Civil Aviation Department is holding it’s annual Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) between 17 and 20 August 2005.

The objective of the Exercise is to provide continuation training and familiarization for search and rescue qualified air traffic controllers, aircrews, SAR units and PLA HK likely to be involved in such operations.It will also test the alerting co-ordination and communication facilities.Representatives from other departments, Mainland China and neighbouring countries will be invited to the SAREX 2005 as observers.

1. Exercise Planning Meeting (17 August 2005) All representatives of SAREX units and observers will attend the meeting from 1430 to 1630 LT in the Hong Kong International Airport.

2. Medium Range Search Exercise (18 August 2005)

   The scenario is to simulate a helicopter crashed at sea (28 NM south of Hong Kong Poi Toi Island), HK PLA naval ships and helicopter will be deployed in the search and rescue operation. HK GFS helicopter will assist in the exercise.

3. Short Range Sea Rescue Exercise (19 August 2005)

   The scenario is to simulate a helicopter crashed in Hong Kong, PLA naval ships and helicopter will be deployed in the search and rescue operation. GFS helicopter and Marine Police launch will assist in the exercise. Fire boats from FSD will demonstrate fire fighting drill and send divers to rescue a simulated survivor.

4. Exercise Review Meeting (20 August 2005)

   All representatives of SAREX units and observers will attend the meeting from 1000 to 1200 LT in the Hong Kong International Airport. Presentation of mementoes to SAREX units will be carried out after the meeting.

If SAREX is affected by weather or any other reasons, such exercise will be delayed to 22 August 2005.

1. Civil Aviation Department is the command and control of the Search and Rescue Exercise 2005.

2. People's Liberation Army Forces Hong Kong (PLA) provides two navel ships and a Z9 helicopter for the short range sea rescue demonstration and Medium Range exercise.

3. Government Flying Service (GFS) provides a Jetstream JS41 aircraft, AS-332 L2 super puma helicopter and personnel to participate in the short range sea rescue demonstration, the drop of search target and the Medium Range exercise.

4. Marine Department provides two launches for observers and reporters, coordinates the marine units during the sea rescue demonstration and issue notification for SAREX.

5. Hong Kong Police Force (Marine Region) participates in and provides logistic support for the short range sea rescue demonstration.

6. Fire Services Department (FSD) provides three fire boats and divers for the fire fighting and sea rescue demonstration. Also provide rescue support during the exercise.

7. Civil Aid Services join the short range exercise with Government Flying Service and Marine Police.

8. Information Services Department handles media enquiry and arranges press coverage together with Public Relation Officer from Civil Aviation Department.

9. Hong Kong Observatory provides meteorological information for the exercise.

10. Civil Aviation Department will provide SAR qualified controllers to command and control the exercise in the Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre (ARCC) which is located in Room 629, 6th Floor, Air Traffic Control Complex, Hong Kong International Airport.

     

Reporters will be arranged on board press launch to carry out photography and filming of the Short Range Sea Rescue Exercise.PLA reporters will be arranged on board PLA launch.

Weather Condition

The SAREX will commence under visual meteorological condition.