired; otherwise B. Kidney and Bladder
Diseases-All cases of proteinuria, glycosuria or other urinary abnormalities
should be referred for investigation. Urinary Obstruction-from any cause-D for
investigation. B if not remediable. Acute Urinary Infection-D. Recurrent cases
should not be accepted unless full investigation has proved satisfactory.
Acute Nephritis-D. Subacute or Chronic Nephritis or Nephrosis-B. Renal or
Ureteric Calculus-D for investigation and any necessary treatment. An isolated
attack of renal colic with passage of small calculus may be A after a period
of observation, provided urine and renal functions remain normal and there is
no clinical and radiological evidence of other calculi. Recurrent stone
formation-B. Removal of Kidney-provided the remaining kidney is healthy with
normal function-E. Such cases are unsuitable for service in the tropics or
other conditions of high temperature. Renal Transplant-B. Incontinence of
Urine-B.

10. Endocrine Disease or Metabolic Disorder

Diabetes Mellitus- All cases requiring insulin-B. All gluiosuria cases should
be considered diabetic unless proved to be otherwise. Maturity Onset Diabetic-
Cases controlled by food restriction only and not requiring insulin or other
drugs may be accepted. An initial period of 6 months to cover sick leave and
later restricted service should be allowed to achieve this result. Thereafter,
accepted cases should be subject to medical review at intervals of 6 months.
All other cases of Endocrine Disease-D for investigation upon which decision
will depend. A degree of obesity, with or without complications, adversely
affecting exercise tolerance/mobility/general health-D for treatment. A set of
height/weight tables should be used making allowance for up to 20% excess
weight but none for age. Refractory or Relapsing Cases-B.

11. Central Nervous System

Any type of Epilepsy-B. A single epileptic fit-provided that the past medical
history is clear and investigation has shown no abnormality; re-entry could be
considered after one year without any treatment. Fainting Attacks-D for
assessment. Recurrent attacks with complete or partial loss of consciousness
should be B. Organic Nervous Disease-usually B. Some minor localised disorders
not causing symptoms or incapacity and unlikely to progress may be A.
Migraine-slight infrequent attacks responding quickly to treatment-A. Frequent
attacks causing incapacity-B. Psychosis-B. Psychoneurosis-D for assessment.
Chronic or recurrent-B.

12. Alcohol Abuse

If affecting health by causing physical disability or behavioural disorder-B.

13. Drug Dependence

Dependence on dangerous drugs-B.

14. Musculo/Skeletal System

It is essential that seafarers should have full use of sound upper and lower
limbs throughout a career at sea. Balance, mobility and co-ordination should
be unimpaired. Hernia-D until repaired. Osteo-arthritis-D for assessment.
Advanced cases where disability is present-B.

15. Female Seafarers

There should be no significant gynaecological disorder or disease likely to
cause trouble during the voyage. Employment at sea shall not be permitted
during the term of pregnancy.

Visual Standards

1. No person should be accepted for sea service if any morbid condition of
either eye, or of the lid of either eye, is present and liable to aggravation
or recurrence.

2. New cases of monocular vision are unacceptable for any category of
seafaring. However, monocular seafarers in the engine and catering departments
with a satisfactory record of service prior to 1986 may be allowed to continue
at sea in those departments.

3. Approved medical practitioners should use Ishihara plates to test for
colour vision.

4. Distant vision and colour vision tests may be taken with or without visual
aids (spectacles or contact lenses). However, an applicant who uses visual aid
must reach the required visual standard for both aided and unaided vision.

5. Distant vision tests comprise a letter or shape test and are to be
conducted on Snellen's principle at a virtual distance of 6 metres from the
eye.

6. Unaided vision should be tested first and each eye must be tested
separately.

7. In all cases where visual aids are required for the efficient performance
of an applicant's duties, it shall be a condition of the validity of a
medical fitness certificate that a spare pair is carried when seafaring. Where
different visual aids are used for distant and near vision, a spare pair of
each must be carried. Spare pairs of visual aids must be produced to the
approved medical practitioner during the examination.

8. The following visual standards should be attained by an applicant intending
to serve at sea in the departments specified-

Department Standard

(a)  Deck Officers and Deck Ratings (including General Purpose Ratings) Age
Below 22
years 22 years
and above -Distant vision with or without visual aid Better eye 6/6 6/9*
Other eye 6/9 6/12*
Better eye 6/36 6/60 -Distant vision without visual aid when visual aid
necessary for above Other eye 6/36 6/60 -Near, intermediate and colour vision,
both eyes together, aided or unaided Vision required for ship's navigation
(for example, chart and nautical publication reference, use of bridge
instrumentation and equipment, and identification of navigational aids)
-Visual fields Normal visual fields -Night blindness Vision required to
perform all necessary functions in darkness without compromise -Diplopia
(double vision) No significant condition evident

* If the applicant marginally fails to meet this standard he should be
referred to the Authority. The Authority may permit relaxation of the standard
in particular causes.

(b)  Engineer officers, Radio, Electrical and Electronic Officers and
     ratings forming part of an engine room watch -Distant vision, aided if
     necessary Better eye
Other eye 6/15
6/15 -Distant vision without visual aid when visual aid necessary for above
Better eye
Other eye 6/60
6/60 -Near, intermediate and colour vision, both eyes together, aided or
unaided Vision required to read instruments in close proximity, to operate
equipment, and to identify systems and components as necessary -Visual fields
Sufficient visual fields -Night blindness Vision required to perform all
necessary functions in darkness without compromise -Diplopia (double vision)
No significant condition evident

(c)  Catering and Miscellaneous -Distant and near vision, aided if
     necessary
(monocular vision will be B Visual acuity sufficient to carry out duties
efficiently; but less than 6/60 in "other) eye" unacceptable -Colour vision
need not be tested (Enacted 1995)

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Certificate of Competency in Radiotelephone Restricted (Hong Kong Water)

十多年前理工學院航海學系有辨 [預備試課程], OFTA會派人來考試. 現在情況不祥, 不知現在改了物流學系之後如何?

