News - 消息

  • 14 Feb 2022 12:56 | The Chair (Administrator)

    Dear Members,

    Please refer to the following letter that has been sent to Mrs Carrie Lam and the Food and Health Bureau to request the government to exempt Captain/Crew from the latest Covid-19 regulations.



  • 12 Feb 2022 09:59 | The Chair (Administrator)

    Privately owned Class IV vessels are classified as “private spaces”. As they are not “public spaces”, the group gathering regulation (Cap. 599G) does not apply.

    Class IV Charter Boats that are hired for social gatherings are classified as “Party Rooms”. 


    SCENARIO

    QUESTION:

    "I wonder if you can help by advising what the situation is if you have two
    paid crew on a pleasure boat.
      If they are working legally on the boat do
    they count as a "household each " ? Or are they looked upon as the hired
    help and you can still have two "households" on board ?"

    ANSWER:

    Anyone not ordinarily living in the same household will be considered
    separately and so in your scenario you would have:
    - two paid crew (if they lived together then they would be one household or
    if living separately, they would be two households)
    - one family (one household)
    - one family (one household)
    Thus in this case a 599G s.8E breach would be committed (there are at least
    three households here).

    It would not matter that the crew work for the family that owns the boat if
    they would not ordinarily live together under the same roof.
    Exemptions include where multiple families live together under the same
    roof and also 'Carers' of persons in particular need etc are also exempt.

    The 'multi-household' offence states that :
    (1)
           If  a prohibited multi-household gathering takes place, each of the
      following          persons          commits         an         offence:-

          (a) a person who participates in the gathering;
          (b) a person who organizes the gathering;
          (c) a person who: -
             (i) owns, controls or operates the premises at which the gathering
    takes place; and
             (ii) knowingly allows the taking place of the gathering.

    (2)
          The offender is liable on conviction to a fine at level 4 (HK$25,000)
      and   to   imprisonment  for  6  months  (however,  under  (a),  persons
      participating in the gathering may be subject to a Fixed Penalty of HK
      $5,000 instead).

  • 31 Jan 2022 09:25 | The Chair (Administrator)

    Subsidy Scheme for Beauty Parlours, Massage Establishments and Party Rooms 2022 application arrangements (CHARTER BOATS)

    *****************************************************************************

         Pursuant to the earlier announcement to launch the fifth round of the Anti-epidemic Fund (Fund) to provide a one-off subsidy to business premises which have been directed to suspend business operations since January 7, 2022, the Government will launch the Subsidy Scheme for Beauty Parlours, Massage Establishments and Party Rooms 2022 (the Scheme).

         As multiple types and a great number of business premises will be covered under the Scheme, in line with the arrangement in the previous three rounds, a dedicated website (bmpsubsidy.gov.hk) will be set up to receive applications. The online application system will facilitate submission of applications by concerned operators and efficient processing of applications and disbursement of subsidies.
     
         The Scheme Secretariat is now pressing ahead with the preparatory work. Applications under the Scheme will open on February 7 (Monday).
     
         The application arrangements of the Scheme are as follows:

    Beneficiaries
     
         Beauty parlours, massage establishments and party rooms (including local pleasure vessels let for hire or reward (pleasure vessels)) that have suspended operations since January 7 pursuant to the closure order issued by the Government under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) will be eligible for the Scheme. The Scheme is also applicable to beauty parlours, massage establishments and party rooms operated by social enterprises (SEs).

    Subsidy amount
     
         Each eligible beauty parlour or massage establishment will receive a one-off subsidy depending on its number of workers:
     
    Number of workers Subsidy amount
    1 to 2 workers $15,000
    3 to 4 workers $30,000
    5 or more workers $50,000
     
         The maximum subsidy amount for beauty parlour or massage establishment chain stores operated by a single entity under the same business registration is $1.5 million.
     
         Each eligible party room or pleasure vessel will receive a one-off subsidy of $20,000.

    Application period
     
         The online application system will commence operation at 9am on February 7 (Monday). The deadline for application is 11.59pm on February 20 (Sunday).

