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The Marine Department's Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) today (July 10) conducted a joint maritime search and rescue exercise, south of Lantau Island and west of Soko Islands.
The Hong Kong Garrison of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), Guangdong MRCC, Macau Marine Department, Marine Police, Fire Services Department, Government Flying Service, Civil Aviation Department, Civil Aids Services Department, and three ferry companies also took part in the exercise.
Senior Marine Officer (Search & Rescue) Mr Chan Kwok-wai, head of MRCC, said thousands of passengers travelled on high-speed ferries between Hong Kong, Macau and other ports in the Pearl River estuary. "Whenever an urgent incident happens on one of these ferries, all search and rescue units within the region will need to carry out a rescue operation efficiently, and evacuate hundreds of passengers and crew from scene," Mr Chan said.
"This year's exercise, code-named 'SAREX 2007', was conducted under the guidelines of the International Maritime Organisation. The annual drill is essential to ensure that quick responses and appropriate action are in place in an emergency."
"Although the Hong Kong Garrison of the PLA is not a designated search and rescue unit for Hong Kong, this is the second year they have joined the exercise. Their participation signifies the concerted effort in maritime search and rescue operation, and enhances exchange of search and rescue techniques between PLA and other search and rescue units in the region," Mr Chan said.
He also thanked Shun Tak-China Travel Ship Management Limited, New World First Ferry Services (Hong Kong) Limited, and Chu Kong Passenger Transport Company Limited for providing vessels for the exercise.
Today's exercise featured a mock scenario in which two high-speed ferries collided. Both ferries activated the emergencies response plan immediately and notified Hong Kong MRCC, which then alerted search and rescue units of the HKSAR Government for action. Hong Kong MRCC also sought assistance from Guangdong MRCC and the Macau Marine Department. Local garrison of the PLA happened to be in the vicinity during their routine training; they proactively offered assistance.
Marine launches, Police launches and fireboats all rushed to the scene. The injured were taken to hospital by helicopter and boat. The exercise was conducted smoothly and completed in about two hours.
The search and rescue responsibility for maritime distress situations occurring within Hong Kong waters and the major part of the South China Sea, covering a sea area of about 450,000 square nautical miles, as agreed internationally, rests with the MRCC.
The MRCC is manned 24 hours a day by professional staff and is equipped with comprehensive communication equipment and a shore-based Global Maritime Distress and Safety System. It co-ordinates search and rescue operations in conjunction with other government departments and ships on the high seas.
In 2006, the centre handled 53 search and rescue operations. A total of 236 people were rescued.
In the first half of 2007, it handled 32 search and rescue operations with 73 people being rescued.
Ends/Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:01
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