MDN 60/2025
SÉCURITÉTyphoon season advice and precautions for vessels in Hong Kong waters
ActiveReceived 21 Mar 2025, 00:00 UTC
Warning text
MARINE DEPARTMENT NOTICE NO. 60/2025 (Navigational Warnings and Related Information)
Typhoon Season
Owners, agents and charterers are requested to remind their ship masters of the need to take precautionary measures during the approach of tropical cyclones.
2. Masters and persons in control of vessels should closely monitor the development of tropical cyclones for making early preparation. This includes carrying out thorough inspections on board to ensure that the engines, mooring gears and other safety equipment of vessels are in good working conditions. When safe and practicable, consideration should be given to arrange vessels to leave the berth in ample time and proceed outside Hong Kong waters for shelter from extreme weather associated with super typhoons.
3. Masters, owners, agents and persons in control of vessels are also reminded of their obligation to comply with any direction issued by the Director of Marine concerning the safe operation of vessels and the port, or in relation to any matter which the Director may give directions under the laws of Hong Kong.
4. When a tropical cyclone warning is issued by the Hong Kong Observatory, every vessel which is moored to the following government mooring buoys shall clear anchors and cables and prepares the main propulsion machinery to full power condition. Such vessel shall, if so directed by the Director, leave the mooring buoy-
“A” mooring “B” mooring A17, A36, A43 B03, B04 A74, A77
Other details of government mooring buoys are available on the Marine Department’s website. (https://www.mardep.gov.hk/en/public-services/port-services/moor/index.html)
5. The master of a ship moored to a government mooring buoy may, at his discretion, drop a bow anchor under foot to lessen the tendency to sheer. This should not impair the efficiency of the mooring, although an anchor should not be used during normal weather conditions.
6. Masters are reminded that every vessel within the waters of Hong Kong must maintain continuous listening watch on the VHF radio channel appropriate to the VHF sector in which the vessel is located, or another VHF channel as may be specified by the Vessel Traffic Centre (call sign “MARDEP”). The Centre will broadcast tropical cyclone information from time to time when tropical cyclone warning signals have been issued. Masters should also listen to local radio broadcasts for weather advisory information bulletins.
7. An inadequately manned vessel during the passage of a tropical cyclone not only places itself at risk but also endangers the port and other vessels. Masters, owners, agents, and charterers of vessels should therefore ensure that sufficient number of qualified crew capable of carrying out all duties to ensure the safety of ship having regard to the pertaining circumstances are on board at all times during the passage of a tropical cyclone. Further information on minimum safe manning levels on ships while in the waters of Hong Kong can be found in Marine Department’s website. (https://www.mardep.gov.hk/en/public-services/port-services/proc/index.html)
8. Coxswains, owners, agents and persons in control of local vessels are advised to take the precautionary measures contained in the Marine Department pamphlet entitled “Measures to Enhance the Safety of Local Vessels During Passage of Tropical Cyclones” well before a tropical cyclone is approaching Hong Kong. The pamphlet is available on the Marine Department’s website. (https://www.mardep.gov.hk/en/publication/materials/pdf/hps_cyclones.pdf)
9. This Notice supersedes Marine Department Notice No. 71 of 2024.
Mr. S.F. WONG Director of Marine
Marine Department Government of the HKSAR Date: 21 March 2025 File Ref.: L/M No. 13/2025 in MD-VTC-F01-045-03A-001-P001
Analysis
ActiveA newer Typhoon season notice is available:MDN 85/2026
Marine Department issues typhoon season guidance for vessel masters, owners and agents in Hong Kong waters. It urges close monitoring of tropical cyclones, inspections of engines and mooring gear, and readiness to leave berth or clear moorings when necessary. Vessels must maintain VHF listening watch and comply with any directions from the Director of Marine. The notice supersedes MDN 71/2024.
- Type
- Weather · severity info
- Location
- Hong Kong waters
- Validity
- From 21 Mar 2025, 00:00 UTC
Date: 21 March 2025 - Hazards
- tropical cyclones, extreme weather associated with super typhoons, strong winds
- Cancels
- MDN 71/2024
Worked out automatically from the warning text on 30 Sept 2026, 12:19 UTC. It can be wrong: the official warning text is the authority.
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