THE ARMED SERVICES
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operations in the South China Sea and works closely with the Director of Marine and the Director of Civil Aviation. The naval base of HMS Tamar maintains the Royal Naval and Army craft based in the territory and provides Hong Kong's only recompression chamber for use in diving emergencies. A small clearance diving team assists the police in the recovery of drugs and smuggled goods and is trained in the techniques of searching for and neutralising underwater explosives. The Captain-in-Charge also administers the naval staff in Singapore, where the Royal Navy maintains berths and an oil fuel depot.
The Hong Kong Squadron now consists of three 'Peacock' Class Patrol Craft: HM Ships Plover, Peacock and Starling; this follows the withdrawal in July of the other two ships of the Squadron, HM Ships Swallow and Swift. The 'Peacock' Class, built by Hall Russell Limited, Aberdeen, Scotland have been specially designed for patrol duties in Hong Kong waters, including search and rescue in the China Sea, and have the ability to stay at sea during typhoons. They are constructed of steel and aluminium and are 63 metres long, 10 metres wide and have a gross tonnage of 763 tonnes. All the ships are armed with a single 76 mm Oto Melara gun and its associated British Aerospace fire control system. Up to four general purpose machine guns can be positioned about the upper works. High definition radar and direction finding equipment are fitted to give accurate navigation through confined Hong Kong waters. Satellite navigation and long range radio aids give the ships distant sea capability. A comprehensive communications fit enables the ships not only to talk to boarding parties and shore authorities but also to send messages to any part of the world. Boarding tasks are usually achieved by using a rigid inflatable Avon Searider or a Fast Pursuit Craft. Following the disbandment of the Royal Marine Raiding Squadron, these small high-speed craft are crewed by Royal Marines who are on the complement of each of the three remaining patrol craft.
During the last year ships of the Squadron, while on ocean navigation training, have visited Brunei, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines, and taken the oppor- tunity to exercise with foreign navies. Ships of the Australian, French and United States navies have in their turn visited Hong Kong. August 1988 saw the visit of a Royal Naval Task Group headed by Admiral Woodhead flying his flag in HMS Ark Royal during the Far Eastern phase of their deployment from United Kingdom for the Australian Bi-Centennial Celebrations.
Under the direction of the Captain-in-Charge, a team co-ordinates a scheme of control for the protection of commercial shipping using the port of Hong Kong in times of tension or war. Personnel include officers of the Royal Naval Reserve, United States Naval Reserve and the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve who are resident in Hong Kong and can be ready at short notice. The team enjoys a close liaison with the Marine Department and shipping companies and uses an advanced computer system. Naval control of shipping is exercised in a major international worldwide exercise once a year.
The strength of the Royal Navy is about 600, supported by about 65 locally employed civilians. The patrol craft are jointly manned by Hong Kong Chinese ratings and United Kingdom naval personnel. Altogether about 340 locally entered personnel are employed ashore and afloat in the seaman, engineering, supply and medical branches. Manning laundries on ships of the Royal Navy is another task traditionally undertaken by Hong Kong men.
The Royal Navy plays an active part in the community, and during the year personnel provided sea training for the Sea Cadet Corps and the Hong Kong Sea School, and provided facilities for many other organisations and charities. A successful bid for an abseiling world record was made on July 24 by members of the Royal Marine Raiding