(Hong Kong – 7 October 2011) After discussions with the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) and the Tourism Commission, Ocean Park announces today the guidelines regarding the notification protocols for mechanical ride-related incidents to enhance transparency to the public in the future.
The guidelines apply to the following situations:
· The death of a person or an injury requiring hospitalization or treatment by medical professionals due to a mechanical or operational failure of a ride
- A mechanical or operational failure of a ride, which may affect its safe operation
- Any rescue operation which requires the assistance of a third party
- Any fire, ground settlement or landslide affecting the safe operation of a ride
- Any stoppages which detain guests on the ride for over 20 minutes
In addition to issuing a press release within 24 hours of the incident, a notice will be posted on the corporate website immediately. Guests will also be informed through notice posted at the Park’s main entrance, the involved attraction, the Admiralty bus station, and on all in-park tip boards immediately after the closure of the attraction.
Allan Zeman, Chairman of Ocean Park said, “In response to the recent incidents, we have taken time to review the desired transparent communication process and have adopted the above new guidelines which far exceed what is required by the Hong Kong regulations. In addition, we shall post a notice on the corporate website immediately for any closure of a ride expected to be over an hour. Guests will also be informed through notices posted at the Park’s main entrance, the involved attraction, the Admiralty bus station, and on all in-park tip boards immediately after the closure of the attraction. We will continue to review our announcement protocols from time to time to ensure that any ride-related issues that are of interest to the public and the media will be reported in a timely and transparent manner. The safety of our guests has always been the number one priority of Ocean Park, and we will continue to do everything in our capabilities to ensure that a safe and enjoyable experience is provided to all of our guests.”