Laying Water Pipeline, Cables in Hong Kong Port

 

Hong Kong Marine Department informs that from 2 July 2014 and for approximately 3 months,  marine works involving temporary laying of submarine tracking cables and concrete blocks, pulling of tracking cables, under-seabed water pipeline tunnel drilling works and diving operations will be carried out [between Hei Ling Chau and Sunshine Island] within the works area bounded by the shore and straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (A) to (B) and (C) to (D):
(A) 22 deg. 15.475'N / 114 deg. 02.570'E
(B) 22 deg. 15.668'N / 114 deg. 02.842'E
(C) 22 deg. 15.540'N / 114 deg. 02.815'E
(D) 22 deg. 15.430'N / 114 deg. 02.633'E

The works will be carried out by one work boat. Some guard boats will provide assistance. The number of vessels engaged in the works will change from time to time to suit operational requirements.

To facilitate the laying of submarine tracking cables, two pairs of concrete blocks will be laid approximately along the 3 metres depth contour lines of the respective north-east coast and south-west coast of Hei Ling Chau and Sunshine Island. Each block is a one metre height cube shape structure. Yellow marker buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights will be attached to the blocks to indicate their positions.

After the laying operation, the submarine tracking cables will be pulled to ensure the proper alignment either on 4 July 2014 or 18 July 2014. The cable pulling operation will be carried out between two concrete blocks located on each shore of Hei Ling Chau and Sunshine Island. While the pulling operation is in progress, the water depth within the works area will be temporarily reduced to 2 metres for a few hours. To safeguard the  pulling operation, the guard boats stationing in the works area or patrolling the waters in the vicinity will give necessary guidance to the vessels approaching the works area.

Except on the day of pulling operation, the submarine tracking cables which have been laid on the seabed will not affect normal surface navigation. Upon completion of the under-seabed water pipeline tunnel drilling works, the submarine tracking cables together with those four concrete blocks will be removed from the works area.

The hours of work will be from 0800 to 1800 hours. No works will be carried out on Sundays and public holidays. Vessels employed for the works will not stay in the works area outside the hours of work.

Vessels engaged in the operations will display signals as prescribed in international and local regulations. Diving operations will be carried out from time to time during the hours of work. Vessels navigating in the vicinity should proceed with caution and keep clear at slow speed, bearing in mind the existence of the submarine tracking cables and the concrete blocks in the area.

Source: Government of Hong Kong Marine Department Notice No.83 of 2014