Marine Navigation Safety Risk Assessment
In order to formulate an appropriate and effective strategy to manage the potential safety risks
posed on other users of the sea, a Marine Navigational Safety Risk Assessment (MNSRA) was
conducted to address the following questions:
- Where to site it?
- How to mark it?
- How to manage it?
Marine navigation issues have been closely integrated into the site selection described previously,
while the marking and management of the site has been informed by a risk assessment conducted
with respect to international guidelines (DTI, 2005) and in accordance with a methodology agreed
by HK Marine Department.
The MNSRA included a comprehensive assessment of the marine navigation safety risk
implications arising from the establishment of an offshore wind farm in south-eastern Hong Kong
waters and included the identification of key hazards and the quantification of associated risks.
It was identified that the impact of the proposed Wind Farm on marine users is minor, and
Acceptable (with respect to local guidance (EIAO)), given the design features and management
measures proposed to accompany the development.
The MNSRA concluded that restriction is required to manage “created behaviours” anticipated
within the wind farm area. In order to manage these risks it is proposed that the wind farm area is
designated as a controlled waterspace through the development of byelaws or similar legal
instruments. Waterborne access would be restricted to vessels that have applied for permits. The
following vessel restrictions are proposed:
- Marine vessel management with a designated Marine Restricted Area;
- Trawling activity would be prohibited;
- Permitted marine vessels would include all Government vessels and wind farm
maintenance vessels, and may be extended to include dive boats, tourist launches, hand-
line fishing vessels, etc.; and
- Permitted marine vessels are anticipated to be required to carry Automated Identification
System (AIS) transmitters to monitor and safeguard their operations, and ensure they are
seaworthy for offshore conditions.