A recently launched cross-border yachting scheme intended to connect Hong Kong with mainland China is facing early criticism from participants regarding its practical viability. The program, designed to facilitate leisure travel for yacht owners, has been met with frustration by those attempting to navigate its current regulatory framework.

Retired harbour pilot Alex Yu Chi-leung, one of the first to utilize the scheme for a voyage from Causeway Bay to Dongao Island in Zhuhai, described the experience as dampened by significant obstacles. According to Yu, the primary issues involve an excessive number of bureaucratic procedures required to clear the border, which he characterized as overly complex for a leisure trip. Beyond the administrative burden, Yu noted that physical challenges, such as shallow waters, also complicate the routes available to sailors.

While the scheme was intended to foster greater maritime connectivity, Yu suggested that without significant simplification of the entry and exit requirements, the program may fail to attract consistent participation from the local yachting community. The current feedback highlights a disconnect between the policy's intent to promote tourism and the reality of the operational hurdles faced by private boat owners on the water.