New measures have been introduced to ensure safe navigation of high-speed craft in Hong Kong waters when visibility is below one nautical mile.

The Marine Department will:

* remind craft operators that speed-restriction exemption permits will be invalid when visibility is below one nautical mile;

* alert masters that the permit granted to their vessels are invalid, and they need to navigate at a safe speed before they are issued permission to leave berths; and,

* require all high-speed craft to install an automatic identification system to facilitate better monitoring of their movement.

If masters fail to observe permit conditions, the document will be withdrawn immediately.

Shortly after last month's Nan Sha 38 accident, the department reminded high-speed craft operators of the speed-exemption conditions at a meeting.

The department today withdrew permits for Nan Hua and New Ferry LXXXIII as they failed to navigate at a safe speed yesterday morning when visibility was low.

The department will continue issuing announcements when visibility is two nautical miles through maritime VHF channels and radio to remind coxswains to exercise extreme caution and to navigate Hong Kong waters at a safe speed. All vessels should comply with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.