Shelter Cove Beach Clean Up

WORDS AND IMAGES: DONALD DAY

The oceans are polluted, mostly with plastic. This is an unfortunate reality. And everyone who has been sailing, rowing or paddling around Hong Kong can attest to how much debris floats into Hong Kong, often from the Pearl River Delta. Members of our Club have for many years been very active in participating in the beach cleanups we have been organising, mostly at Middle Island. These are great opportunities to help protect the environment, but also participate in a fun activity – especially for children!

Thanks to our fantastic new Club Operations Manager, Peter Murray, we now have the right experience and support in place to expand these worthwhile and well-received activities to other areas of the Club. We have already done two cleanups at Kellett Island, and on 12 November did the first ever cleanup at Shelter Cove.

38 members and guests, with a great number of our youngest members, listened to the safety briefing by the Diving Convenor Donald Day, before embarking on either the sampan, a large RIB or a custom-built Australian aluminum landing craft (the latter two provided by fellow members). Our group went out to the beach around the Outward-Bound facilities and split into two groups. Very quickly it became apparent that bringing two large trash bags per person had not been too much – the first bags filled very quickly with mostly plastic bottles and other trash. One group ventured out to the left and not only discovered a hidden marina, but a discarded jet-ski, a large inflatable slide, a plastic drum, and many more articles that should not be out on a beach. As always, it was the youngest participants who were the most energetic and enthusiastic, hugely contributing and never tiring (more than can be said of the adults!). Towards the end the children enjoyed playing on the inflatable obstacle course, floating in shallow water off the beach, and brought there thanks to Peter.

After rounding everyone up we loaded the trash bags and large articles onto the boats. We had to return with a small crew only in the first run, as there was too much trash and the boats were absolutely packed. Only after we had unloaded all trash bags could the boats go back and fetch the participants. All stayed for barbeque expertly prepared by Eric Chau, Service Manager – Shelter Cove (F&B), which was a great opportunity to get to know each other further and share a beer or wine while watching the beautiful sunset.

We are already planning the clean-ups for next year, so if you are interested, please do get in touch with Lorraine Lo (loraine.lo@rhkyc.org.hk) who will add you to the mailing list for future cleanups.