278 ❘ Transport
The centre is manned round-the-clock by professional staff and equipped with modern communications equipment, which complements the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System.
In 2011, the MRCC handled 207 marine-related emergencies, 37 of which involved search and rescue operations. A total of 83 people were rescued.
In recognition of its expertise, the MRCC was chosen by the International Maritime Organisation to be one of the eight maritime members in the International Civil Aviation Organisation/International Maritime Organisation Joint Working Group on Harmonisation of Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue.
Government Fleet and Dockyard
Government Fleet
The government fleet, with over 780 vessels of different types and sizes, including 110 major mechanised vessels and large-type high-speed craft, serves 14 government departments including the Hong Kong Police Force, the Customs and Excise Department and the Fire Services Department. Some of the user departments manage their specially-built vessels. The Government Fleet Division of the Marine Department controls and manages 75 vessels, of which 43 are provided with manning by the department. These include patrol launches, purposely built conveyance launches, pontoons and some specialised vessels, such as hydrographic survey launches and explosives carriers. These vessels either support the department's own port operations or serve other departments that do not have their own fleets.
Since 1999, the department has been awarding contracts to private operators to provide conveyance launches, tugboats and various marine transport services for the department. It had 26 vessels under contract in 2011.
Government Dockyard
The Government Dockyard, managed by the Government Fleet Division, is responsible for the design, procurement and maintenance of all government vessels. It occupies a site of 9.8 hectares on Stonecutters Island and has a sheltered water basin of 8.3 hectares as one of the operational bases of the Marine Department. For repair and maintenance of vessels, the dockyard has four movable canopies, 12 covered docking and repair sheds and over 22 open-yard docking cradle spaces, supported by a ship-lift system and three ship-hoists capable of dry docking vessels of up to 750 tonnes.
In 2011, 17 new small craft, costing $4.9 million, were built for the Government and 12 new small craft building contracts, worth $4.5 million, were awarded to shipbuilders in Hong Kong and overseas. The total expenditure in maintaining the Government Dockyard systems and Government fleet is close to $393 million.