TNAG-2240-FCO40-3219-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Royal-Navy-presence-1991 — Page 22

3.

At 2140 hrs. PV 46 was on patrol in Deep Bay and

entered a channel in the Nim Wan reclamation at

position 22 24' 0 north, 113 15 1 east. They spotted a large speedboat alongside the rubble mole. PV 46 took cover and observed the speedboat leave the

channel and head west into Deep Bay at 2141 hrs. At

2147 hrs. 3 goods vehicles were seen parked ashore,

one switched on its headlights but after signals were

made by PV 46, they departed. 2 RHKP officers went

ashore and proceeded to the position where the

speedboat had been seen. A speedboat was seen near

the reclamation. The RHKP officers heard radio

messages being sent by the vessel.

At 2220 hrs. the officers returned to PV 46 and fired

4 flares. At 2235 they fired a further flare but

still with no reaction from the speedboat. At 2245 PV

46 went alongside the mole and spoke to the crew of the speedboat. It was an ex-smuggling "Tai Fei" 12-15 metres in length and grey in colour with 4 outboard engines. On board were 6 persons in green uniform

with light blue buoyancy aids. One, who appeared to be in charge, had yellow rings on his uniform sleeve.

He said they were Gong Bian officers on anti-smuggling

operations and would be on patrol until 0500 hrs. 3 weapons were seen in the cockpit, at least one of which (and probably the other 2) was a Type 56 rifle.

The officer in charge of the "Tai Fei" said there was

a further patrol vessel one nautical mile north of the

its present position. PV 46 cast off and headed north. It approached to within 15 metres of the

patrol vessel and requested it to leave Hong Kong waters with nil response. Later on, at 2355 hrs., PV 46 was again intercepted by the "Tai Fei".