    Application methods
     
    • Beauty parlours, massage establishments and party rooms with a business registration should file their applications through the Scheme's dedicated online application website (bmpsubsidy.gov.hk) within the application period.
    • SE operators of beauty parlours, massage establishments and party rooms without a business registration should submit their applications via the Hong Kong Council of Social Service.
    • Owners of pleasure vessels do not need to use the online application system to file an application. The Marine Department will issue a notification letter to the owners of all eligible pleasure vessels owners by late January. The Department will handle the relevant procedures and the disbursement of the subsidy. 

    Information and enquiries
     
         A dedicated telephone hotline (1836 188) and email (info@bmpsubsidy.hk) will commence operation at 9am on January 26 (Wednesday) to handle enquiries on the details of the Scheme. Information on the Scheme will also be available at the hotline's voice response system from 2pm on January 24 (Monday).

    Disbursement of subsidy
     
         The Scheme is expected to benefit about 13 000 eligible premises (including pleasure vessels). A sum of $318 million has been earmarked under the Fund for the Scheme. The Scheme Secretariat will give priority to the processing of applications from successful applicants in the previous three rounds of the Scheme, with a view of disbursing the subsidy from mid-February onwards.

     

    Ends/Wednesday, January 19, 2022
    Issued at HKT 18:35


  • 5 Jan 2022 09:29 | The Chair (Administrator)

    Howden Group has purchased the business portfolio of Hong Kong-based Expat Marine Ltd., well known in yachting circles thanks to its principals, Peter McTavish and Colin Dawson. Howden Group is a UK-based broking house with operations in 45 territories and over 9000 employees. The transfer took effect as of December 1, 2021. The deal for Expat was agreed and signed with Howden Insurance Brokers (HK) Limited, part of Howden Group Holdings and which has been in Hong Kong since 1994.

    Dawson, who has partnered with Expat Marine for the past 12 years handling Expat’s yacht insurance business of over 250 yacht clients, says that he will continue the partnership with the Howden Group.

    Howden Group Holdings is the largest independently owned insurance group in the world, with a large marine business, mostly focused on commercial shipping. Howden worldwide places US$11 billion in premiums to the insurance market each year. Dawson says that this will “make it easier when discussing risks with insurers.”

    “This partnership will allow us to benefit from Howden’s reach in the market, have access to insurers we previously didn’t have and join with a network of Howden offices, enabling us to improve our offering to clients. It also allows teams at Howden to access my 25 year’s specialist experience with yacht insurance, assisting them give greater value to their clients,” Dawson said of the new tie up.

    Dawson and his team’s contact details will remain the same while Expat merges into the Howden group. Dawson stressed that day-to-day operations will not change. He added that he expects to be able to offer even better service to his clientele.

    “With a broader reach, I am confident this change will allow us to present a more complete package to yacht owners and the surrounding yacht industry, allowing us to offer better value to them,” Dawson said, adding that he hoped to offer “better and more stable programmes” for his clients in what is now a very difficult yacht insurance market.

    Dawson said that the Howden Group has a large office in London and has three other recent acquisitions in the UK and the South of France that specialise in insurance for yachts of all sizes. The company was founded in 1994 and has become one of Europe’s largest insurance broking businesses.

    www.howdenhk.com

    www.expathk.com/marine


  • 31 Dec 2021 07:40 | The Chair (Administrator)

    Dear Members,

    The HKBIA council wishes you a Happy New Year!


    2021 has been a remarkable year for the vast majority of sectors in the boating industry and we hope this will continue through 2022.

    Please refer to the 2020/2021 overview to learn more about what the HKBIA has done this year and what we have planned for 2022.

    DOWNLOAD LINK BELOW:

    HKBIA OVERVIEW.pdf


  • 29 Dec 2021 10:23 | The Chair (Administrator)

    Asia Yacht Services joins HKBIA as a Standard member!

