TRANSPORT
Maritime Search and Rescue
The search and rescue responsibility for maritime distress situations occurring within Hong Kong waters and the major part of the South China Sea covering a sea area of about 450 000 square nautical miles, as agreed internationally, rests with the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) of the Marine Department.
The MRCC is manned 24 hours a day by professional staff and is equipped with comprehensive communication equipment and a shore-based Global Maritime. Distress and Safety System. It coordinates search and rescue operations in conjunction with other government departments and international ships on the high seas. Staff members of the MRCC regularly hold maritime safety seminars for fishermen's associations and yacht clubs and for the shipping communities in both Hong Kong and Guangdong Province.
In 2003, the centre handled 220 cases of vessel emergencies, 72 of which developed into search and rescue operations, including 21 medical evacuations. A total of 113 persons were rescued. During the year, the centre also presented safety seminars for the public.
In recognition of its expertise, the Hong Kong MRCC has been selected as a member of the IMO/International Civil Aviation Organisation Joint Working Group for Search and Rescue.
Government Fleet and Dockyard
Government Fleet
There are over 670 vessels of different types and sizes in the government fleet. About 135 vessels are major mechanised vessels serving 16 government departments including the Hong Kong Police Force (Marine Police region), Customs and Excise and Fire Services. These are mainly purpose-built vessels operated and manned by the user departments or the Marine Department. The department itself controls some 65 vessels which comprise mainly patrol launches, conveyance launches, pontoons and some specialised vessels such as hydrographic survey launches and explosives carriers. The department's launches, apart from meeting traffic needs for its own port operations, also serve other government departments that do not have their own. fleets. Vessels will be modified and deployed quickly from the fleet to suit the needs of large or important events.
Since 1999, the department has been outsourcing the provision of marine transport services, such as conveyance launches and tug boats, to private contractors. A trial outsourcing in 2002 of two harbour patrol vessels on day-time operations proved successful, and more harbour patrol vessels will be outsourced in 2004.
Government Dockyard
The Government Dockyard at Stonecutters Island occupies a land site of 9.8 hectares in addition to a protected water basin of 8.3 hectares. It serves as one of the operational bases for the Marine Department, the Police Force and the Customs and Excise Department.
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