Pleasure boat industry is being stifled by government inertia

Kwun Tong typhoon shelter.  Courtesy SCMP

I've written about this before.  The government here is now stuck in a mode of the least done the safer...
Below, a detailed look at the issue of lack of moorings in Hong Kong, by Howard Winn of Lai See column in the South China Morning Post of 24 October.
The link is here ($). [PDF (free)]

There has been increasing concern over the past few years over the shortage of moorings for private pleasure vessels. Indeed, it is apparent that government intransigence is strangling the local boating industry and stifling Hong Kong's potential to be a thriving boating hub. There are about 18,000 local craft of which about half are categorised as pleasure vessels. Of these, nearly 700 are yachts, about 2,500 are motor boats and junks, and about 4,500 are essentially small speed boats. Many of the latter can be kept on land and don't need moorings.

There are about 2,800 recognised private moorings which exist in private boat clubs and typhoon shelters, which falls a good deal short of the demand. Outside these, there are also a number of designated mooring areas around Hong Kong but according to the Marine Department no more moorings can be laid as a result of objections from "villagers" and other curious brotherhood organisations requiring payment for loss of ancestral fishing rights and so on. Increasingly, boats are anchoring in various bays around the city. The mooring shortage has been exacerbated by the department's ban on subletting and sale of moorings.

Walawala 2 abandons ship -- all safe

Walawala 2, with Steve Manning helming, Stevo to his left

Not exactly breaking news this, I'm afraid, but posting for the record, and with thanks that all are well.  Another case of good training and coordination of emergency measures leading to all safely rescued (Tipsy Frenz also lost at sea, June 2012)  Great news on that front, as we know a number of the crew on board.  Kudos, to the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club and HK Government's marine emergency bodies, especially the Government Flying Services.

According to one crew member, they were having a quick trip, in winds of 18-25 knots at 140-150 TWA, boat speed 15 knots topping at 21 knots, in control with full mainsail and A6 kite, when they had the rudder incident, quick ingress of water, losing it quick and had to bail out...
SCMP Report ($) [PDF]

Report from the RHKYC [Link] [PDF]:

At 0135hrs local hours on Friday 18 October, Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (RHKYC) Sailing Manager, Alex Johnston, received a distress call via satellite phone from the skipper of Walawala 2, Steven Manning, reporting that the yacht had lost its rudder and was taking on water.  Manning also advised that there were no injuries to the 10 crew. 

At this time the crew activated the yacht’s EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon).