| Search and Rescue mission for 8 crewmembers on Vessel "粵陸豐29928" in distress |
| Date & Time: |
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20 Dec 2011 01:48 – 07:17 |
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| Location: |
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Near the Pratas Islands, 315 km to South East of Hong Kong
(N20°45′ , E116°54′) |
This Mission
mobilized: |
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Aircraft:
BAe Jetstream 41 Aeroplane
Eurocopter AS332 L2 Super Puma Helicopter
Pilots: 4
Aircrewman Officers: 3
Total flying hours: 3.25 hours |
Details: |
A Chinese fishing vessel “粵陸豐29928” was reported aground and taking in water near the Pratas Islands, 170 nm (approx 310 km) south-east of Hong Kong. There were eight crewmembers onboard without sufficient lifejackets. Three of them were suffering sea sickness. At 0148, Hong Kong Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) requested Government Flying Service (GFS) to launch an aircraft for the rescue mission.
The Jetstream 41 (J-41) arrived at the target location first and established a good radio communication with the fishing vessel. The J-41 identified the target by instructing the fishing vessel to flash its lights. The fishing vessel was found aground and listing about 45 degrees to the starboard resting on the reef itself. A winching (Hi-Line) briefing was given to the crewmembers of the fishing vessel.
The Superpuma Helicopter arrived 45 minutes later. A winchman was deployed onto the fishing vessel at an operating height of 50 feet after the situation had been assessed by the helicopter. As the winching (Hi-Line) briefing had been given previously, all the crewmembers of the fishing vessel were winched into the helicopter expeditiously. Finally, all the crewmembers of the fishing vessel were safely brought back to GFS headquarters, arriving at 0712 in the morning.
As the datum was far away from Hong Kong, the helicopter crew needed to make precise planning for the whole mission, particularly on the fuel requirements. A refuelling stop at an oil-rig en-route was prepared in case of extra fuel requirement on the return leg. On scene, the fishing vessel was listing about 45 degrees. All these factors increased the difficulty during the operation. With excellent team effort from all flight crew and officers at Air Command and Control Centre at GFS HQs, the mission was successfully completed. |
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| Search and Rescue mission for 21 crewmembers on Vessel "Bright Ruby" in distress |
| Date & Time: |
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21 Nov 2011 15:21 – 25 Nov 2011 18:05 |
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| Location: |
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626km to South of Hong Kong
(N16°33′ , E114°00′) |
This Mission
mobilized: |
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Aircraft:
BAe Jetstream 41 aeroplanes (Flew 6 missions)
Pilots: 12
Aircrewman Officers: 7
Observers: 4
Total flying hours: 22.2 hours |
Details: |
The Jetstream 41 arrived at the target location but found that the vessel had already sunk. There was only some debris and 2 life rafts visible in the area. The Jetstream 41 acted as a rescue commander and coordinated with vessels in the vicinity using radio communications to carry out the rescue. Using this method, our crew managed to assist in the rescue of 3 persons in the sea throughout 4 days of search and rescue. 3 other crewmembers were also recovered by vessels in the area.
A tasking-out request by Hong Kong Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) was received at 15:21 on 21 Nov 2011. A Cargo vessel “Bright Ruby” was reported in distress and it was suspected that it had sunk. As the location was a long distance from Hong Kong, only fixed wing aircraft were deployed for the search and rescue operation.
The search area was large and a long distance from Hong Kong, and our aircraft had to fly at a low height and slow speed to search for the survivors. The complexity of the mission was increased as the search location was outside the Hong Kong Flight Information Region (HKFIR), so our aircraft had to be granted clearance to operate inside the airspace of Manila and Sanya, Hainan.
Finally, the search was stood down by MRCC at 18:05 on 25 Nov 2011. |
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| GFS took part in Cheung Chau rescue |
Following an incident that involved a ferry in the Cheung Chau Typhoon Shelter today (21st October 2011), the Government Flying Service deployed helicopters for five flights to deliver nine injured persons to hospitals from 6 am to 8.55 am today.
