Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

     Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     The Marine Department today (November 12) reminded masters, coxswains and persons-in-charge of vessels navigating in Hong Kong waters to proceed at a safe speed and exercise extreme caution because restricted visibility of less than 2 nautical miles has been reported.

     Appropriate sound signals shall be made when underway or at anchor. All vessels must comply with the International Regulations for Preventing Collision at Sea.

     Also, when radar is used without the benefit of adequate plotting facilities, the information obtained from the equipment is rather limited and should be construed accordingly.

     Visibility reports are broadcast by the Vessel Traffic Centre (VTC) on VHF channels 02, 12, 14, 63 and 67.

     In the event of an accident, a report shall be made immediately to the VTC at Tel: 2233 7801.

     Super Gourmet, a food premises located at Lei Tung Market in Ap Lei Chau, illegally installed furnaces and an exhaust system without obtaining prior approval from the Environmental Protection Department (EPD). The restaurant owner, Fancy Vantage International Limited, was convicted and fined $10,000 at Eastern Magistrates’ Courts today (November 12) for contravening the Air Pollution Control (Furnaces, Ovens and Chimneys) (Installation and Alteration) Regulations.
      
     The EPD received a complaint from a member of the public this April against the nuisance caused by the cooking fumes emitted from the food premises at Lei Tung Market. Upon investigation, it was found that the total fuel consumption capacity of the cooking equipment installed at Super Gourmet exceeded the statutory limit. However, prior approval had not been given by the EPD for the installation works. In addition, the inappropriate positioning of the outlet of its exhaust system hindered the effective dispersion of emissions, thus affecting nearby residents. The EPD subsequently prosecuted the operating company under the Regulations.
      
     The spokesman reminded members of the food business that if they intend to install or alter furnaces, ovens, chimneys or flues with total gaseous fuel consumption capacity exceeding the exemption limit of 1150 megajoules per hour, they have to submit an application to the EPD for the installation or alteration works in accordance with the regulations requirements, and such works can only be carried out after obtaining approval from the EPD. In addition, the exhaust system and other air pollution control systems of fuel-burning equipment should be properly designed to avoid causing air pollution or nuisance to the public.
      
     According to the Air Pollution Control (Furnaces, Ovens and Chimneys) (Installation and Alteration) Regulations, offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and a daily fine of $500 may be imposed for a continuing offence.

The following is issued on behalf of the Advisory Committee on Arts Development:
 
     The Advisory Committee on Arts Development (ACAD) today (November 12) launched the eighth-round funding exercise under the Arts Capacity Development Funding Scheme (ACDFS). The ACDFS provides funding support for innovative and impactful proposals that contribute to the capacity development objectives of arts practitioners, arts groups, art forms and/or the arts sector, programme/content development, audience building and arts education, including large-scale and cross-year arts and cultural initiatives and covering various art forms such as performing arts, visual and media arts, arts education, arts administration, community arts and multi-disciplinary arts. The ACAD hopes that the scheme will help cultivate a supportive culture for arts in the community and foster a tripartite partnership between the Government, arts groups and the private sector to promote arts and cultural development in Hong Kong.
      
     Assessment criteria for applications include artistic/professional merit, creativity and originality, impact on the arts sector and the community, technical feasibility and financial viability of the proposed initiatives and activities, as well as the experience and execution capability of the applicant and participating arts practitioners.
      
     The ACDFS will disburse an annual provision of approximately $30 million in the form of Springboard Grants and Project Grants.
      
     Springboard Grants are matching grants that support arts groups in their overall development, elevating them to a higher level of professional operation. The minimum pledged income or sponsorship of applicant arts groups is $1 million, of which not less than $250,000 has to come from non-government sponsorship and/or private donation. A 200 per cent matching grant up to a maximum amount of $3 million may be provided and the funding period may last for a maximum of two years. Successful applicants with proven performance may apply for a second Springboard Grant up to a maximum amount of $4.5 million with a funding period of three years at most. For a second Springboard Grant, the minimum pledged income or sponsorship for arts groups is $1.5 million, of which not less than $375,000 has to come from non-government sponsorship and/or private donation. It is envisaged that a maximum grant of $7.5 million for two terms of support in five years will help promote the growth of an arts group.
      
     Project Grants are direct grants which provide successful applicants with funding support up to a ceiling of $2 million to organise large-scale and impactful projects, which may require a longer duration for implementation. The overall expenditure of the proposed activities in an application should be at or above $800,000.
      
     The eighth-round funding exercise under the ACDFS is open for application from today to January 4, 2019 (up to 6pm). The Guide to Application and relevant materials have been uploaded to the website of the Home Affairs Bureau (www.hab.gov.hk). Application workshops will be held on November 15 and 22 and details can be found on the above website. ACAD expects that application results will be released around June 2019.

     The Immigration Department is appealing to travellers to vote in the annual courtesy campaign at Hong Kong's 13 immigration control points.
 
     An Immigration spokesman said today (November 12), "The campaign will be conducted from November 19 to 25 to encourage staff to provide courteous and efficient services to the public, and will also help promote Hong Kong tourism.
 
     "Travellers are encouraged to vote for officers who perform commendable immigration clearance services. They can obtain a ballot form from a member of staff, then fill in their own name, their travel document or Hong Kong identity card number, the date and the officer's name, and then put the form into one of the ballot boxes placed behind the immigration counters at the control point."
 
     With the wide use of the e-Channel service at immigration control points, e-Channel users can also vote for staff members who offer commendable services in assisting them to use the automated service.
 
     The campaign will be publicised at immigration control points during the voting period.
 
     The Immigration Control Officer with the highest number of votes will be appointed as a Hong Kong Courtesy Ambassador by the Hong Kong Tourism Board.
 
     For enquiries, please visit the Immigration Department website www.immd.gov.hk or call our hotline 2824 6111 or fax to 2877 7711.

        

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (November 11) that Tung Chung Swimming Pool in Islands District has been temporarily closed for cleaning and superchlorination following the discovery of a small amount of vomit in the pool.

     It will be reopened at 6.30am tomorrow.

     The department appeals to swimmers to be considerate and to keep the swimming pools clean. They are advised not to swim after a full meal and should use the toilet facilities if necessary before swimming.