New regulations strengthening the existing requirements for provision of lifejackets on local vessels and enhancing marine safety during major events at sea came into effect today.

The regulations are the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (Safety & Survey) (Amendment) Regulation 2019 and the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (General) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulation 2019.  

The Marine Department said: "According to the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (Safety & Survey) (Amendment) Regulation 2019, all local vessels are required to carry on board suitable lifejackets, the quantity of which must be not less than the total number of persons which the vessel is licensed to carry.

"Furthermore, all commercial passenger-carrying local vessels which are licensed to carry more than 12 passengers must carry on board infant lifejackets, the quantity of which must not be less than 2.5% of the number of passengers the vessel is licensed to carry."

As the number of children and adults on board for each journey may be different, the Government has developed a life jacket suitable for use by both with the assistance of a local tertiary institution to ensure the amendment regulation's practicability.

The Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (General) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulation 2019 requires children on board to wear lifejackets at all times during events at sea. A list of passengers and crew must also be kept by the vessel's coxswain for emergency purposes.

The department will launch publicity work to enhance public awareness of the new regulations.