Good sport: Actor Ken Wong receives an appointment letter from Director of Marine Roger Tupper as water-sports safety ambassador.

Actor Ken Wong has been appointed water-sports safety ambassador and will star in a TV announcement in the public interest aimed at raising boaters' and swimmers' safety awareness. 

Director of Marine Roger Tupper presented the appointment letter to Mr Wong at a water sports safety educational seminar today, in which the API was launched.

Mr Tupper said over the past few years fatal marine accidents involving swimmers and boaters had occurred in waters next to popular beaches, especially in the summer season when water sport activities peaked.

"Most of them can be attributed to boaters' inconsiderate or sometimes reckless driving behaviour as well as swimmers being unaware of the potential risk of danger when swimming outside of beach barriers and offshore among anchored boats," Mr Tupper said.

"Marine safety measures are ineffective without the awareness and co-operation of boaters and swimmers, and to address this, the Marine Police, Leisure & Cultural Services Department and Marine Department are putting more effort into education and promotion aspects."

To highlight safety at sea, the combined fleet of the Marine Police and Marine Department will step up patrols near speed-restriction zones and waters surrounding popular gazetted beaches and water sport sites. They will also launch a crackdown on speeders.

A pool of professional lifeguards from the Leisure & Cultural Services Department will also keep an eye out for any dangerous boating activities near gazetted beaches. They will alert Marine Department and Marine Police patrol officers, to take action against offenders.

Mr Tupper expressed his confidence that these measures, combined with co-operation and support from boaters and the public, will enhance water-sports safety in the coming summer season - and years to come.

"Hong Kong will not only continue to be one of the busiest commercial ports in the world, but also a safe and exciting area for marine leisure activities," he said.