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PLANS FOR THE PROCESSING AND ACCOMMODATION OF THOSE ON BOARD THE SHIP
27.
The plan to deal with a major influx of refugees from Vietnam which had been circulated on 14th December (Operation Oliver) laid down that accommodation at either Jubilee Buildings, Sham Shui Po or Gray Block, Kai Tak would be provided if a decision to allow refugees ashore was taken. Responsibility for the preparation of accommodation was given to the Civil Aid Services.
28.
On 22nd December it was decided that Gray Block, former RAF barrack accommodation, and a number of ancilliary buildings should be earmarked for refugees from the "Huey Fong". Arrangements had to be made covertly but by 31st December all the initial preparation of Gray Block and buildings 214 and 215 had been completed, and thereafter they were ready for occupation at 6 hours notice, although at that stage security was provided by only a rudimentary barbed wire fence. The capacity of Gray Block and buildings 214 and 215 was estimated to be about 2,700. Accommodation for a further 1500/ 2000 persons was then prepared in buildings 5, 6 and
7 at Kai Tak. Erection of a chain link fence surrounding the whole of the camp began surreptitiously on 9th January and was completed by the time the first refugees arrived on 20th January.
29.
Contingency planning for handling the "Huey Fong" if it entered Hong Kong waters was put in train on 3rd January. The plan, which was issued on 8th January, provided for the ship to be escorted into Hong Kong waters by Police launches and directed to an anchorage west of Lamma Island, or alternatively north of Kau Yi Chau. An area with a radius of 400 yards from the ship would be designated as a prohibited zone under the Public Order Ordinance. Police would then secure the vessel. The refugees would be transferred to vessels moored alongside the "Huey Fong" for processing by Port Health, Customs and Excise and Immigration Department officials. They would then either be transferred ashore in batches for removal to Kai Tak or put back on board the ship after it had been searched by Customs and Excise and the Police. It was estimated that the full procedure would take four or five days. Subsidiary plans were drawn up to handle the ship and the refugees in the event of fire, disorder or an epidemic on board, or very bad weather or a threat to scuttle the ship.
30.
At this stage of planning it was considered that there were six possible courses of action in respect of the refugees once they had entered Hong Kong, namely: -
(a)
Continue to detain them on board ship;
(b) detain them ashore:
CONFIDENTIAL
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