>Press Releases Home > Publications and press releases > Press Releases Search-and-Rescue and Oil Pollution Control Exercise Following is a story in Issue No.2 of Hong Kong Maritime News published by the Marine Department in September 2000: Search-and-Rescue and Oil Pollution Control Exercise Hong Kong despatched six vessels and more than 50 emergency staff to help tackle one of the worst oil spills to hit the Pearl River Estuary. Fortunately, the incident was no more than an exercise but the experience proved the effectiveness of the Marine Department in dealing with a crisis situation. The exercise was aptly held on World Environment Day and took place immediately west of Neilingding Dao about seven nautical miles outside Hong Kong waters. Organised by the Maritime Safety Administration, the drill included emergency crew from the port authorities of Guangdong, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Macau as well as Hong Kong. The crisis scenario involved a major spill of more than 500 tonnes of heavy fuel oil, which threatened the waters governed by all the participating authorities. The drill proved to be a success with excellent co-operation and teamwork displayed by all those involved. Wednesday, 20 September 2000
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