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The Report of Hong Kong SAREX 2002

 

Introduction

 

The 2002 Hong Kong Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX 2002) was conducted from 23 to 26 April 2002. This is an annual exercise organized by the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department in accordance with the provisions laid down in ICAO Annex 12.

 

Objectives

 

The objectives of the SAREX are as follows:

q      To test the effectiveness of the alerting, co-ordination and communication facilities of the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC).

q      To test the effectiveness of search and rescue procedures and personnel.

q      To provide continuation training and familiarization in search and rescue technique for SAR qualified air traffic controllers, aircrews and other SAR units likely to be involved in such operations.

q      To promote effective search and rescue planning.

q      To enhance co-ordination and co-operation between local and overseas search and rescue units.

q      To provide an opportunity for representatives from other departments and neighbouring countries to view the SAR organizations and exchange their expertise.

 

Welcoming Address by the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Mr. Albert Lam

 

Good afternoon, distinguished guests and friends, ladies and gentlemen,

 

The Civil Aviation Department appreciates your participation in SAREX 2002 and I would also like to take this opportunity to extend my warmest welcome to all our friends from overseas.

 

Our department is committed to provide quality air traffic control services to ensure a highly efficient and safe air transport system for this region. In the event that an aircraft encounters any kind of emergency situations, we are ready to render, without delay, search and rescue service to those in need to help them reach safety. To do this, it is important that we have in place an efficient and effective search and rescue (SAR) resources. In accordance with the provisions of ICAO Annex 12, the Civil Aviation Department conducts regular exercises in conjunction with our SAR partners, to ensure the competence and effectiveness of our SAR resources. These exercises aim to provide continuation training and practice for SAR personnel, to test the response and co-operation of SAR units and to raise a high level of awareness and team spirit in search and rescue. It is also an excellent forum for both local and overseas SAR experts to share knowledge and experience.

In the past, we held SAREX in the winter month of December to take advantage of the normally good weather conditions.  SAREX 2001 was not held in December 2001 owing to our commitment of resources in the implementation of the revised air route structure in Sea China Sea airspace in the latter part of 2001. In its stead, it has been decided to conduct SAREX 2002 at this time of the year so that all have the opportunity to experience the April weather in Hong Kong.

 

I am aware that, in SAREX 2002, our overseas SAR experts from the US Coast Guard and Pacific RCC will share with us their new techniques and latest know-how in SAR. The Government Flying Services of the Hong Kong Special Administration Region is also keen to demonstrate the many modern SAR capabilities of their new Super Puma helicopter in the short-range exercise later in the afternoon. We are also glad to have the continued support of the People¡¦s Liberation Army Forces, Hong Kong in sending their helicopter and patrol boat to participate in this SAREX.  Our SAR staff would also like to try out our recently acquired SAR planning software and to share the experience with all overseas SAR counterparts.

 

Finally, I wish SAREX 2002, like many exercises the Civil Aviation Department has conducted in past years, a successful and fruitful one. And to all friends from overseas, I wish them a pleasant stay in Hong Kong ¡V the City of Life!

 

 

Participants and Observers

 

Participants of SAREX 2002 include (in alphabetical order):

Civil Aid Service

Civil Aviation Department

Fire Services Department

Government Flying Service

Hong Kong Observatory

Hong Kong Police Force

Marine Department

People¡¦s Liberation Army Forces Hong Kong

United States Air Force, Pacific RCC

United States Coast Guard 14^th District

 

Representatives from the following organizations participated as observers (in alphabetical order):

Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Ltd.

Air Traffic Management Bureau of CAAC

Civil Aviation Authority and Air Force of Singapore

Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam

Department of Civil Aviation Malaysia

French Embassy Naval Attaché

Guangdong Marine Emergency Search & Rescue Centre

Macau Administration of Airports Ltd.

United States Air Force News

United States Navy, Commander-in-Chief of Pacific Fleet

 

Static Display of Aircraft and Emergency Appliances

 

A static display of participating aircraft and emergency appliances was held at the Temporary Parking Apron at Hong Kong International Airport on the morning of 24 April 2002. On display this year were the Hercules C-130 from the United States Coast Guard; a Jetstream JS41, a Sikorsky S76, a Black Hawk S70 and a Super Puma L2 from the Government Flying Service; and a Crash Foam Tender, the Mobile Command Unit and a rescue boat from the Airport Fire Contingent. There were also an abundance of survival equipment such as radios, flares, signaling devices, life rafts and protective clothing on exhibit.

 

Apart from representatives from the participating and observing organizations, also attending the event were observers from Airport Authority Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific Airways, China Airlines, China National Aviation Corporation, Dragon Air, Jardine Air Terminal Services Ltd., Jardine Airport Services Ltd., KLM, Philippines Airlines, Qantas Airways, Thai Airways, United Airlines and Breitling China Ltd. In total, over 130 people attended.

