XN000022-1974-06-11 — Page 4

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TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1974

WHEN A STORM BEGINS TO AFFECT HONG KONG AND FISHERMEN AND OTHER BOAT PEOPLE ARE RETURNING TO BASE, THE DEPARTMENT'S PATROL LAUNCHES INSPECT ALL THE TYPHOONS SHELTERS AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE FULLY USED WITHOUT BLOCKING FIRE LANES AND FAIRWAYS.

THE HARBOUR IS PATROLLED BY A FAST LAUNCH TO OFFER ASSISTANCE AND ADVICE, MAINLY TO OCEAN-GOING VESSLES, UNTIL THE WEATHER CONDITIONS FORCE THE LAUNCH ITSELF TO GO INTO SHELTER.

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ALL LAUNCHES ARE IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE COMMUNICATIONS

THE CENTRE AND WITH EACH OTHER BY MEANS OF VHF RADIO. COMMUNICATIONS CENTRE COLLECTS ALL THE INFORMATION AND DIRECTS THE ALLOCATION OF TYPHOON MOORINGS AND THE MOVEMENT OF VESSELS DURING THE STORM.

INFORMATION AND REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE TO CASUALTIES IS ALSO DEALT WITH BY THE CENTRE.

A CRANE BARGE UNDER CONTRACT IS AVAILABLE TO RELOCATE, REMOVE OR REPAIR DAMAGED NAVIGATIONAL AIDS OR GOVERNMENT MOORINGS AND CAN BE EMPLOYED TO REMOVE MINOR WRECKS OF VESSELS CAUSING OBSTRUCTION.

A CHAIN OF MARINE DEPARTMENT SIGNAL STATIONS ARE LINKED BY A TELEPRINTER CIRCUIT AND THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY AND CABLE AND WIRELESS WHICH RELAYS MESSAGES, IS ALSO CONNECTED TO THE CENTRE.

LIKE OTHER DEPARTMENTS, THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES GOES ON FULLSCALE ALERT AT THE APPROACH OF A STORM TO KEEP THE PUBLIC FULLY AWARE OF THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS SO THAT ADVANCE PRECAUTIONS CAN BE TAKEN.

INFORMATION OFFICERS ARE DEPLOYED TO VITAL DEPARTMENTS TO FEED BACK INFORMATION TO THE CENTRAL CONTROL AT BEACONSFIELD HOUSE FROM WHERE SITUATION REPORTS ARE ISSUED TO THE MEDIA AS SOON AS THEY COME IN.

THEY ARE COMPLEMENTED BY MOBILE TEAMS WHICH SUPPLY ON-THE- SPOT ACCOUNTS TO THE CENTRAL CONTROL.

ALL OTHER DEPARTMENTS, THE ARMED SERVICES, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANIES SUCH AS THE FERRY AND BUS COMPANIES, ALSO LIAISE WITH GIS TO KEEP THE PUBLIC INFORMED OF THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS AND CO-ORDINATE RESCUE AND RELIEF WORK.

OTHER KEY DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH, SOCIAL WELFARE, AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES AND THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, CONTRIBUTE NO LESS TO THE WORK.

OTHER SERVICES OPERATING IN TYPHOON EMERGENCIES INCLUDE THE · CIVIL AID SERVICES, ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE, ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT AND VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS THE HONG KONG RED CROSS AND THE ST. JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE.

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