**************************************************
An annual oil spill response joint exercise, this year code-named Oilex 2012, was held this morning (October 25) off Ha Mei Wan, Lamma Island, to test responses in combating oil pollution in Hong Kong waters.
Under the Maritime Oil Spill Response Plan, the Marine Department co-ordinated the exercise in which other government departments including the Civil Aid Service, the Auxiliary Medical Service, the Hong Kong Police Force and the Government Flying Service (GFS), as well as oil companies, also participated.
During the exercise, response groups contained the mock oil spill situation of an oil tanker anchored near Ha Mei Wan leaking oil from its cargo tank of 5,000 tonnes of fuel oil. Such a spill would pose threats to the nearby environment and facilities, including the cooling water intakes of the power station, bathing beaches and the nesting site of green turtles on the south of the island at Sham Wan.
In the wake of the "spillage", oil combat teams set up a ring of floating barrier booms around the tanker while salvage teams transferred the fuel and patched up the leakage. A second defence line of barrier booms was also rigged up to prevent the spill from spreading. The exercise demonstrated the spraying of oil dispersant from pollution control vessels and a GFS helicopter onto the sea, as well as the recovery of booms and equipment.
Apart from today's on-scene exercise, a simulation on crisis management and communication was tested last week by government departments concerned to refresh common understanding of the command and communication system when handling a major oil spill. In addition to the government departments and oil companies mentioned above, other government departments including the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and the Fire Services Department also participated in the test.
The Marine Department's Maritime Oil Spill Response Plan aims to ensure an effective and timely response to oil spills in Hong Kong waters.
Ends/Thursday, October 25, 2012
Issued at HKT 15:59
NNNN
