from Marine Department. The Harbour sub-division working a beat system and with two general patrol craft maintains eight craft on patrol in the harbour at any one time. Outside the harbour the waters are divided into sectors. Operating in units roughly equivalent to sub- divisions, these sectors maintained a daily average of 12 sea-going launches.
Illegal Immigration
169. The prevention of illegal immigration remains one of the most important tasks of Marine District. During the year 47,542 craft were searched and as a result 1,251 illegal immigrants were arrested, and 44 persons convicted for aiding and abetting their entry. 55 craft and three motor vehicles, which had been used to convey illegal immigrants within the boundaries of the Colony, were seized.
170. In the past year full scale in-service training was resumed. A total of 348 men of all ranks were trained in subjects including seaman- ship, engineering, wireless telegraphy operation and navigation.
171. In April, 1968, the Panamanian vessel 'Wing Lien' collided with a towing barge. The officer commanding a police launch in the vicinity risked the safety of his own launch to rescue the entire 26 man crew of the 'Wing Lien' minutes before the vessel sank.
172. Between June and September the Marine Police recovered 60 badly decomposed bodies from the western sea lanes of the Colony. 46 of these bodies had been bound hand and foot, and two had suffered gunshot wounds. The bodies originated from outside Colony waters.
EMERGENCY UNITS
173. In Hong Kong Island and New Territories Districts and in Kowloon East and West, there are Emergency Units manned by Uniformed Branch personnel. These units operate on a 24-hour basis, manning patrol cars which are in radio contact with their District Control Rooms. The patrol cars are directed to give assistance at the scene of incidents reported by the public or to deal with incidents encountered on patrol and are also available to assist police officers on beat duties. The units also provide prisoner and cash escorts and constitute a reserve which can be called upon at any time to deal with unexpected disasters or disorders.
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