The Marine Department and Marine Police will step up vessel inspections and crack down on speeding during the New Year's Eve Countdown Pyrotechnic Show to be held over Victoria Harbour on December 31.

The department and the Police today reminded people to keep appropriate safety measures in mind.

The department expects about 100 vessels will be carrying people to see the fireworks that night, Assistant Director (Port Control) of Marine Raymond Chung said. Most vessels will be on the eastern and western sides of the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, which can accommodate about 140 vessels. If it gets too crowded, officers will divert some of them to other locations, including the waters off Tsim Sha Tsui East.

Mr Chung emphasised that parents should look after children and ensure they wear a lifejacket at all times. Coxswains should keep a passenger and crew list in case it is needed.

In addition, passengers should note the locations of the vessels' emergency exits and lifejackets and note how to put on a lifejacket before the vessels depart.

The department will strengthen vessel inspections on the event day and will enforce guidelines on children wearing lifejackets at all times.

Police Superintendent (Operations) Marine Joseph Li noted that the Marine Police will crack down on speeding vessels on that day, also.