MDN 25/2026
DISTRESSChinese New Year fireworks in Central Harbour off Wan Chai (18 Feb 2026)
No longer in forceReceived 10 Feb 2026, 00:00 UTCArchived 30 Sept 2026, 12:45 UTC
Warning text
Positions open on the mapMARINE DEPARTMENT NOTICE NO. 25/2026 (Navigational Warning & Related Information)
2026 Chinese New Year Fireworks Display
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a fireworks display will take place in the Central Harbour, in an area off Wan Chai, at 2000 hours on Wednesday, 18 February 2026 (“the Event”).
2. The fireworks will be discharged from three barges and eight pontoons anchored off the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
3. It is anticipated that a large number of spectator vessels will gather in the Central Harbour to view the display. Pursuant to Part 10A of the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (General) Regulation (Cap. 548F) with regard to the Requirements Relating to Passenger Safety during Major Events at Sea, a Specified Area will be established in the Central Harbour.
4. The Specified Area comprising a Restricted Area and a Closed Area is formed by the shoreline of both sides of the Victoria Harbour and straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (A) to (B) as the eastern boundary; and from (C) to (E) as the western boundary:
Latitude Longitude (A) 22 18.011’N 114 11.368’E (B) 22 17.476’N 114 11.541’E (C) 22 17.915’N 114 09.490’E (D) 22 17.406’N 114 09.267’E (E) 22 17.266’N 114 09.227’E
5. The Closed Area is formed by four straight lines joining the following positions (WGS 84 Datum):
Latitude Longitude (1) 22-17.37N 114-10.62E (2) 22-17.20N 114-10.62E (3) 22-17.20N 114-10.06E (4) 22-17.37N 114-10.06E
6. Within the Closed Area, three barges (a) to (c) and eight pontoons (d) to (k) for the discharge of fireworks and pyrotechnics will be anchored at the following positions (WGS 84 Datum):
Latitude Longitude (a) 22 17.287’N 114 10.518’E (b) 22 17.287’N 114 10.341’E (c) 22 17.287’N 114 10.164’E (d) 22 17.293’N 114 10.472’E (e) 22 17.281’N 114 10.438’E (f) 22 17.284’N 114 10.410’E (g) 22 17.287’N 114 10.382’E (h) 22 17.287’N 114 10.300’E (i) 22 17.284’N 114 10.272’E (j) 22 17.281’N 114 10.244’E (k) 22 17.293’N 114 10.210’E
7. The fireworks firing barges and pyrotechnics firing pontoons staying inside the Closed Area are connected by wire ropes. The Closed Area will be closed to all marine traffic, except craft directly involved in the fireworks display, Government launches and vessels with special permission from the Director of Marine (to be collectively called excepted vessels) during the period between 1400 hours and about 2230 hours on 18 February 2026.
8. A Restricted Area will also be established in the Central Harbour with the following details:
(i) The Eastern Cordon Line (“ECL”) of the Restricted Area is a straight line joining the south extremity of MTR Hung Hom Freight Terminal Pier and the breakwater at Kellett Island, Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club. The Western Cordon Line (“WCL”) of the Restricted Area is a straight line joining the southwest extremity of the Ocean Terminal and the Central Government Pier.
(ii) No vessels, other than excepted vessels, will be allowed to enter or remain within the Restricted Area during the period from 1900 hours to about 2100 hours on 18 February 2026.
9. Other than the Closed Area and the Restricted Area, spectator vessels are allowed to enter or remain in the remaining water areas of the Specified Area during the period from 1800 hours to about 2100 hours (“specified period”) on 18 February 2026. These vessels shall comply with the requirements of the marine traffic control measures with details given in the Annex to this Notice.
10. A drawing showing the Specified Area, Restricted Area, Cordon Lines and Closed Area is attached to this Notice.
11. To prevent speeding and minimise head-on encounters of vessels after the fireworks display, the WCL and ECL of the Restricted Area will be lifted at stagger time, i.e. the WCL will be lifted at about 2100 hours on 18 February 2026 and the ECL will be lifted later depending on the traffic condition in the Central Harbour. It is anticipated that the Restricted Area will be completely lifted at about 2115 hours on 18 February 2026.
12. To facilitate the landside crowd control, the public landing steps No.1, 2, 3 and 4 at Kowloon Public Pier will be closed from 1800 hours to about 2100 hours on 18 February 2026, and the public landing steps No.5 and 6 at Kowloon Public Pier will be closed from 1800 hours on 18 February 2026 to about 0000 hours on 19 February 2026. The other public landing steps within the Restricted Area will be closed from 1830 hours to about 2100 hours on 18 February 2026.
13. In the event of inclement weather and emergency, the fireworks display may be postponed to the fallback date of Thursday, 19 February 2026, at 2000 hours, with the same control measures as aforementioned.
