2006 | Important notices |
Last revision date: 6 June 2006
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The Hong Kong Search and Rescue Exercise 2003 (SAREX 2003) was conducted between 26 November and 29 November 2003, following the ICAO SAR Seminar 2003. This is an annual exercise organized by the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department in accordance with the recommendations laid down in ICAO Annex 12.
The objectives of the SAREX are as follows:
An ICAO Search and Rescue Seminar was held at the Airport Hotel prior to SAREX 2003 on 24-25 November. The objectives of the ICAO Seminar are to refresh the awareness of the participants regarding states’ responsibilities in SAR and to keep them informed of the latest development in SAR techniques, practices and supporting infrastructure. 32 participants from the following 13 civil aviation authorities attended the Seminar: Cambodia, India, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, People ’s Republic of China, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, United States of America and Vietnam. Local participants included representatives from Airport Authority, Government Flying Service , Airlines and Ground Handling Agents.
The Seminar was officially opened by the Director-General of Civil Aviation of Hong Kong, Mr. Albert Lam with Mr. Norman Lo, Deputy Director-General of Civil Aviation, and other senior officials from CAD acted as modulators. Sessions of the Seminar were chaired by Mr. David Moores, representative from ICAO Regional Office. All the participants agreed that the Seminar was very informative and fruitful.
Mr. David Moores, representative of the ICAO Regional Office, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen:
First of all, I would like to extend to all of you a very warm welcome to this Search and Rescue Seminar. Indeed we are honoured by your presence. Under Article 25 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation and Annex 12 to the Convention, a state is obliged to provide search and rescue service within its Search and Rescue Region. In time of aircraft distress or emergencies, saving of human life is of paramount importance. As survivors can be exposed to very hostile environment such as cold weather, the rough open sea, shortage of water and food supply etc., the chance of survival is highly dependent on whether they can be located and rescue in time. Therefore search and rescue is an important component of the aviation safety systems.
Throughout the years, modern technology has significantly helped us to enhance our ability in search and rescue. The search technique and probability of locating the survivors have been greatly improved with the introduction of EPIRB and the detection by satellite. Computer software has been designed to facilitate planning of SAR operations and execution of the search plan. Communication with on scene search units and between rescue co-ordination centres have also improved with state-of-the-art facilities such as hotlines, cell phones, email as well as data links.
On the side of search and rescue management, it is important that states are providing adequate resources to maintain and upgrade the SAR facilities as required, to upkeep the SAR procedures and to train up sufficient number of staff who are qualified for commanding and conducting SAR operations.
Noting the importance of the SAR functions to our daily aviation activities, ICAO has initiated the organization of SAR seminars with the objectives of refreshing our knowledge and expertise in SAR and to keep ourselves abreast of the latest development in SAR technique and practices. The seminar will also provide a forum for SAR experts to exchange views and to share their experience to their mutual benefits. Hong Kong China has the honour of being nominated to host this seminar for Asia Pacific region. Ladies and gentlemen, I wish you a successful seminar and an enjoyable stay in Hong Kong. A Search and Rescue exercise will be held right after the Seminar on 26-29 November in Hong Kong and I invite you all to attend the exercise as observers. Thank you.
Participants of SAREX 2003 include (in alphabetical order):
Auxiliary Medical Service Hong Kong
Civil Aid Service Hong Kong
Civil Aviation Department Hong Kong
Hong Kong Fire Services Department
Government Flying Service Hong Kong
Hong Kong Observatory
Hong Kong Police Force (Marine Region)
Marine Department Hong Kong
People’s Liberation Army Forces Hong Kong
United States Air Force, Pacific RCC
United States Coast Guard, 14th District
Representatives from the following organizations participated as observers (in alphabetical order):
Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Ltd.
