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The Marine Department and several government departments conducted a Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise with the cruise ship Star Pisces in waters off Tseung Kwan O today (October 9).
The exercise simulated a fire breaking out in the engine room while the ship was at anchor, leading to abandoning ship. After the fire alarm on board went off, fireboats and Marine Police launches arrived quickly. Fire officers went on board to extinguish the fire, and police officers co-ordinated at the scene. A crew member was found severely burnt in the engine room, and he had to be transferred by Government Flying Service helicopter to hospital for treatment.
In view of the fierce fire, the captain ordered his crew to abandon ship. Crew members lowered lifeboats to the water. One hundred crew members were evacuated from the ship by a fireboat and two Marine Police launches, and they were taken to Chai Wan Public Cargo Working Area. The medical teams on board the fireboat and the two launches preliminarily examined the crew members, and when they arrived at the Public Cargo Working Area, ambulances and medical officers were waiting on the spot.
Senior Marine Officer of the Marine Department Mr Chan Kwok-wai, who co-ordinated the exercise, said the exercise not only provided an opportunity for crew members to work with various government departments in a mock emergency scenario, but also testified to the contingency plans and response efficacy of participating units.
Star Pisces has a gross tonnage of 40 053, and it can carry 1 009 passengers and nearly 1 000 crew members.
The Hong Kong Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) of the Marine Department organises search and rescue exercises every year. It also organises joint exercises with search and rescue centres in neighbouring regions. In August this year, the Hong Kong MRCC held a table-top exercise with the Hainan Maritime Search and Rescue Centre. A joint exercise was held with Zhuhai and Macau last year.
Ends/Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Issued at HKT 17:15
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