Free Yacht Travel Scheme Guidelines to be Released Soon

Coloane yacht berths shipshape and ready for use (Photo provided by Government Information Bureau)

'Free Travel' yachting between Macau and Zhongshan City in Guangdong is expected to become a reality this month. The Marine and Water Bureau of the MSAR's 'Guidelines on the Free Yacht Travel Scheme between Macau and Zhongshan' currently being compiled will detail the maritime situation, application procedures for visiting Macau, guidelines for sailing, location of yacht berths, Immigration and Customs examinations, health inspection and travel information, etc. The guidelines will also provide information on sailing status, sailing safety and procedures among other considerations in order to ensure the safety of yachts sailing between Macau and Zhongshan.

Both the MSAR and Guangdong Government signed a Co-operation Agreement on the free exercise of yachting in July, 2014. According to the agreement, Zhongshan will be the first city to enrol in the free yacht travel scheme between Macau and Zhongshan. Maritime infrastructure in Macau is now completed, and both administrations are reaching an arrangement on border security and arrival and departure issues.

The yacht berthing on the Shizimen Waterway near Coloane Pier will provide 50 provisional berths; currently, there is no limitation on the number of visitors for the free yacht travel scheme. If the scheme receives an enthusiastic response there will be about 150 to 200 more berths for the yacht travel scheme.