Hong Kong Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre

The Hong Kong Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (Chinese: 香港海事救援協調中心, HKMRCC) is responsible for coordinating maritime search and rescue in Hong Kong and nearby waters in the South China Sea.

Prior to 1997, the Royal Navy, Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force and the Marine Police were responsible for search and rescue in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong does not have a formal coast guard service and relies on the following agencies involved for maritime search and rescue:

* Hong Kong Police Force Marine Region - patrolling the waters off Hong Kong with large ships, zodiacs, etc.
* Hong Kong Marine Department - rescue catamaran
* Government Flying Service - helicopters and fixed wing aircraft
*Fire Services Department - fire boats

Fleet

Much of the search and rescue fleet are from the various support agencies:

Government Flying Service

* 2 BAe Jetstream 41
* 3 Eurocopter Super Puma AS 332
* 4 Eurocopter Dauphin EC 155 B1

Hong Kong Police Force - 145 vessels

* 2 Keka-class all-aluminium boats
* 25 - 25 metre Damen-type patrol vessels
* 2 - 40 metre command vessels
* 3 - 33 metre PROTECTOR class patrol vessels
* Boston Whaler inshore patrol craft
* Damen/Cougertek ultra high-speed pursuit craft

Fire Services Department

* Fire Boat Elite
* Hoverguard 700

Hong Kong Airport Authority

* 2 rescue ships - for marine/airport related rescues

References

* [http://www.janes.com/security/law_enforcement/news/ipi/ipi0224.shtml On the high seas of Hong Kong]

External links

* [http://www.mardep.gov.hk/en/pub_services/ocean/home.html Hong Kong Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre website]