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Members of the public are invited to join a two-day fun day event at the Fireboat Alexander Grantham Exhibition Gallery in Quarry Bay Park this Saturday and Sunday (April 12 and 13).
On both days the fireboat's wheelhouse, crew cabin and engineer room will be specially open for the public to visit. Former firefighters will also attend to share their experience of working on the fireboat. On the second day of the event, there will be a band performance themed on fire services by firefighters.
Visitors will also be able to enjoy an interactive drama programme featuring the history of sea rescue in Hong Kong, written and performed by Theatre Noir. Additionally, a group of children who have been hospitalised will perform an art jam organised by "Art in Hospital". Other highlights include game booths, a remote controlled mini-fire engine parade and bagpipe and marching band performances. Children will also have the chance to wear firefighters' uniforms and take photos.
The Fireboat Alexander Grantham was built by the Hong Kong & Whampoa Dock Company Limited in 1951. With a hull almost 40 metres in length, the fireboat had a displacement of 503 tonnes and a speed of 12.5 knots. As well as being the first boat preserved as an historical relic in Hong Kong, it is also the largest made in Hong Kong collection item of the Hong Kong Museum of History.
The fireboat went into service in 1953. Before being decommissioned in 2002, it served as the flagship of the Hong Kong Fire Services Department's fireboat team, responding to fire alarms and conducting rescue operations, both in Hong Kong waters and along the nearby coastline.
The fun day event is jointly organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Fire Services Department. With a wide array of interesting programmes, the event aims to inform the public about the fireboat and raise their awareness of fire safety.
The fun day event will be open from 10.30am to 6pm. Programmes will be conducted in Cantonese. Enquiries can be made on 3580 6770, or visit the Hong Kong Museum of History's website: hk.history.museum/en_US/web/mh/whats-on/exhibition.html, or call 3580 6770.
Ends/Thursday, April 10, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:49
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