Three seriously injured persons were sent to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital. Six other injured persons were delivered to Wan Chai Helipad and taken to hospitals by ambulances. |
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| Search and Rescue Operation for a hiker fell from height |
| Date: |
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4 Oct 2011 |
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| Location: |
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Tai Shek Stream, Tai Mo Shan (KK 034 823) |
| Mobilized: |
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Helicopter: 1 x Eurocopter AS332 L2 Super Puma Helicopter
2 Pilots
2 Aircrewman Officers |
| 11:57 |
GFS was tasked out by the Fire Services Department to rescue a hiker fell from height at Tai Shek Stream, Tai Mo Shan |
| 12:20 |
Super Puma Helicopter took off from GFS base. |
| 12:27 |
Helicopter arrived on scene.
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| 12:50 |
The injured hiker was located with a group of hikers underneath trees along a stream on a steep slope. A winchman was deployed to access the situation. |
| 13:05 |
Helicopter left the scene and landed at Shek Kong aerodrome to reserve the fuel while the winchman was conducting first aid to the injured hiker. |
| 13:40 |
Helicopter returned on scene and picked up the injured hiker with the winchman. |
| 13:48 |
Helicopter landed at Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital and transferred the injured hiker to the hospital. |
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| Search and Rescue Operation for 7 crew members of "粵陸豐29928" in Distress |
| Date: |
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21 Feb 2011 |
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| Location: |
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166 km from South West of Hong Kong
(N21°22′ , E112°58′) |
This Mission
mobilized: |
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Aeroplanes : 3 x BAe Jetstream 41
Helicopters :
2 x Eurocopter AS332 L2 Super Puma Helicopter
10 Pilots
10 Aircrewman Officers |
21st Feb 2011 |
| 23:55 |
GFS was alerted by the Hong Kong Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) that a fishing vessel “粵陽江9899” was taking in water at 8:30 p.m. at 237 degrees, position 166 km South West of Waglan. The master declared “abandon ship” and a total of 7 crews on board required assistance. The fishing vessel sunk and crews fell into water at 9:50 p.m. on 21 Feb 2011. |
22nd Feb 2011 |
| 01:21 |
Jetstream 41 Aeroplane and Super Puma Helicopter took off from GFS base. |
| 01:55 |
Aeroplane and Helicopter arrived on scene & located 5 survivors.
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| 02:55 |
Helicopter picked up 5 survivors and continued to search for the 2 remaining crew members. |
| 04:30 |
Aeroplane and Helicopter were off scene. The 5 survivors were brought back to GFS base. The 2 crewmembers were still missing. |
| 05:00 |
All GFS aircrafts landed at GFS base.
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| 07:27 |
Helicopter took off and conducted the second wave of search. |
| 07:58 |
Helicopter arrived on scene. |
| 08:49 |
Aeroplane took off and conducted the second wave of search. |
| 09:18 |
Helicopter was off scene and nothing was found. Aeroplane arrived on scene and continued the search. |
| 13:00 |
Aeroplane was off scene and nothing was found. |
| 13:30 |
Aeroplane landed at GFS base. |
23rd Feb 2011 |
08:45 |
Aeroplane took off and conducted the third wave of search. |
| 09:30 |
Aeroplane arrived on scene. |
| 13:00 |
Aeroplane was off scene and nothing was found. |
| 14:00 |
Aeroplane landed at GFS base.
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| Search and Rescue Operation for 17 crew members of Tanker “Global Juno” in Distress |
| Date: |
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30 Oct 2010 |
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| Location: |
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180 km South East of Hong Kong
(N20°59′ , E115°09′) |
This Mission
mobilized: |
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Aeroplane : 1 x BAe Jetstream 41
Helicopters:
1 x Eurocopter AS332 L2 Super Puma Helicopter
4 Pilots
3 Aircrewman Officers |
| 0516 |
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GFS alerted by the Hong Kong Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) that a tanker ship “GLOBAL JUNO” was taking in water at 1:53 a.m. on 30 Oct 2010 at 148 degrees, position 180 km South East of Waglan. The master declared “abandon ship” and a total of 17 crews were on board. |
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| 0740 |
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Jetstream arrived on scene & located the tanker ship and acted as the on-scene- commander. |
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| 0755 |
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Super Puma arrived on scene and commenced rescue operation. |
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| 0854 |
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All 17 crew winched up by Super Puma and dropped off on the bulk carrier named “RBD FIUGGI”, the ship was proceeding to Indonesia, estimate arrival at the noon time on 3 Nov 2010. |
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| 0935 |
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All GFS aircraft landed Chek Lap Kok Base. |
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| Search
and Rescue Operation for 10 crew members of a sunken fishing
vessel |
| Date: |
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02 Feb 2010 |
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| Location: |
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46 miles North East of Hong Kong.
