A. Introduction

In accordance with ICAO Annex 12 recommendation, the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department organizes regular search and rescue (SAR) exercises, providing continuation training and familiarization in SAR techniques for SAR units in Hong Kong.  This year, Hong Kong had the honour to host a Search and Rescue Seminar from 28 to 29 (a.m.) October 2008 under the auspices of ICAO.  SAREX 2008 was right after the Seminar from 29 (p.m.) to 30 October 2008. 

B. Objectives

The objectives of the ICAO SAR Seminar were to refresh the awareness of the participants regarding states’ responsibilities on SAR and to keep them informed of the latest development in SAR techniques, practices and supporting infrastructure.

The objectives of the SAREX were as follows:

• To test the effectiveness of the alerting, co-ordination and communication facilities of the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC).
• To test the effectiveness of search and rescue procedures and personnel.
• 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.
• To promote effective search and rescue planning.
• To enhance co-ordination and co-operation between local and overseas search and rescue units.
• To provide an opportunity for representatives from other departments and neighbouring countries to view the SAR organizations and exchange their expertise.

C. ICAO SAR Seminar

The ICAO SAR Seminar was held at the Conference Room of HKMA at 2 IFC on 28-29(am) October 08. There were 124 participants from 13 countries attended the Seminar. They were representatives from (in alphabetical order): Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, China, Hong Kong China, Macau China, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States of America and Vietnam. Local participants included representatives from Fire Services Department, Hong Kong Marine Police, Marine Department and Government Flying Service.

The Seminar was chaired by Mr. Andrew Tiede, Regional Officer of Asia Pacific Region, ICAO Regional Office (Bangkok) with senior officials at directorate level from CAD as moderators, and was officially opened by the Director-General of Civil Aviation of Hong Kong, Mr. Norman Lo.  There were altogether 10 presentations given by ICAO, China Maritime Safety Administration (MSA), Singapore CAA, CAD (HK, China), GFS (HK, China), Australia RCC, USAF, USN and USCG respectively, The Seminar was very informative and fruitful.

D. SAREX 2008

Participants of SAREX 2008 included (in alphabetical order):

China Maritime Safety Administration
China Ministry of Communications
Civil Aid Service Hong Kong
Civil Aviation Department
Government Flying Service
Hong Kong Fire Services Department
Hong Kong Observatory
Hong Kong Police Force (Marine Region)
Marine Department
People’s Liberation Army, Hong Kong Garrison
United States Air Force, Pacific RCC
United States Coast Guard, 14th District
United States Navy

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

Air Traffic Management Bureau of CAAC, China
Air Traffic Center, Republic of Korea
Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited, Sri Lanka
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh
Civil Aviation Authority of Macao, China
Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore
Civil Aviation Administration of Viet Nam
Corpo de Bombeiros, Macao, China
Department of Civil Aviation, Bhutan
Department of Civil Aviation, Brunei
Department of Civil Aviation, Thailand
Guangdong Marine Emergency Search & Rescue Centre, China
Rescue Coordination Centre, New Zealand
United Kingdom Coast Guard

1. Short Range SAREX

The short range SAREX was conducted at Tung O Wan of Lamma Island on the afternoon of 29 October 2008.  It was jointly performed by the People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison (PLA), China Maritime Safety Administration (MSA), China Ministry of Communications (MOC), Hong Kong Police (Marine Region), Hong Kong Fire Services Department, Civil Aid Service Hong Kong and Government Flying Service.

Seven simulated survivors on a dinghy were being searched and rescued by the search and rescue units (SRUs). The FSD Fire Fighting Boat kicked off the exercise by performing simulated fire fighting operations on the simulated wreckage. Winching of simulated survivors was performed in turn by a PLA Z-9 helicopter, a China MOC S76A helicopter and a GFS Super Puma L2 helicopter. The GFS Jetstream was the On Scene Coordinator.

Over 200 observers, including local and overseas press reporters attended the event.

SRUs participated in Short Range SAREX:

(i) PLA HK Garrison –  2 Z9 Helicopters and 2 Naval Vessels
(ii) China MSA – 1 Rescue Vessel (Patrol 31)
(iii) China Ministry of Communications (MOC) – 1 S76A Helicopter
(iv) GFS – 1 JS41 and 1 L2
(v) HK Police (Marine) – 3 Patrol Boats and 4 Speed Boats
(vi) FSD – 1 Fire Fighting Vessel and 2 Diver Boats
(vii) CAS – 4 simulated survivors
(viii) Marine Department – 1 Observer Boat and 1 Media Boat

2. Long Range SAREX

On the late afternoon of 29 October 2008, a GFS helicopter dropped one search target simulating two persons in water at approximately 50 NM south of Hong Kong.  Appropriate alerting action was carried out and a search plan was devised with the SARIS II computer program to deploy the available search resources of a GFS JS41, a GFS L2, a USAF HH60 and a USCG C130.

Mission and weather briefing for aircrew was conducted at 0900 LT on 30 October 2008 in the Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) located in the Air Traffic Control Complex. GFS was appointed as the On Scene Coordinator for the mission.

The SRUs were launched between 1032 and 1046 LT and they arrived on scene between 1104 and 1121 LT to start the search. At 1135 LT, US Coast Guard C130 had to withdraw from the mission owing to engine problem. The search plan was subsequently revised to re-allocate the search area among the USAF HH60, the GFS JS41 and L2. After fixing the problem, the C130 departed again at 1318 LT to re-join the exercise. The search plan was then further revised to fit in the C130. The search exercise was concluded at 1505 LT after recovering all SRUs.

The exercise was successfully concluded despite the fact that the target could not be located.  Participants were able to gain a better understanding of the SAR capabilities of the participating units and valuable experience was learnt from the exercise. The objectives of the exercise were fulfilled.

SRUs participated in Long Range SAREX:

(i) GFS – 1 JS41 and 1 L2
(ii) USCG – 1 C130
(iii) USAF – 1 HH60

3. Social Events

2 social events were hosted by CAD for all participants of the SAR Seminar and SAREX 2008, namely a cocktail reception at the HKMA venue on the evening of 28 October and a buffet lunch on 30 October at the Novotel Citygate.

4. Exercise Review Meeting

An exercise review meeting was held on 31 October 2008 in the Conference Room at the CAD HQ. 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 2008 was concluded with the objectives of the exercise satisfactorily fulfilled. After the meeting, mementos were exchanged between CAD and representatives from China MSA, USN, US Coast Guard and USAF. Souvenirs were also presented to other Government departments as a token of appreciation for their participation in the SAREX.