The Hong Kong Marine Department conducted a maritime search-and-rescue exercise on Wednesday with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Hong Kong Garrison and other government departments in the waters off Tseung Kwan O to boost co- operation and technology exchange.

The Government Flying Service, Marine Police, Fire Services Department and Civil Aid Service joined in the exercise, code- named "SAREX 2006", which was conducted under International Maritime Organization guidelines to test the efficiency of the alert and response systems between passenger ships and the department's Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Center (MRCC), the contingency plan on board ships and their safety procedures, and the involved parties' responsiveness and communication systems.

Senior Marine Officer for Search and Rescue Chan Kwok-wai, who is also the head of the center, said the annual drill is essential to ensure that all parties take quick and appropriate action in emergencies.

In the exercise, the players established a mock scenario in which a fire broke out on a passenger vessel off Tseung Kwan O, causing an explosion. On receiving the report, the MRCC began a search-and-rescue operation. The PLA, which happened to be in the vicinity for a drill, volunteered to help out.

Passengers fled the vessel in life boats and rafts, while rescue units fought fires, searched for passengers trapped in the blaze, rescued those who fell into the sea and airlifted the injured to hospital.

The exercise, completed in about two hours, went smoothly with more than 200 staff involved. Two helicopters, two Police launches, three fireboats, two Marine Department launches, six PLA boats and one passenger ship participated.

Last year, the MRCC handled 227 vessel emergencies. Sixty-two of them developed into search-and-rescue operations, including 13 medical evacuations. In all, 349 people were rescued.

Source: Xinhua