China Cup International Regatta – Acting on information received

by Guy Nowell, Sail-World Asia on 30 Oct 2010
China Cup International Regatta – With the Simpson Marine Passage Race regatta opener from Hong Kong to Longcheer blown out of the water by yesterday’s surprise announcement (http://www.sail-world.com/Asia/China-Cup-Int-Regatta-2010-hits-a-speed-bump...-in-the-garage/76288!click_here) there was never going to be much action on the water today. Just a 28nm delivery from Hong Kong to the Longcheer Yacht Club in Daya Bay.

This morning Sail-World Asia spoke to Roger Tupper, Director of the Hong Kong Marine Department, and asked him for his take on the sudden tightening of pleasure vessel licensing regulations. 'Yesterday morning we (the Marine Dept) received a complaint from a member of the public, notifying us that a number of pleasure vessels operating in breach of Hong Kong marine regulations would be starting a race in Hong Kong waters the next day (ie today, Friday). As a government department we are obliged to take notice of such input from the public, so we advised the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club of the situation. The result you know.'

We asked Mr Tupper whether the Marine Dept and/or the HK Marine Police would be pro-active in enforcing the relevant regulations – after all, a boat motoring out of Hong Kong in the direction of Longcheer is just as much in contravention of regulations as one sailing in a race. Visions of a cordon of police boats at the entrance to the Causeway Bay typhoon shelter, stopping checking, and arresting offenders. 'Anyone caught in contravention of regulations will be prosecuted', he said. We are guessing that the sheriff’s posse stayed at home.

Tupper continued. 'The Hong Kong Marine Dept is committed to supporting and encouraging sporting sailing events, both local regattas and international occasions such as the China Cup. We will be looking at the relevant regulations very carefully, and we are sure that such awkward circumstances will not occur again.' Is this an indication that the Marine Dept may be prepared to start reviewing what many boat users and marine industry members consider to be some fairly archaic pleasure vessel regulations? Now that would be something to look forward to.

After the very pleasant delivery trip to Longcheer (cold drinks, cheese-and-Branston and ham rolls, cold sausages, and we never got as far as the fruitcake), it was time to meet the Border Police and stand in the Immigration queue. A flash mob was quickly convened. But heck, it’s still a good deal when you can drink (free) beer while having your visa checked, right?

Fast forward a couple of hours, and tonight’s main event should have been the prizegiving party for the passage race, but…

So CCIR laid on a Souvenir Presentation Ceremony over at the King Key (go on, say it out loud) Hotel at which each boat crew was presented with medals. One member of the audience noted, 'this is a very clever way of organising things – give out all the prizes on the first day, and then scrap the regatta. Imagine the cost saving!' As CCIR’s Jamie Choi bravely worked her way through the list of boats, CEO David Zhong’s smile became more and more fixed. It was a veeeery loooong ceremony.

Hopefully, things are now back on now track. Racing starts at 1000hrs tomorrow, and if today’s breeze makes a repeat appearance then there will be some tired sailors by the end of tomorrow. Maybe ‘The Sea at Your Heart, Dream of the World’ will sustain them. Pass the sick bag.