 

Short Range Sea Rescue Demonstration

 

On the afternoon of 24 April 2002, a short-range sea rescue demonstration jointly performed by the People¡¦s Liberation Army Forces Hong Kong, Marine Police, Fire Services and Government Flying Service was conducted at the sea channel south of the airport opposite the Government Flying Service compound. Two Marine Police speedboats kicked off the demonstration by conducting a patrol of the sea channel. A PLA Z-9 helicopter then carried out a fly-past and performed several low-level manoeuvres before the GFS Super Puma L2 helicopter was called in to carry out demonstrations of its water-bombing and winching capabilities. The exercise was finally concluded by a rendezvous of the GFS L2 and the Fire Services Command Boat to conduct a deck winching of a stretcher onto the L2.  Over 200 spectators, including local and overseas press reporters who provided a positive coverage of the event in the news media, attended the event.

 

Long Range SAREX

 

At 1800 LT on 24 April 2002, a GFS helicopter dropped a search target at approximately 60 NM south of Hong Kong.  Simulated alerting action and a search plan was then carried out and at 2210 LT, the search plan was dispatched to PLA Forces via fax.  Subsequently, a PLA patrol boat, callsign H73, departed for the assigned search area at around 0530 LT on 25 April 2002 and reported on scene at 1051 LT.

 

Mission and weather briefing for aircrew was carried out between 0830 and 0920 LT on 25 April 2002 in the Conference Room located in the Air Traffic Control Complex. USCG was appointed as the On Scene Commander for the mission.  The GFS Jetstream aircraft, callsign JS31, was launched at 1041 LT while the USCG C-130, callsign CG1703, departed at 1045 LT. They arrived on scene at 1058 LT and 1106 LT respectively.  On scene weather reports indicated that there had been significant wind change overnight after the target was dropped and the sea state was rougher than forecast, the search areas were therefore adjusted accordingly.  The search exercise was terminated at 1546 LT after recovering all SRUs.  Although there was no confirmed sighting of the target, the USCG C-130 reported, shortly before the end of the exercise, spotting a suspected target and a flare was dropped.  However, on the subsequent flypasts, the sighting could not be positively confirmed.

 

Social Events

 

Two social events were organized for SAREX 2002. A VIP luncheon reception for senior officials, hosted by the Director-General of Civil Aviation, was held on 24 April 2002, and a dinner reception was held on the evening of 25 April 2002 after the long-range exercise as a token of appreciation to all participants and observers.  Both functions were well attended.

 

Critique Meeting

 

A Critique Meeting was held on 26 April 2002 at the Conference Room of the Air Traffic Control Complex to evaluate the conduct of the SAREX. The Deputy Director-General of Civil Aviation, Mr Norman Lo, expressed appreciation for the support and contributions given by all local and foreign organizations, SAR units and overseas observers in making the SAREX 2002 a success.  The overall arrangement of the SAREX was considered satisfactory and the various events have been conducted smoothly.

 

Discussions focussed primarily on the simulated target. The USN suggested using suitably modified parts of boat wreckage instead of rubber tyres as the simulated target as this would be more economical and realistic.  It was also suggested that because of its size and shape, the target be towed out to the drop area by ship instead of air dropping. The USCG suggested strapping an EPIRB to the simulated target and should the visual search fail, the EPIRB could be set off by a remote trigger to facilitate an electronic search. The meeting considered it a good suggestion but nonetheless, a number of factors had to be considered, such as operating the EPIRB on a discrete frequency and devising means to recover the equipment.

 

In conclusion, representative of USCG spoke favourably of the newly procured SARIS II computer program.  The computed solution and search area in comparison with their CASP result were almost identical.  He commended the participating SRUs and the SAR team for their hard work and appreciated the opportunity for sharing of experience, exchanging ideas and techniques with their counterparts.

 

Representative of the PLA Forces Hong Kong also congratulated CAD for a successful exercise. He said that this was the fourth time they had participated in such exercise since stationing in Hong Kong. Their participation in the exercise would certainly strengthen the cooperation and understanding with the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

 

Finally, mementos were exchanged between participating units and the SAREX 2002 was concluded with the objectives of the exercise satisfactorily fulfilled.

 

Speech by the People¡¦s Liberation Army Forces Hong Kong

 

First, we wish to congratulate the Civil Aviation Department for the success in organizing this search and rescue exercise.

 

At the request of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and with the approval of the Central People¡¦s Government, the People¡¦s Liberation Army Forces Hong Kong has deployed one boat and a helicopter to participate in the exercise. This is our fourth time since stationing in Hong Kong to participate in such search and rescue exercise.  To assist the Hong Kong SAR Government in search and rescue operations is one of our responsibilities in accordance with our decree.  Through participation in the search and rescue exercise where we can exchange experience with other rescue units, we become more familiar with the conduct and coordination of search and rescue operations by the Hong Kong SAR Government.  This is very beneficial to us in the effective discharge of our duties and enhances our capabilities in assisting the Hong Kong SAR Government in search and rescue mission.  This exercise has helped to achieve a closer cooperation with the Hong Kong SAR Government in the field of search and rescue, and has further strengthened our communication and coordination.  We trust that in future we will be able to further our cooperation in this regard.

 

Our friends from the United States have also participated in the exercise.  We hope that through this exercise, we have a better mutual understanding of each other and further strengthen the friendship and relationship between us.  Thank you.

 

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