Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department organises regular Search and Rescue Exercises (SAREX) in accordance with the recommendation in ICAO Annex 12.  For 2006, the SAREX was held from 24 to 27 October.  The exercise consisted of 2 main parts, the long-range search exercise and the short-range sea rescue exercise.

The purpose of the exercise was to enhance the co-operation and co-ordination among the SAR Units, and to provide an opportunity for discussion of SAR techniques.

A static display took place on the first day of the exercise, 24 October 2006.  On display were a C130 from USCG, a C130 from USAF, a JS41 aircraft and an AS332 L2 helicopter from the Government Flying Service, 4 fire engines and a rescue boat from the Airport Fire Station, and associated rescue and diving equipment.

The long-range search exercise was carried out on 25 October 2006 between 1100 LT and 1500 LT in 80 NM south of Hong Kong.

On 24 October 2006, an MD80 aircraft (Registration B-ABC, POB 121) from Hong Kong to Singapore was approaching SANDI when the aircraft reported No. 1 engine problem and requested to return to Hong Kong.  The aircraft was cleared direct to BAKER.  Shortly after, at 0955UTC, a brief “Mayday” call was received from the aircraft.  No details on the distress condition were received by the Hong Kong ATC Centre with the “Mayday” call and communication with the aircraft was lost thereafter.   The aircraft disappeared from the radar screen at time 0956UTC at a position TD 184/80NM.  Radar reply showed the last radar contact was at position 205430N 1141400E.  The last mode C read-out was A009, track 050 and speed 390 kt.  DETRESFA was immediately declared. Rescue Coordination Centre of Civil Aviation Department was activated and commences the search operation.

The main participating Hong Kong Government Departments and United States search units were:

• Civil Aviation Department
• Government Flying Service
• United States Coast Guard
• United States Air Force

Distribution of Workload was as follows:

1. Civil Aviation Department –
   overall co-ordinator of the exercise.
2. Government Flying Service –
   provide 1 Jet stream JS41 fixed wing aircraft & 1 Super Puma AS332 L2 helicopter.
3. United States Coast Guard –
   provide 1 Hercules C130 aircraft.
4. United States Air Force –
   provide 1 Hercules C130 aircraft.
5. Marine Department –
   issue navigational warnings to mariners.
6. Hong Kong Observatory –
   provide meteorological information for the exercise.

The short-range exercise was carried out on 26 October 2006 between 1030 LT and 1200 LT in Port Shelter.

A Gulfstream IV aircraft with 12 crew/passengers onboard, which departed HKIA enroute to Changsha, reported mechanical problem and ditching in the east of Hong Kong (Port Shelter area).  The Control Tower at CLK alerted the SAR Units and initiates the sea rescue operation.

The main participating Hong Kong Government Departments were:

• Civil Aviation Department
• Government Flying Service
• Marine Police
• Fire Services Department
• Marine Department
• Civil Aid Service
• Auxiliary Medical Service

Additionally, the following organisations were also invited to participate:

• The Hong Kong Garrison of the People’s Liberation Army
• China Maritime Search and Rescue Centre

Distribution of workload was as follows:

1. Civil Aviation Department –
   -  overall co-ordinator of the exercise.
2. Hong Kong Garrison of the People’s Liberation Army –
   - provide 2 naval vessels, 3 Z9 helicopters (and 1 standby Z9 helicopter)
   - simulated survivor (with life jacket).
3. China Maritime Search and Rescue Centre –
   - provide 1 MSA vessel (MSA 31) and 1 Sikorsky (S76A B7305) helicopter
   - 1 simulated survivor (with life jacket).
4. Government Flying Service –
   - provide 1 AS332 helicopter
   - provide 1 life raft
   - provide 10 life jackets for the simulated survivors of CAS personnel.
5. Marine Police –
   - provide 2 police launches to take part in the exercise
   - provide logistic support to the life raft and survivors
   - provide 1 police launch for the observers
   - provide 6 pyrotechnic flares.
6. Fire Service Department –
   - provide 3 fire boats (Elite, DV1 & DV2)
   - provide divers to rescue the survivors in the life raft
   - provide safety protection to the participants.
7. Marine Department –
   - issue navigational warnings to mariners
   - provide 2 vessels to transport the observers and media.
8. Civil Aid Service –
   - provide 10 simulated survivors.
9. Auxiliary Medical Service –
   - provide first aid service to the observer and media boats.