若 只是用在遊樂船(遊艇)只需 Certificate of Competency in Radiotelephone Restricted (Hong Kong Water),可在香港遊艇會學, 但若是商用船隻(例如, 拖輪, 客船等) 就比較嚴格, 要考[值機員證書]請參考 (海事訓練學院).

本人所知的是20年前的資料, 到今天可能已不合用, 見諒!





參考資料:
Guideline for application of Pleasure Vessel radio network ststion
http://www.ofta.gov.hk/en/legislation/guideline_6d_2a/Guideline/Pleasure_Vessel_Radio_Network_SL-Guideline-e.pdf

Guideline for application of Ship station (Local Craft) Licence
http://www.ofta.gov.hk/en/legislation/guideline_6d_2a/Guideline/Ship-LC-Guideline-e.pdf


For your information only : Royal HK Yacht Club hosts the course:
http://www.rhkyc.org.hk/files/download/training/Shorebased%20course/03Radio.pdf


海事訓練學院
http://www.vtc.edu.hk/itc/stc/c_stc.htm

HK Boaters Do's and Don'ts

Guidelines For Boaters - The Dos & Don'ts

DO assist any boat in distress. slow down when passing dredgers or water areas where divers may be working. slow down when making sharp turns or in bad weather. slow down, or give a wide berth, when passing small craft. learn the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. carry distress signals, especially when operating at night. keep your boat clean. Oil in the bilges or dirty rags are a fire hazard. familiarize yourself with the limitations of your boat. carry an anchor and sufficient length of cable or rope. where practicable, join a boat club and keep yourself fully up-to-date with all the regulation. get yourself familiar with the Traffic Separation Schemes in Hong Kong waters and try to stay clear of fairways when large vessels are using them. consult firing practice schedules, which are published in the Government Gazette, before venturing. learn your Local Storm Signals or carry the card and remember where the signal stations are situated. keep to the outer limit of fairways and narrow channels which lies on your starboard side. keep the licence number of your boat well painted and unobstructed. If you have a mooring, keep it under repair and make sure the number is clearly visible. watch for Marine Department Notices and Notices to Mariners which appears in the web site of Marine Department. carry charts of the areas in which you are operating. stop immediately if the signal "L" (._..)is made to you by light, sound or flag from a Government or Police launch and wait for instructions. learn all important International and Local signals by their flag codes and in some cases in Morse code equivalents where such signals can be made by sound. DON'T pass close to another craft when underway. pass closer than 100 metres from the shore or piers in the Victoria Harbour. stand up or change seats in a small boat, particularly when the boat is full. mix liquor and boating. use a leaky or poorly built boat. operate near swimmers. cruise at a fast speed near smaller boats, the wash caused could well capsize them or cause damage to the boat or injuries to its occupants. leave the tiller or helm unattended, especially when in crowded waters. throw refuse into the sea. sound your horn unnecessarily. wait until last minute before following the Regulations for Preventing Collisions at sea. anchor near other boats so that they are inconvenienced. drop anchor, fish or in anyway make connection with the seabed in areas marked on your charts as "Cable Area", "Cable Reserve" or similar notation. exceed the speed limit in Typhoon Shelter which is five knots (jogging speed). Speed Restricted Zones For Vessels Speed restricted zones for all vessels is set by the Marine Department to ensure safe navigation in the Hong Kong waters. The speed limit in these zones is 5 knots between 8 am and midnight on any Saturday or public holiday, or on any day during the period from 1 July to 15 September in any year. Such a speed limit precludes the towing of water skiers within the zones. The speed restricted zones are: Tolo Harbour T1 Plover Cove (PDF) T2 Sha Tin Hoi (PDF) Port Shelter and Rocky Harbour K1 Tai She Wan (PDF) K2 Tsam Chuk Wan (PDF) K3 Hebe Haven (Pak Sha Wan) K4 East Kiu Tsui Chau (PDF) K5 West Kau Sai Chau (PDF) K6 South Kau Sai Chau (PDF) K7 Bluff Island (PDF) K8 Clear Water Bay (PDF) (PDF) Hong Kong Island, South A1 To Tei Wan (PDF) A2 Tai Tam Harbour (PDF) A3 Stanley Bay (PDF) A4 Chung Hom Wan (PDF) A5 South Bay (PDF) A6 Deep Water Bay (PDF) A10 Tai Tam Bay (PDF) A11 Repulse Bay (PDF) Lamma Island A7 Luk Chau Wan (PDF) A8 Sham Wan (PDF) Cheung Chau A9 Tung Wan (PDF) Lantau Island L1 Discovery Bay (PDF) Before taking a trip, check that you have all the necessary equipment and that it is workable. If you are taking a trip in excess of 24 hours, especially during the months of May to November, contact the Marine Police Duty Controller (Tel (852) 2803 6240). Do not carry more people on your boat than your licence allows. Check the latest weather report. Fog, rain and wind coupled with rough seas are your enemies. If you are in any doubt - don't go. Study the charts to learn the hazards: submerged rocks, strong tides, ocean traffic, fishing obstructions, etc. Remember large vessels cannot take rapid action to avoid collision and fishing vessels may have gear out which could foul your propeller. You should leave with these thoughts firmly fixed in your mind: I will be alert. I will be cautious. I will be seamanlike. I will be courteous and considerate to other boat users.