BRIEF No. HK7
The Secretary of State's Tour of the Far East
January/February 1973
Hong Kong Guardship
Background
The role of the Hong Kong Guardship is to provide the
Hong Kong Patrol Craft with added support and to act as a
deterrent to Chinese naval interference and local piracy.
The commitment is currently met by I ships on a rotational
basis, but with effect from April 1973 HMS CHICHESTER will
assume the role on a more permanent basis to provide
continuity and to save passage time for the limited number
of frigates on station East of the Cape.
The RN maintains 5 converted MCMV's (2 operational,
2 as reserve and 1 under refit) and intends to continue to
deploy a Frigate as guardship at Hong Kong. They are deployed
in a patrol role (ie not as minehunters/sweepers). The tasks
of the Naval forces are to support maritime police patrols,
assist in the control of the Hong Kong sea border in the
prevention of local piracy and smuggling, and deterrence of
external naval interference.
As CHICHESTER will be in a permanent guardship role,
she will have a reduced complement and limited capability.
CONFIDENTIAL
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