>Press Releases Home > Publications and press releases > Press Releases MRCC successfully conducts maritime search and rescue exercise The Marine Department's Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) and four other Government departments - Government Flying Service, Marine Police, Fire Services Department and Civil Aid Service –successfully completed a maritime search and rescue exercise this morning (April 27) in the waters west of Ha Mei Wan, Lamma Island. The exercise, code-named "SAREX 2005", established a mock scenario in which two high-speed ferries were reported to have collided in the west of Fan Lau, Lantau Island (simulated as in the west of Ha Mei Wan of Lamma Island). Many passengers and crew on both vessels were reported to have sustained injuries and required immediate medical assistance and evacuation. At the same time, two passengers were reported missing after being thrown overboard. Acting Senior Marine Officer (Search and Rescue), Mr Hung Shun-leung who was in charge of the MRCC said “SAREX 2005” aimed to test the efficiency of the alert and response systems between high-speed ferries and the MRCC, the contingency plan on board ferries and their safety procedures, and the responsiveness and communication systems of the various parties involved. "In view of the increasing popularity and public demands of the high-speed ferries, which carry thousands of people to and from Hong Kong daily, it is necessary to ensure that quick responses and appropriate action are in place quickly in times of emergencies," Mr Hung said. He said that today's exercise was to refresh and familiarise related parties with the existing crisis management tools in the event of a collision. He also thanked the New World First Ferry Services Ltd. for the assistance and technical support provided which was essential for a successful exercise. During the exercise, the MRCC mounted a search and rescue operation soon after a report on the collision of the ferries was received. Government launches and a helicopter were tasked to the scene. One of the highlights of today's exercise was the demonstration of the rescue by helicopter and other concerned search and rescue units of passengers from a ferry and the two passengers who had fallen into the sea. Other scenes staged included the airlift of a seriously injured passenger to hospital and transferring of passengers to safety by another vessel, which was posing as a passing ferry. The exercise was successfully launched and completed in about one and a half hours. One helicopter, two police launches, two fireboats, two Marine Department launches, two high-speed ferries and one passenger ferry were deployed during the exercise. More than 200 staff members from the participating bodies were involved. Equipped with the most advanced technologies to deal with any emergencies or distress situations round-the-clock, the MRCC is responsible for co-ordinating all available resources to perform search and rescue missions and providing tele-medical advice to ships in the international waters of the South China Sea North of Latitude 10 degree North and West of Longitude 120 degree East. Ends/Wednesday, April 27, 2005
		2009 | Important notices | Privacy Policy Last revision date : 11 November 2011