New launches further boost Marine Region's efficiency
The commissioning of two more Keka class launches earlier this month has further boosted Marine Region's operational efficiency.
The new launches were commissioned by Commissioner Lee Ming-kwai at Joss House Bay on May 5.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Mr Lee pointed out that the addition to the fleet of marine police epitomised the Force's determination to enhance its frontline policing services.
"The Marine Police is the Force's major law enforcement agency on Hong Kong waters, and great importance is attached to upgrading its equipment and constantly enhancing its operational efficiency to maintain law and order on the sea," he noted.
Each of the new Keka launches measures 30 metres in length and 6.3 metres in width, and has a displacement of 110 tonnes. It can reach a maximum speed of 27 knots.
Made of aluminum alloy, the vessel is noticeably lighter, and consumes one-fifth less fuel than police launches of a similar size.
Sophisticated facilities installed on board range from radar, thermal imager and Global Positioning System to electronic chart and navigation equipment.
In addition, the wheelhouse's 360-degree panoramic field of vision puts officers in good command of what is going on in surrounding waters.
To better cope with operational needs, the new launches are equipped with hydraulic cranes for launching and retrieving speedboats.
The new launches have been brought in to replace the Damen class patrol launches, which have been in service for the past 20 years. The first two Keka launches were commissioned in late October 2002 and have since demonstrated their efficiency during operations.
