Small Boat Division (SBDIV) celebrated its 35th Anniversary at the Division's Headquarters on Stonecutters Island on April 25. Over 200 retired, serving and former SBDIV members attended a celebration party while Commissioner Tsang Wai-hung and Marine Regional Commander Kwok Yam-shu also joined the celebration as guests of honour.

 

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Tsang recalled the bitters and sweets of working with frontline officers in the former Anti-Smuggling Task Force (ASTF).  Mr Tsang praised SBDIV officers for their professionalism, perseverance and courage, and encouraged them to keep up their efforts and carry out duties in a safe and effective manner. 

 

The Division has recently enhanced its operational capabilities with a programme of Maritime Emergency Response Training.

 

The former Small Boat Unit was formed in 1979 to help tackle the influx of illegal immigrants and later to work closely with the ASTF to tackle smugglers' high-powered speedboats. In 2003, the Unit and ASTF were amalgamated to form the SBDIV.

 

 

With a view to reinforcing communication in handling emergencies, Marine West Division (MWDIV) conducted sharing sessions with the construction companies of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the Tuen Mun - Chek Lap Kok Link in June last year and January this year.  Since then, a communication protocol for better coordination between Marine Police and the construction companies has been established. 

 

To evaluate the effectiveness of the protocol, MWDIV conducted a Joint Marine Rescue Drill with a construction company at the Tuen Mun - Chek Lap Kok Link (Southern Connection Viaduct Section) on April 27 by simulating an incident in which a worker accidentally fell into sea from a marine work platform.  Marine Police and the construction company's Marine Rescue Team immediately mounted a rescue operation.  

 

After the drill, Acting Divisional Commander Law Ka-hong pointed out that the Rescue Drill succeeded in enhancing the efficiency of Marine Police and the construction company to deal with emergencies, besides further strengthening the communication and cooperation between Marine Police and the company.

 

 

Marine South Division (MSDIV) participated in the 10th Annual Hong Kong Water Safety Day hosted by Hong Kong Life Saving Society and Hong Kong Swimming Teachers' Association at Repulse Bay on May 1. The event attracted over 1 600 spectators.

 

The MSDIV Sea Safety Southern Cross Team set up an information booth at the venue to promote sea safety by displaying different kinds of life-saving equipment, including Water Sports Lifejacket, SOLAS Red Flare, and Jason Cradle Rescue Stretcher.  The spectators were also invited to try on the latest Marine Police Inflatable Lifejacket.

 

 

The annual Wallis Trophy competition organised by the Hong Kong Police Lawn Bowls Club concluded successfully on April 29 following three weeks of intense round-robin competition among eight Major Formation teams. Eventually, Marine Region won the title, followed by Criminal Records Bureau, Traffic Kowloon East and School of Foundation Training of Police College as first, second and third runners-up respectively. 

 

Presenting trophies to the winner and runners-up, Director of Police College Paul Lau congratulated the teams and praised them for teamwork and sportsmanship. Inspector Ma Hung-cheung, organiser of this year's Wallis Trophy competition, pointed out that there were nine new players this year and their participation underscores the objective of the game – to encourage new players to take up and promote the game of Lawn Bowls within the Force.

 

 

Fifty-four officers and civilian staff members rolled up their sleeves and donated blood at the Marine Region Blood Donation Day held at Marine Regional Headquarters on April 28.