In action: Police and Fire Services launches, and a Government Flying Service helicopter assist in the joint maritime rescue drill held off Lantau Island.

The Marine Department has conducted a maritime search-and-rescue exercise with the Hong Kong Garrison, Guangdong Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre and Macau Marine Department off Lantau Island and the Soko Islands.

The Government Flying Service, Marine Police, Fire Services and Civil Aviation Departments, Civil Aid Service and three ferry companies also joined the SAREX 2007 exercise. It was conducted under the guidelines of the International Maritime Organisation.

Senior Marine Officer (Search & Rescue) Chan Kwok-wai said the annual drill is essential because thousands of passengers travel on high-speed ferries between Hong Kong, Macau and other ports in the Pearl River estuary.

Mock scenario

Today's exercise involved a mock high-speed ferry collision. On receiving the report, the Hong Kong Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre alerted search and rescue units and sought assistance from the Guangdong and Macau authorities.

The Hong Kong Garrison, which happened to be in the vicinity for a drill, volunteered to help out. The exercise went smoothly and was completed in two hours.

Last year the centre handled 53 search and rescue operations saving 236 lives. In the first half of 2007, it handled 32 search and rescue operations saving 73 lives.