Mr. S.F. WONG Director of Marine
Marine Department Government of the HKSAR Date: 10 February 2026 File Ref: L/M. No. 1260/25 in MD-HPS-F01-015-04A-001
Annex
MARINE DEPARTMENT NOTICE NO. 25/2026
Marine Traffic Control Measures For the 2026 Chinese New Year Fireworks Display
Ferry Services
ALL SCHEDULED FERRY SERVICES IN THE CENTRAL HARBOUR WILL BE SUSPENDED from 1900 hours to about 2100 hours on 18 February 2026, except for those run by ferry vessels with special permission from the Director of Marine to continue services between 1900 hours and 1940 hours on 18 February 2026.
2. ALL ferry vessels permitted to continue services between 1900 hours and 1940 hours on 18 February 2026, must maintain a minimum safe passing distance of 250 metres from the fireworks firing barges and the pyrotechnics firing pontoons. They should also be either secured to their berths or leave the Restricted Area before 1940 hours on 18 February 2026.
3. The Transport Department will detail the re-scheduling of ferry services in a separate notice.
Viewing Area
4. Spectator vessels gathering inside the Specified Area, other than the Restricted Area and the Closed Area, during the specified period are advised to keep clear of ferry piers, China Ferry Terminal and the Hong Kong and Macau Ferry Terminal. Masters/coxswains are advised to stem the tide during the fireworks display to avoid intruding into the Restricted Area.
Safety Measures by All Vessels
5. Vessels approaching the Restricted Area before the fireworks display and vessels leaving their viewing positions after the display must proceed at a safe speed, which should not generally exceed 5 knots. Every vessel must at all times maintain a proper lookout, and take measures to avoid obscuring the view of any person keeping a lookout, including switching off the cabin lights. Searchlights
must not be used as they may interfere with the proper lookout and the safe operation of other vessels.
6. Masters/coxswains, owners, agents and operators of spectator vessels are advised to take the following steps before the start of the voyage:
(a) all persons on board are made aware of the location of all lifesaving appliances and instructed on the proper way to wear a lifejacket, and the location of all emergency exits;
(b) all children on board are required to wear lifejackets at all times and accompanied by an adult;
(c) a passenger and crew list containing the names of passengers and crew on board is kept by the master/coxswain for emergency purposes; and
(d) the carrying capacity specified in the operating licence of the vessel is adhered to.
7. When a vessel requires immediate assistance, the master/coxswain of the vessel may:
(a) signal for assistance by using the distress signals set out in the Annex to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972 and its amendments; (b) call the Vessel Traffic Centre, Marine Department (call-sign “MARDEP, HONG KONG”) on VHF Channel 02; (c) call the Marine Regional Command & Control Centre, Hong Kong Police Force on telephone 3660 8608 or 3660 8609 or 3660 8620; or (d) call the emergency number 999.
8. Masters/coxswains, owners, agents and operators of small vessels, especially those without a deck or those of less than 5 metres in length, are advised NOT to enter or remain in the Central Harbour area during the Event. Such vessels are vulnerable to the wash of larger vessels in areas of high traffic density, and are not easily detected by larger vessels, which have higher freeboard.
9. Launches of the Marine Department, Marine Police and Fire Services Department will be stationed in or patrolling the Central Harbour. They will exhibit either a flashing red or a flashing blue light. Masters/coxswains should follow any instructions given by the officers on these launches.
Closure of Public Piers and Landing Steps
10. To facilitate landside crowd control, the public landing steps No.1, 2, 3 and 4 at Kowloon Public Pier will be temporarily closed from 1800 hours to about 2100 hours on 18 February 2026, and the public landing steps No.5 and 6 at Kowloon Public Pier will be temporarily closed from 1800 hours on 18 February 2026 to about 0000 hours on 19 February 2026. The other public landing steps within the Restricted Area will be closed from 1830 hours to about 2100 hours on 18 February 2026.
11. Owing to high demand of landing facilities within the Restricted Area immediately after their reopening, some delay to the disembarkation of passengers is inevitable. For the sake of safety, masters/coxswains of vessels are advised not to leave their viewing positions hurriedly after the Event; and consider using landing facilities outside the Central Harbour for disembarkation.
Buffer Zone
12. For safe and orderly disembarkation of passengers, three Buffer Zones, one at Kowloon Public Pier (KPP), one at Kwun Tong Public Pier (KTPP) and the other at Central Pier 9 (CP 9) and 10 (CP 10), will be established immediately after the Event until the traffic returns to normal. The Buffer Zones extend about 90 metres from the piers and are marked and regulated by Marine Department and Marine Police launches. Vessels intending to use KPP, KTPP, CP 9 or CP 10 are required to wait at the designated gathering area prior to getting alongside and follow the direction of Marine Department or Marine Police officers. Vessels using KPP will only be permitted to enter the Buffer Zone from the east and leave from the west. Vessels using KTPP should wait outside the Kwun Tong
Typhoon Shelter for their turns to get alongside, enter the Buffer Zone from the east and leave from the west. To expedite disembarkation, masters/coxswains are advised to remind passengers to check their personal belongings early.
