TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 1986
HONG KONG'S SEARCH AND RESCUE SYSTEM
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THE GOVERNMENT IS TO INTRODUCE A SERIES OF MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE TERRITORY'S SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS.
IN ANNOUNCING THE SCHEME AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (TUESDAY), THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR SECURITY (OPERATIONS), MR KEN WOODHOUSE, SAID THE MEASURES INCLUDE REFINED DESIGNATION OF RESPONSIBILITIES BETWEEN THE CIVIL AVIATION AND MARINE DEPARTMENTS AND MORE COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAMMES.
THE PROPOSALS WERE DEVISED BY A GOVERNMENT WORKING GROUP SET UP TO CONSIDER THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORTS OF THE MARINE COURT OF INQUIRY INTO THE SINKING OF THE BARQUENTINE OSPREY.
THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE WORKING GROUP WERE TO REVIEW EXISTING OFF-SHORE SEARCH AND RESCUE PROCEDURES AND, WHERE NECESSARY, MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHANGES.
THE GROUP CONSIDERED A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES INCLUDING:
* THE NEED FOR AN INDEPENDENT SEARCH AND RESCUE CENTRE WITH
A PERMANENT DIRECTOR AND STAFF;
*
THE NEED FOR REGULAR LIAISON BETWEEN ALL THE HONG KONG AGENCIES INVOLVED IN SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS*
*
*
*
THE NEED FOR AN ANNUAL MARITIME SEARCH AND RESCUE EXERCISE;
THE NEED FOR A FULL FORMAL DEBRIEFING AFTER EACH SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATION;
THE NEED FOR FORMAL TRAINING OF ALL PERSONS INVOLVED IN SEARCH AND RESCUE WORK;
* THE POSSIBILITY OF MAKING GREATER USE OF THE LOCAL FISHING
FLEET IN SEARCH AND RESCUE EMERGENCIES;
*
THE NEED FOR A MEANS OF PROVIDING A NIGHT SEARCH AND RESCUE CAPABILITY;
*
THE NEED TO IMPROVE PROCEDURES FOR SEARCHES IN CHINESE CLAIMED WATERS; AND
*
THE NEED TO IMPROVE RECEPTION OF EMERGENCY POSITION INDICATING RADIO BEACONS.
THE GROUP MADE RECOMMENDATIONS ON EACH OF THESE ISSUES WHICH HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
/HOWEVER, THE