New Navigation Channels in works area for construction of Hong Kong Link Road

For approximately 30 months, construction of bridge structures for the Hong Kong Link Road will continue to be carried out in the following two works areas:

WORKS AREA 1: This area is bounded by straight lines joining (A) to (B), and (C) to (D), and shorelines in-between these two straight lines:
(A) 22 deg. 17.488’N / 113 deg. 55.772’E
(B) 22 deg. 55.497’E / 113 deg. 55.497’E
(C) 22 deg. 17.620’N / 113 deg. 53.734’E
(D) 22 deg. 17.263’N /113 deg. 53.651’E

Several sections of silt curtains, extending from the sea surface to the seabed, will be established along the southern shoreline of the Hong Kong International Airport. The silt curtain is a large piece of netting used to contain mud and sediments. Yellow markers fitted with yellow flashing lights will be laid to mark the extent of the silt curtains.

In this area, a non-specified channel with a width of about 46 metres is provided for vessels to pass through the works area. Vessels sailing through this works area should observe the extent of the working area around each working vessel which is marked by yellow marker buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights.

WORKS AREA 2: This area is bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (C) to (I):
(C) 22 deg. 17.620’N / 113 deg. 53.734’E
(D) 22 deg. 17.263’N / 113 deg. 53.651’E
(E) 22 deg. 16.319’N / 113 deg. 52.233’E
(F) 22 deg. 16.791’N / 113 deg. 50.989’E
(G) 22 deg. 16.911’N / 113 deg. 51.032’E
(H) 22 deg. 16.614’N / 113 deg. 51.815’E
(I) 22 deg. 16.697’N / 113 deg. 52.571’E

To enable vessels to run across the waters in the west of this area, two specified “One way traffic” channels with a width of 100 metres and vertical clearance of 41 metres will be established with effect from 25 July 2016. These two channels are marked by two pairs of lateral light buoys at positions from (LR1) to (LR4) and from (LR5) to (LR8) for northbound and southbound respectively, and four fixed red lights on the constructed piles at positions from (FR1) to (FR4).

The green lateral light buoys are all conical buoys with light characteristics of flashing green in 6 seconds for (LR1) and (LR5), and flashing green in 2 seconds for (LR3) and (LR7). The red lateral light buoys are all can buoys with light characteristics of flashing red in 6 seconds for (LR2) and (LR6), and flashing red in 2 seconds for (LR4) and (LR8). All lateral light buoys are fitted with radar reflectors.

The positions (WGS 84 Datum) of the lateral light buoys and fixed red lights are as follows:-

NORTHBOUND NAVIGATION CHANNEL:

Lateral light buoys:
(LR1) 22 deg. 16.297’N / 113 deg. 51.923’E
(LR2) 22 deg. 16.314’N / 113 deg. 51.838’E
(LR3) 22 deg. 16.403’N / 113 deg. 51.947’E
(LR4) 22 deg. 16.420’N / 113 deg. 51.862’E

Fixed red lights:
(FR1) 22 deg. 16.492’N / 113 deg. 51.969’E
(FR2) 22 deg. 16.510’N / 113 deg. 51.882’E

SOUTHBOUND NAVIGATION CHANNEL:

Lateral light buoys:
(LR5) 22 deg. 16.752’N / 113 deg. 51.891’E
(LR6) 22 deg. 16.782’N / 113 deg. 51.810’E
(LR7) 22 deg. 16.652’N / 113 deg. 51.847’E
(LR8) 22 deg. 16.682’N / 113 deg. 51.766’E

Fixed red lights:
(FR3) 22 deg. 16.567’N / 113 deg. 51.810’E
(FR4) 22 deg. 16.598’N / 113 deg. 51.729’E

The works will be carried out by a flotilla of working vessels including derrick lighters, crane barges, flat-top barges and various types of construction vessels. Some tugboats, work boats and guard boats will provide assistance. The number and type of vessels engaged in the works will change from time to time to suit operational requirements.

A working area of approximately 100 metres will be established around each working vessel. Yellow marker buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights will be laid to mark the positions of the anchors extending from the working vessels.

To facilitate the works, 6 yellow marker buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights will be laid at the following positions (WGS 84 Datum):
(MB1) 22 deg. 17.376’N / 113 deg. 55.745’E
(MB2) 22 deg. 17.543’N / 113 deg. 54.018’E
(MB3) 22 deg. 17.016’N / 113 deg. 53.303’E
(MB4) 22 deg. 16.671’N / 113 deg. 52.762’E
(MB5) 22 deg. 16.319’N / 113 deg. 52.233’E
(MB6) 22 deg. 17.122’N / 113 deg. 53.210’E

The hours of works will be round-the-clock.

Vessels engaged in the works will display signals as prescribed in international and local regulations.

Vessels navigating in the vicinity should proceed with caution.

(For information about operations in Hong Kong contact GAC Hong Kong at [email protected])
Source: Government of Hong Kong SAR Marine Department Notice No.100 of 2016