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CAD search and rescue exercise strengthens collaboration and responsiveness (with photos)
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     The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) successfully completed a joint short-range Aeronautical Search and Rescue exercise today (January 12) in the waters near Mong Tung Wan on the Chi Ma Wan Peninsula, Lantau Island.

     The exercise involved eight government departments and one search and rescue unit, namely CAD, the Government Flying Service (GFS), the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF), the Fire Services Department (FSD), the Marine Department (MD), the Civil Aid Service, the Auxiliary Medical Service and the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO), and the Hong Kong Garrison of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (Garrison) respectively.

     Today's exercise simulated a helicopter crashing into the sea near Mong Tung Wan on Lantau Island. With the concerted efforts of helicopters and vessels dispatched by the Garrison, the GFS, the HKPF, and the FSD, all three people on board were rescued. The exercise lasted one hour, mobilising around 100 personnel from the participating units.

     A spokesperson for the Civil Aviation Department said, "In accordance with the recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organization, CAD regularly organises Aeronautical Search and Rescue exercises to strengthen co-operation and co-ordination among relevant search and rescue units and promote technical exchanges. This is to ensure a rapid and effective response in the event of an emergency."

     This Aeronautical Search and Rescue exercise is divided into two parts: a short-range search and rescue exercise conducted today in the waters near Mong Tung Wan on Lantau Island; and a long-range search and rescue exercise to be conducted tomorrow (January 13) in the South China Sea, approximately 50 nautical miles south of Hong Kong. CAD, together with the GFS, the MD, the Garrison, the Nanhai Rescue Bureau of the Ministry of Transport of the People's Republic of China, and the Guangdong Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, will jointly deploy fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and ships to conduct the search and rescue tasks. The entire long-range exercise is expected to be completed in around three hours.
 
Ends/Monday, January 12, 2026
Issued at HKT 19:00
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The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) held a joint short-range Aeronautical Search and Rescue exercise (SAREX) today (January 12) in the waters near Mong Tung Wan on the Chi Ma Wan Peninsula, Lantau Island. The exercise involved eight government departments and one search and rescue unit, namely CAD, the Government Flying Service, the Hong Kong Police Force, the Fire Services Department (FSD), the Marine Department, the Civil Aid Service, the Auxiliary Medical Service and the Hong Kong Observatory, and the Hong Kong Garrison of the Chinese People's Liberation Army respectively. Photo shows a fireboat of the FSD participating in SAREX.
The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) held a joint short-range Aeronautical Search and Rescue exercise today (January 12) in the waters near Mong Tung Wan on the Chi Ma Wan Peninsula, Lantau Island. The exercise involved eight government departments and one search and rescue unit, namely CAD, the Government Flying Service (GFS), the Hong Kong Police Force, the Fire Services Department, the Marine Department, the Civil Aid Service, the Auxiliary Medical Service and the Hong Kong Observatory, and the Hong Kong Garrison of the Chinese People's Liberation Army respectively. Photo shows a simulation of GFS officers rescuing a survivor with a helicopter.
The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) held a joint short-range Aeronautical Search and Rescue exercise today (January 12) in the waters near Mong Tung Wan on the Chi Ma Wan Peninsula, Lantau Island. The exercise involved eight government departments and one search and rescue unit, namely CAD, the Government Flying Service, the Hong Kong Police Force, the Fire Services Department (FSD), the Marine Department, the Civil Aid Service, the Auxiliary Medical Service and the Hong Kong Observatory, and the Hong Kong Garrison of the Chinese People's Liberation Army respectively. Photo shows the FSD carrying out a maritime search with a drone.
The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) held a joint short-range Aeronautical Search and Rescue exercise (SAREX) today (January 12) in the waters near Mong Tung Wan on the Chi Ma Wan Peninsula, Lantau Island. The exercise involved eight government departments and one search and rescue unit, namely CAD, the Government Flying Service, the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF), the Fire Services Department, the Marine Department, the Civil Aid Service, the Auxiliary Medical Service and the Hong Kong Observatory, and the Hong Kong Garrison of the Chinese People's Liberation Army respectively. Photo shows a personal watercraft deployed by the HKPF participating in SAREX.
The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) held a joint short-range Aeronautical Search and Rescue exercise today (January 12) in the waters near Mong Tung Wan on the Chi Ma Wan Peninsula, Lantau Island. The exercise involved eight government departments and one search and rescue unit, namely CAD, the Government Flying Service (GFS), the Hong Kong Police Force, the Fire Services Department (FSD), the Marine Department, the Civil Aid Service, the Auxiliary Medical Service and the Hong Kong Observatory, and the Hong Kong Garrison of the Chinese People's Liberation Army respectively. Photo shows a simulation of a survivor being airlifted by a GFS helicopter upon being rescued by FSD officers.