(with photos)
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The Civil Aviation Department successfully conducted a search and rescue exercise (SAREX) today (August 22) at Tung O Wan on Lamma Island.
Seven search and rescue (SAR) units participated in the exercise, which included the Civil Aviation Department, the Hong Kong Garrison of the People's Liberation Army Forces (PLA), Government Flying Service (GFS), Marine Department, Marine Police, Fire Services Department (FSD) and Civil Aid Service.
"The exercise is held annually to strengthen co-operation and co-ordination in search and rescue operations between the department and PLA, and other SAR units of the Hong Kong Government," a spokesman for the department said.
"It provides air traffic controllers, aircrew and other SAR units likely to be involved in such operations with continued training and familiarisation with search and rescue techniques."
Today's exercise scenario was a helicopter crash at Tung O Wan on Lamma Island. A fixed-wing aircraft and an Eurocopter Super Puma helicopter from GFS and a Marine Police launch were deployed to the scene soon after a report of the helicopter crash was received. At the same time, PLA deployed two naval ships and a Z9 helicopter to join the search and rescue operation. The forces and GFS conducted an aerial search and demonstrated the water winching of two survivors. The FSD sent a fireboat to fight the blaze and divers were also deployed for the rescue.
The exercise was successfully completed in about one hour. More than 50 staff members from the participating units were mobilised.
"Under Annex 12 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, a contracting state is obliged to provide search and rescue services within its designated search and rescue region. The Civil Aviation Department organises an annual search and rescue exercise to enhance the department's search and rescue capabilities," the spokesman said.
Ends/Monday, August 22, 2005
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