Hong Kong’s once vibrant pleasure boat sector is sinking under the weight of ongoing Covid-19 restrictions.

Two flotillas each of 30 charter boats gathered off central pier in Hong Kong this morning (2 March). In a show of solidarity, and with an SOS addressed directly to the Government, they are seeking to save the embattled leisure sector.

The latest move follows on from a one-off subsidy and more recently a plea for assistance issued to the Government by the Hong Kong Boating Industry Association on 16 February. In the letter HKBIA chair Lawrence Chow wrote:

“Whilst we are grateful for the general relief measures that have been released so far, in particular the Employment Support Scheme, there is still need for more targeted support for sectors where businesses have been required to effectively cease operating to comply with restrictions. The Boat Charter and Boating Specialized Media sector were unable to operate for approximately half the year in 2020 and this is currently ongoing. As you can imagine this has had a devastating impact on their business.

“We hope the next round of relief measures could address these particular sectors to help keep them in business during this difficult period.

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