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The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) successfully conducted its Search and Rescue Exercise today (December 7) in Shelter Port, Sai Kung.
Eight search and rescue units participated in the exercise. They included the CAD, Government Flying Service (GFS), Marine Police, Marine Department, Fire Services Department (FSD), Civil Aid Service, Auxiliary Medical Service and the People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison (the Garrison).
"The exercise is held regularly to strengthen co-operation and co-ordination in search and rescue operations between the CAD and other search and rescue units, so as to ensure quick and effective response in an emergency. It also provides air traffic controllers, aircrew and other related units likely to be involved in such operations with continued training to refresh their search and rescue techniques," a spokesman for the Department said.
Today's exercise simulated a situation where a helicopter with three persons on board en-route to Port Shelter area reports its engine on fire and plans to ditch. The CAD immediately co-ordinated the relevant units to carry out the search and rescue operation. The GFS, FSD, Marine Police and the Garrison deployed their helicopters and vessels to assist in the rescue. Through the collaboration of all parties, the exercise was successfully completed within about 45 minutes.
More than 80 staff members from the participating units were mobilised in the exercise. The CAD also invited search and rescue experts from Mainland and Macao to observe the event.
"Under Annex 12 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, a contracting region is obliged to provide search and rescue services within its designated search and rescue region. The CAD organises search and rescue exercises regularly to enhance the Department's capabilities of such operations," the spokesman said.
Ends/Friday, December 7, 2012
Issued at HKT 15:25
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