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CONFIDENTIAL
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Particulars of Act of Gallantry
At 2205 hrs on 27.12.91, a report was received at Tai O Police Station that a Chinese vessel carrying six people had hit a low lying rock, just over a mile west of the south west coastline of Lantau Island, called Wong Fa Pai. The Chinese vessel had broken up and sunk. Police launches 1 and 65 from Marine West Division, 60 and 73 from Marine South Division, and a Tempest rigid inflatable from Tai O Police Station were informed and a fire boat was despatched. The Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Airforce (RHKAAF) was informed but, due to the weather conditions and restricted visibility, did not take off. Because of the adverse weather conditions, the Tempest from Tai 0, was forced to turn back shortly after its launch.
At the time of the incident, the weather conditions were extremely poor with a cold front moving in from China. The temperature that day had fallen rapidly and a minimum of -3°C was recorded overnight
on Tai Mo Shan. To add to the generally cold weather there were periods of cold, driving rain. The Royal Observatory at 2106 hrs listed the area as being a gale warning area. Winds were from the north, force 7-8, i.e. gale force winds with a mean velocity of 34-40 knots. It is pertinent to note at this juncture that the advice given in the Admiralty Manual of Seamanship for such conditions is that "All smacks (large fishing vessels) make for harbour, if near."
The Beaufort wind scale quotes probable wave height for winds of force 7-8 as being 4 to 5.5 metres offshore. Conditions at the scene of the incident could therefore be said to be extremely adverse with high winds, poor visibility, cold, driving rain with violent waves and a wind chill factor further reducing temperatures and in particular for any person whose clothing was wet.
Wong Fa Pai is a small, isolated rock, that is a mere 0.6 metres above high water. It is totally exposed to northerly winds and, given the weather conditions at the time of the rescue, would have been awash with breaking waves.
At about 2305 hrs, Police Launches 60 and 65 arrived in the area of Wong Fa Pai Rock and saw flashing torch lights originating from the rock. Because of the extreme conditions, police launch 65 was unable to do anything, whilst Police Launch 60 suffered engine problems and had to turn back. Shortly afterwards, Police Launch 73 arrived at the scene and spotted the same flashing lights originating from Wong Fa Pai. The officer in command of Police Launch 73, Station Sergeant (S/Sgt) LAU Yung-kan quickly assessed the situation and realised that, with the weather conditions deteriorate, something would have to be done.
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CONFIDENTIAL
機密