50 new yacht berths estimated for ‘Free Travel’ yachting

Marine and Water Bureau director Susana Wong Soi Man estimates that a total of 50 provisional berths for yachts can be provided on the waterway near Coloane Pier for the ‘Free Yacht Travel Scheme’ between Macau and Zhonshang soon.
The Bureau director told reporters on Wednesday evening that the hardware facilities for these provisional berths, which are located on the waterway in front of the Concordia Industrial Park in Coloane, are almost completed. She predicts that these new berths for yachts can be opened for use during the middle of the year, when the yacht travel scheme will supposedly be officially launched.
However, Ms. Wong said that the authorities have not set a date for commencing the service, claiming that the Bureau and the Zhongshan authorities still need to work on the issues of Customs duty and border patrol.
The 50 provisional berths will increase the total number of berths in Macau to 129, with 57 off Lam Mau Pier on the Macau Peninsula managed by Macau Yacht Club and 22 others at Macau Fisherman’s Wharf.
Meanwhile, the Bureau announced earlier this week that yacht skippers in the city will only be allowed to join the free travel scheme between the cities after attending a one-day supplementary training course offered by the Bureau and passing the related examination on May 31 or June 7.
K.L.