Spill salvage: Government departments and oil companies conduct an anti-oil pollution exercise off Tuen Mun.

The Marine Department has conducted a joint exercise in waters off Tsing Lung Garden in Tuen Mun to test the response and efficiency of government departments and oil companies in handling spills.

Today's exercise was divided into six stages to test anti-oil pollution techniques including the deployment of containment booms, skimmers and dispersants, and the clean up of shorelines and equipment recovery.

A mock 6,740-tonne tanker carrying 3,000 tonnes of oil took on water northwest of The Brothers islands.

The vessel's cargo tanks were damaged and the vessel beached off Tsing Lung Garden to avoid sinking. More than 100 tonnes of oil spilled into the sea at a rate of 30 tonnes an hour.

The Food & Environmental Hygiene and Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Departments also took part, along with the Government Flying Service, Police, the Civil Aid Service and six oil companies.