Air Traffic Management, Vietnam
Airports Authority of India
Cambodia Airport Management Service
Civil Aviation Administration of China
Civil Aviation Authority, Macau, China
Civil Aviation Authority, Singapore
Civil Aviation Authority of Mongolia
Civil Aviation Safety Authority, Republic of Korea
Consulate General of The United States of America
Department of Civil Aviation, Malaysia
Guangdong Marine Emergency Search & Rescue Centre
Tokyo RCC, JCAB
United States Navy, Pacific Fleet
A static display of participating aircraft and emergency appliances was held at the Temporary Parking Apron at HKIA in the afternoon of 26 November 2003. Aircraft on display were Hercules C-130 from United States Coast Guard; Hercules C-130 from United States Air Force; Jetstream J-41, Eurocopter Super Puma AS332 L2 helicopter, and Eurocopter EC155 B1 helicopter from Government Flying Service. Three emergency appliances from the Airport Fire Contingent were on display. They were rapid intervention vehicle with ICAO Category 10 capability, crash fire tender and hose foam carrier. Search and survival equipment, such as night vision goggles, flares, air droppable life rafts, and emergency medical system kit, was also on display.
Over 150 participants, included representatives from participating and observing organizations, and observers from Airport Authority Hong Kong, Civil Aid Service Hong Kong, Helicopters Hong Kong Ltd., Hong Kong Business Aviation Centre Ltd., Hong Kong International Airport Services, Hong Kong Police, and airline offices, attended the event.
The short range mountain and sea rescue demonstration was conducted at Tung O Wan of Lamma Island on the morning of 27 November 2003. It was jointly performed by the People’s Liberation Army Forces Hong Kong, Hong Kong Police (Marine Region), Hong Kong Fire Services Department, Civil Aid Service (CAS) Hong Kong and Government Flying Service.
A GFS Super Puma L2 helicopter kicked off the mountain rescue exercise by airlifting CAS Mountain Rescue Team onto a cliff top where a simulated paraglider was trapped. The victim was rescued from the cliff, treated by CAS casualty team and winched up to the helicopter for transfer to hospital. Deck winching demonstration was performed by the L2 helicopter and a marine police launch. A sea rescue demonstration was performed by two speedboats from FSD with a team of divers. The exercise was concluded by the fly-past of a PLA Z-9 helicopter demonstrating low level search and rescue capabilities.
Over 150 spectators, including local and overseas press reporters who provide a wide coverage of the event in the news media, attended the event.
In late afternoon, 27 November 2003, a GFS helicopter dropped two search targets simulating two persons in water at approximately 80 NM southwest of Hong Kong. Appropriate alerting action was carried out at 2006 LT and a search plan was devised with the SARIS II computer program to deploy the available search resources of a GFS JS41, a USCG C130, a USAF C130 and also a PLA Navy Patrol Vessel. Unfortunately, the participation of the PLA vessel was withdrawn due to the undesirable rough sea state at datum point.
At 0830 LT on 28 November 2003, mission and weather briefing for aircrew was conducted in the Air Traffic Control Complex Conference Room. GFS was appointed as the On Scene Commander for the mission.
The Search and Rescue Units (SRUs) were launched between 1032 and 1046 LT and they arrived on scene between 1104 and 1121 LT to start the search. At 1235 LT, USAF C130 had to withdraw from the mission owing to an on-board computer problem. The search plan was subsequently revised to re-allocate the search area between the GFS JS41 and the USCG C130. The search exercise was terminated at 1531 LT after recovering all SRUs.
The exercise was successfully concluded despite the fact that the target was not yet located at the end of the exercise. Participants were able to gain a better understanding of the SAR capabilities of the participating units and valuable experience was learnt from the exercise. Most importantly, the flexibility in adjusting search and rescue plan in accordance with changes in situations was highly demonstrated. The objectives of the exercise were fulfilled.
Two social events were organized during SAREX 2003. A luncheon reception was hosted by the Director-General of Civil Aviation on 26 November 2003 at the Airport Hotel for senior officials from organizations participating in the exercise. A cocktail reception was held on the evening of 28 November 2003 after the long-range exercise as a token of appreciation to all participants and observers and enabled further sharing of experience among attendees.
A critique meeting was held on 29 November 2003 in the Conference Room at the Air Traffic Control Complex. Before the meeting, mementos were exchanged between Director-General of Civil Aviation and representatives from the PLA Forces, US Coast Guard, USN and USAF. Souvenirs were also presented to other Government departments as a token of appreciation for their participation in the SAREX. The purpose of the meeting was to evaluate the various aspects of the SAREX with respect to co-ordination, communication, dissemination of information etc. so as to provide improvements for future exercises. The comments from all parties were favourable and SAREX 2003 was concluded with the objectives of the exercise satisfactorily fulfilled.
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| 2006| Important notices |
Last revision date: 6 June 2006
|