Everyone in Sai Kung will have seen the boats still sunk, beached or otherwise stranded in the waters around the area. Most notable among them is the Tumberry Tres, still grounded on the sea wall defences close to the car park for the Kau Sai Chau Golf Course.
After Super-typhoon Mangkhut more than 200 boats were stranded or capsized in Sai Kung harbour and Pa Sha Wan. Most of those have now been refloated, salvaged or scrapped, but the Marine Department estimates that at least 20 are still stranded, with many of the owners refusing to do anything. In many cases the ownership is unknown or hidden, or the cost of raising the boats is more than they are worth. This has placed a heavy burden on the government as it must clear away the wrecks but has no way of collecting the costs. In some cases the yachts are not even insured.
The luxury yacht that highlights this problem is the Tumberry Tres. The Marine Department (MD) has repeatedly put up notices ordering the owners to remove the yacht, with four notices prominently displayed for any passer-by to see. The notices, in English and Chinese date from 22 October and from 5 November. In these notices, the owner’s name is “Tumberry owner/person in charge.” It seems they have no idea who it is.
According to Article 56 of the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) Ordinance, “The Director (MD) may give to the owner, his agent or the coxswain of, or other person who claims or appears to the Director to exercise control over, a local vessel which is stranded, abandoned or sunk in the waters of Hong Kong such directions as he thinks fits in respect of the removal, movement, anchoring, mooring, securing, raising or destruction of the vessel. If without reasonable excuse any direction given above is not complied with, the person to whom the direction is given commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine at $25,000 and to imprisonment for 1 year.”
Sai Kung District Council chairman Ng Sze-fuk, George has pointed out in the local Chinese language media that in cases where the owner cannot be identified, the Government cannot do very much and will fail to recover the cost, which then becomes a public burden. He added that earlier this month another, smaller, boat was lifted and taken away, and the owner had to pay HK$500,000, and he estimates that to take away the Tumberry Tres will cost millions. Ng said that one result of this expenditure will be that the government may increase mooring fees by around 25% to recover the lost money.
MD revealed at a recent Sai Kung District Council meeting that they had sent staff on board the vessel to check that there was no fuel on board, and they found no oil spills, so there is no immediate danger. The Marine Department says that it has made contact with the super yacht owners, and is waiting for a reply.
Media reports say that the Tumberry Tres is a 38.1 m luxury yacht, built in Italy by Maiora and delivered in 2005. Her top speed is 32.0 kn and she boasts a maximum cruising range of 1000.0 nm at 27.0 kn with power coming from two 3700.0 hp MTU 16V4000M90 diesel engines. She can accommodate up to 12 people with 6 crew members. A large sun deck has expansive spaces for sun beds and a bar, al fresco dining area and a pop up television screen. Another popular area is the main saloon which is decorated in dark woods and boasts a 50 inch Home Theatre television system that can be lowered into the bar separating the saloon and formal dining area, which seats 10 guests.
The first owner was Vice-Chairperson of Spanish soccer team Real Madrid, Fernando Fernández Tapias. The boat was originally named Nufer and registered in Barcelona. Fernando later renamed the yacht Tumberry Tres, and sold it for 7 million euros (approximately HK$ 63.5 million) in 2015 to a Chinese businessman. The transaction amount and the name of the buyer was not disclosed. Although the boat is worth a lot of money, local sailors say that it was effectively never used or maintained, and many assume it was part of a money laundering exercise.
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