    Asia Yacht Services, “AYS” was founded in 2004 to offer a bespoke range of services to yachtsmen and yachtswomen in Asia waters including yacht sales, yacht charters and yacht support. Over time we had close relationships with well known brands such as Grand Banks, Salona and Williams jet-tenders as well as representing famous Dutch shipyards Jongert, Moonen and Royal Huisman. The company is located in the Gold Coast Yacht & Country Club with its award winning 340 berth marina and we became the go to agents for visiting yachts and super yachts offering a reliable and economical service during their visits.

    2008 was a game changing year when AYS acquired the franchise to represent Northrop and Johnson in Asia. N&J were the first global brokerage house to open shop in Asia and our joint venture quickly grew to a thriving yacht brokerage with some 10 sales and charter brokers spread over the area. For 10 years Norhtrop and Johnson Asia was the leading international yacht brokerage with a successful business selling, chartering and managing large yachts in the HKG and South East Asia yacht arena. The pinnacle of this era was the sale of Sea Eagle 2, an 81M custom built Mega Sailing Yacht built by Royal Huisman in the Netherlands.

    With the unexpected global pandemic, recreational boating in Hong Kong had a gangbuster 2020 and a new team saw the value of the brand Asia Yacht Services and changed its dormant status into a pro-active yacht company once more. Their efforts were awarded with the exclusive appointment as dealer for Grand Soleil Yachts made in Italy.

    Executive Director Sytske Kimman who also runs My Yacht Moments, an active yacht charter company with bespoke charter services in Hong Kong and beyond, has moved forward to recreate some of the core services in AYS including two prominent dealerships and is preparing to support the visiting super yachts that will return to Hong Kong waters soon.

    www.asiayachtservices.com


  • 25 Dec 2021 09:34 | The Chair (Administrator)

    Azimut Yachts HK has joined HKBIA as a Gold Member!

    Azimut Yachts is the Italian boat builder known for unparalleled quality and authentic style. We are proud to introduce you to the Azimut Yachts world, offering new and used boats and adding our experience and the highest levels of service quality.

    www.azimutyachts.hk





  • 23 Dec 2021 09:30 | The Chair (Administrator)

    Ferreti Group Asia Pacific joins HKBIA as a Platinum Member!

    Ferretti Group is the world leader in designing, building and marketing luxury motor yachts. Our exclusive portfolio consists of some of the most prestigious brands in the world, including: Ferretti Yachts, Pershing, Itama, Riva, CRN, Custom Line and Wally. Ferretti Group yachts are distinguished by their excellent quality, safety, performance at sea, and design. Each brand in Ferretti Group has its own unique charm which makes it immediately recognizable. Ferretti Group’s global presence throughout Europe, the Americas and Asia Pacific regions are supported by a sales and distribution organization with an exclusive network of 60 carefully selected dealers and yacht brokers who market our luxury yachts for sale in over 80 countries.

    Ferretti Group Asia Pacific services the markets from Japan to Australia/New Zealand with its sales and service center headquarters in Hong Kong, as well as several representative offices and sales centers in Shanghai and other locations in China, as well as dealership presences in fourteen countries.

    www.ferrettigroupasiapacific.com



  • 21 Dec 2021 06:15 | The Chair (Administrator)

    Dear Members,

    2021 continues to be a strong year for the industry as people turn to water sports for leisure whilst travel is still restricted.

    Since the start of the year, the HKBIA council has been working hard towards hosting the first Hong Kong Boat Show at Lantau Yacht Club (LYC). We believe an industry led Boat Show will showcase the positive impact the boating industry has to our economy and community in Hong Kong. Talks with LYC had started early in the year, followed with months of preparation and planning. Due to the uncertainties of Omicron, the dates of the show will be announced later.

    In the meantime, the council will continue to plan for the show – stay tuned for further updates.

    More information can be accessed from the link below:

    HKBIA Boat Show Overview.pdf


Hong Kong BIA – A new voice for the leisure marine trade in Hong Kong

香港遊艇業總會- 一個新的香港休閒海事行業發聲平台


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