Strengthening Inspection on Compliance of Safety Measures by Spectator Vessels
13. To ensure that the spectator vessels comply with the legal requirements and take proper safety measures, the Marine Department will step up inspection on their lifesaving appliances; suitable lifejackets for children and infants; children must wear lifejackets at all times; children to be accompanied by an adult; keeping a list of all passengers and crew on board; and not being under the influence of alcohol and drugs. If any deficiencies are detected in any of the aforementioned respects during an inspection, the coxswain of the vessel or any person concerned may be prosecuted if he or she fails to comply with relevant legal requirements. Masters/coxswains, owners, agents and operators are advised to observe all safety measures given in this Notice to avoid any unnecessary delay, and more importantly, to safeguard the safety of passengers and crew.
Requirements Relating to Passenger Safety
14. To enhance the safety of passengers, a local vessel licensed to carry passengers which is present in a “specified area” during the “specified period” in a major event at sea must comply with the following requirements:
(a) Children must be accompanied by an adult on board
The coxswain of the vessel must not allow a child (a person under the age of 12 years) to be on board the vessel unless the child is accompanied by an adult.
(b) Suitable lifejackets for children and infants
(i) the coxswain of the vessel must provide the adult who is accompanying a child with a suitable lifejacket for the child, take reasonable steps to demonstrate to the adult how the lifejacket should be worn by the child and remind the adult of the requirements as detailed in (ii) and (iii) below;
(ii) the adult accompanying a child (other than an infant under the age of 2 years) on board the vessel must ensure that the child wears a suitable lifejacket at all times; and
(iii) the adult accompanying an infant (a person under the age of 2 years) on board the vessel must ensure that the safety of the infant will not be prejudiced by not wearing a suitable lifejacket on board the vessel.
(c) Producing a list of all persons on board
(i) the coxswain of the vessel must keep a list of all persons on board covering each person’s full name. In the case of children, the particulars shall also include their age and the full name(s) of the accompanying adult(s). The coxswain must not allow any person who fails to give the said particulars to board or to remain on board the vessel.
(ii) the person or the adult accompanying a child on board must give the said particulars to the coxswain or a crew member of the vessel if so requested by the coxswain or the crew member.
(iii) the coxswain must produce the list for inspection on request by an authorized officer.
15. Masters/coxswains, owners, agents and operators must observe the aforementioned requirements and exercise due diligence to comply with. A person who without reasonable excuse fails to comply with the requirements commits an offence and is liable to a fine of HK$5,000.
16 The above requirements do not apply to a local vessel which is:
(a) made fast to the shore;
(b) in use for a franchised service or licensed service under the Ferry Services Ordinance (Cap. 104); or
(c) berthed, moored, anchored or secured in a typhoon shelter.
Location map
Open on the full mapAnalysis
No longer in forceA fireworks display will be held in Central Harbour off Wan Chai at 2000 UTC on 18 February 2026, fired from three barges and eight pontoons anchored off the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. A Specified Area (Restricted Area and Closed Area) will be established with closures and traffic control; large spectator vessel presence expected. Closures and restrictions apply on 18 February 2026 with some public landing step closures extending to about 0000 UTC on 19 February 2026. A fallback date of 19 February 2026 at 2000 UTC may be used with the same arrangements.
- Type
- Restricted area · severity moderate
- Feed
- Security and restricted areasAll warnings of this kind on the map, or as an API feed.
- Location
- Central Harbour, Victoria Harbour, off Wan Chai and HK Convention and Exhibition Centre
- Validity
- From 18 Feb 2026, 14:00 UTC
Until 19 Feb 2026, 00:00 UTCClosed Area closed between 1400 hours and about 2230 hours on 18 February 2026; Restricted Area from 1900 hours to about 2100 hours on 18 February 2026; spectator areas 1800 to about 2100 hours on 18 February 2026. Public landing steps No.5 and 6 closed from 1800 hours on 18 February 2026 to about 0 - Activity periods
- 18 Feb 2026, 14:00 UTC - 18 Feb 2026, 22:30 UTC (Closed Area closed to all marine traffic except excepted vessels between 1400 and about 2230 UTC on 18 Feb 2026)
- 18 Feb 2026, 19:00 UTC - 18 Feb 2026, 21:00 UTC (Restricted Area: no vessels except excepted vessels from 1900 to about 2100 UTC; WCL lifted about 2100 UTC and ECL later, anticipated fully lifted about 2115 UTC)
- 18 Feb 2026, 18:00 UTC - 18 Feb 2026, 21:00 UTC (Specified period: spectator vessels allowed in remaining water areas of Specified Area from 1800 to about 2100 UTC on 18 Feb 2026)
- 18 Feb 2026, 19:00 UTC - 18 Feb 2026, 21:00 UTC (All scheduled ferry services in Central Harbour suspended 1900 to about 2100 UTC, except permitted services may continue to 1940 UTC with conditions)
- 18 Feb 2026, 18:00 UTC - 19 Feb 2026, 00:00 UTC (Public landing steps No.5 and 6 at Kowloon Public Pier closed from 1800 UTC on 18 Feb to about 0000 UTC on 19 Feb 2026)
- Hazards
- fireworks discharge, anchored firing barges and pontoons, high density spectator vessel traffic, restricted/closed navigation areas
Worked out automatically from the warning text on 30 Sept 2026, 11:22 UTC. It can be wrong: the official warning text is the authority.
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