>Press Releases Home > Publications and press releases > Press Releases Marine Department coordinates search and rescue drill Five government departments and three shipping companies today (October 17) took part in a marine search and rescue exercise coordinated by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) of the Marine Department at waters to the south of Lamma Power Station. "As there are many high-speed ferries going in and out of Hong Kong every day, there is a need to ensure quick response actions are being taken in case of emergency on these vessels," a Marine Department spokesman said. "The exercise, code name 'SAREX TWO THOUSAND', aims at testing the efficiency of communication between MRCC and high-speed ferries during emergencies, the emergency procedures on board the vessels, as well as the search and rescue contingency plan in the MRCC," he said. A mock scenario where two high-speed ferries, Ferry X and Ferry Y, collided was staged. After the collision, there were injured passengers on both ferries. The hull of Ferry X was seriously damaged and some passengers were evacuated to an inflatable life raft. A passenger on Ferry Y suffered serious injury while a Ferry X passenger fell overboard. The MRCC immediately mounted a search and rescue operation after receiving reports from ferries X and Y. During the operation, the seriously injured passenger was airlifted to hospital while the one in water was picked up by Marine Police launch and then airlifted to hospital as well. A third high-speed ferry, Ferry Z, passed by and helped to convey the passengers of ferries X and Y back to Hong Kong. Five Government launches, one helicopter and over 100 staff from the Marine Department, Marine Police, Fire Services Department, Government Flying Service and Civil Aid Service have participated in the exercise today. Meanwhile, Shun Tak-China Travel Shipping Investments Limited, Chu Kong Passenger Transport Company Limited and New World First Ferry Services Limited have each deployed a high-speed ferry to take part in the drill. Tuesday, October 17, 2000
		2009 | Important notices | Privacy Policy Last revision date : 11 November 2011