The Marine Department today announced the implementation of measures to encourage more yachts from the Greater Bay Area and around the world to visit Hong Kong.

The department said its three measures will streamline the vetting procedures and enhance the efficiency of port formalities. The ultimate aim is to help the city develop into a yachting hub in Asia.

The measures involve enhancing the Electronic Business System (eBS), relaxing berth requirements, and supporting masters of visiting yachts from the Chinese Mainland to obtain Hong Kong qualifications.

Launched today, the eBS allows the owner or master of a visiting yacht, without the need to engage a local agent, to set up a personal account and conduct one-stop submission of arrival information for preliminary vetting by Hong Kong authorities.

The owner or master can also complete port formalities for their vessel and settle fees via the system.

The department has also developed a Dynamic Yacht Monitoring System, which allows visiting yachts to navigate safely in Hong Kong waters and to anchor in designated areas, without having to reserve berths at privately operated yacht clubs or piers.

The five designated anchorage areas are located at Stanley Bay, Tai Tam Bay, Repulse Bay, Three Fathoms Cove in Sai Kung, and Tai O. Users must have equipped their yachts with an Automatic Identification System and a Very High Frequency radio.

Additionally, the department has authorised the relevant Mainland authority to conduct "Hong Kong Waters Local Knowledge Examinations" on the Mainland. It has also approved seven training institutions to offer recognised training courses.

The department added that as of mid-June the first batch of Mainland yacht masters had successfully passed the examination or received training.