CONFIDENTIAL
室
As stated previously, RHKAAF helicopters were unable to assist because of the weather conditions and, although a fire boat had been despatched to the scene, its arrival was not expected for a few hours, by which time the survivors could well have been washed off the rock. In any event, it is doubtful whether they could have provided better assistance to deal with the situation. S'Sgt LAU discussed with Sgt 13273 LAM Kong the alternatives open to them and decided that the only viable option, albeit highly dangerous, was to attempt a rescue by way of lowering a small boat and attempting to get alongside Wong Fa Pai rock.
Constables
At about 2330 hrs after moving Police Launch 73 into comparative shelter off Tai O they launched PV 43, a single engined inflatable craft (Avon sea-rider) of 5.4 metres in length. S/Sgt LAU was accompanied by Sgt 13273 LAM Kong and Police
19032 TANG Yau-keung and 19632 LEUNG Chi-kong. To gain as much protection from the gale winds, spray, rain and sea state as possible, S/Sgt LAU approached Wong Fa Pai from the south and managed, with a combination of considerable skill, professionalism and bravery, to get alongside the rock, at which time they confirmed the presence of six survivors huddled on the rock itself. At that time, the sea was crashing over Wong Fa Pai, resulting in walls of spray making a rescue attempt even more difficult and hazardous. The only illumination they had was from hand held torches providing, at best, intermittent illumination.
At about 2345 hrs, with S/Sgt LAU and PC 19632 directing their torches towards Wong Fa Pai, Sgt 13273 and PC 19032 jumped on to the rock from the bow of PV 43, which had been edged as close as possible by S/Sgt LAU. Constable 19032 then held the bow line in an effort to keep the sea-rider facing the wind. Because of the slippery surface of the rock both Sgt 13273 and Constable 19032 lost their balance several times, suffering slight abrasions. Despite the conditions however, they managed to hand the survivors, one by one, over to the sea-rider, where PC 19632 assisted them to put on life jackets and then seated them as safely as possible. Once the officers had ascertained that all survivors were accounted for, the sea-rider (now with 10 people on board, i.e. its maximum pay load
under normal conditions) proceeded carefully and slowly to Tai 0. Once safer shelter was reached, all then boarded police launch 73.
The survivors were all fisherfolk from China, two women, 3 men and one child aged 4 years who boarded a second Chinese vessel in the area and were repatriated to China before statements could be taken from them to support the awards. One of the women was elderly and it was very doubtful whether she and the child could have survived much longer under the conditions.
It is indeed debatable whether any of the survivors would have survived much longer on the rock.
CONFIDENTIAL
機密
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