"The opening and closing ceremonies are under the strictest level, which means no fishing boats, yachts or cruises are allowed. Only special Expo boats and marine police have the privilege of traveling by water during those periods," he said.
The city's maritime affairs bureau strengthened its administration during the six-month event by establishing the new Expo office before the world fair drew its curtain on May 1.
Seven patrol craft and 108 officers share duties 24 hours a day, seven days a week to guarantee safety.
Thanks to their hard work, no boat-related accidents have happened since the opening of the Expo. However, marine police have encountered 18 dangerous cases such as drunken operation of a vessel and the potential for boats to run aground.
In the case involving alcohol, the captain had been drinking and came to the attention of marine police when he was slow to dodge other boats.
"All ships on the Expo waterway have to follow the speed limit," said Tang. "They can't sail too fast, or they might cause accidents. They can't sail too slow either, or there would be traffic jams."
