The Marine Police will investigate cases of dangerous kayaks being rented at Sha Ha beach, Acting Chief Inspector Sunny Wong said. People have ended up swimming, sometimes with children. The reports emerged on a Sai Kung focused Facebook chat-room.
Sunny said these may be incidences “of endangering safety of others at sea,” which is against the law. “We will definitely look into it.” The Marine Police will liaise with the Marine Department on the matter. Sunny said he was concerned that children may have been put at risk.
The chat-room is a closed group so we have deleted the names. One writer said he rented a kayak at Sha Ha that sunk and they had to be rescued by a passing boat. Another said they tried to charge $500 for a pre-damaged boat and claimed children were being exploited. A woman said she was mortified because they kayaked weekly with a toddler. A further complainant said a kayak rented at Sheung Sze Wan had sunk under them.
There are two kayak rental operations at Sha Ha. One run by “Kwok” is recommended by several people for friendliness and service. It is apparently the other one that is remiss.
Superintendent Justin Shave, Commander of Marine East Division at Tui Min Hoi, told SAI KUNG BUZZ 13 people drowned in Sai Kung waters in the past 12 months, for a variety of reasons.
We have revised the original story to take account of comments received.
Typo?? recommended by several people for friendless and service.