(N22°29′ , E115°03′) |
This Mission
mobilized: |
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Aeroplane: 2 x BAe Jetstream 4100
Helicopters:
2 x Eurocopter AS332L2 Super Puma Helicopters
8 Pilots
6 Aircrewmen Officers |
| 0445 |
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GFS was tasked out by the Hong Kong Maritime
Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) that a fishing
vessel “粵汕尾 40051” sunk in position 46 miles
North East of Hong Kong.
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| 0610 |
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Super Puma airborne from GFS Headquarters
at Chek Lap Kok |
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| 0700 |
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Super Puma arrived on scene. |
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| 0725 |
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Super Puma picked up 4 survivors. |
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| 0737 |
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MRCC reported that Guang Dong Searching
Vessel '南海救169' had picked up 2 survivors. |
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| 0750 |
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Jetstream airborne from GFS Headquarters
at Chek Lap Kok. |
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| 0809 |
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Super Puma returned to GFS Headquarters
with 4 survivors. |
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| 0810 |
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Jetstream arrived on scene. |
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| 0840 |
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MRCC reported that Guang Dong Searching
Vessel '南海救169' had picked up 1 more survivor. |
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| 0854 |
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Second Super Puma airborne from GFS Headquarters
at Chek Lap Kok. |
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| 0924 |
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Super Puma arrived on scene. |
| 1040 |
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MRCC reported that Guang Dong Searching
Vessel '南海救169' had picked up 1 more survivor.
2 survivors were still missing. |
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| 1209 |
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Jetstream and Super Puma were off scene
and landed GFS headquarters at 1230 and 1247
respectively. |
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| 1408 |
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Second Jetstream was launched for searching
the 2 missing survivors. |
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| 1431 |
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Jetstream arrived on scene. |
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| 1807 |
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Jetstream was off scene. |
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| 1831 |
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Jetstream landed GFS headquarters. |
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| GFS
crews and helicopter return home from Sichuan |
The crew of the Government Flying Service (GFS)
Super Puma helicopter returned to Hong Kong today
(June 6) after completing their rescue and relief
work in earthquake-hit Sichuan.
Yesterday (June 5), the Director of the Hong
Kong and Macao Affairs Office, Sichuan Provincial
Peoples' Government, Mr Cui Zhiwei, and Mr Lu
Er Xu from the Helicopter Command Centre of Civil
Aviation Administration, on behalf of the Disaster
Relief Command of the Sichuan Provincial People's
Government, presented a banner to the GFS crew
members in appreciation of their efforts in providing
assistance in the rescue and relief work in the
disaster areas.
The Super Puma helicopter departed from Guanghan
this morning. The flight crew of the Super Puma
consisted of two pilots and two engineers. Other
members of the team will return home by commercial
flights today and tomorrow.
"We're very proud of the work our crews have
done in Sichuan. It was the result of the collective
efforts of many people, including the crews of
the other relief forces who shared the temporary
base with us in Guanghan,"Controller of GFS Captain
Michael Chan said.
Over the three-week deployment, the GFS crews
were involved in 26 operations in which 96 casualties
were brought to safety and 119 people to the disaster
area. Most of those 119 persons were members of
ground search teams and specialists who monitored
the condition of the quake lake in Tangjiashan.
6 June 2008 |
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| GFS
helicopter recovers two injured mine workers in Sichuan
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The Government Flying Service (GFS) Super Puma
helicopter today (June 1) has successfully recovered
two injured mine workers who had been trapped
in the mountainous area in Mianzhu, Sichuan province.
After being trapped for 19 days, the two survivors,
aged 51 and 45, were found by a People's Liberation
Army (PLA) search team that was sent to the scene
by the GFS helicopter yesterday. However, the
rescue operation was prevented from continuing
by the deteriorating weather conditions in the
afternoon. This morning, the injured mine workers
were airlifted to a place of safety by the GFS
helicopter. The pair, reported to be weak, were
transferred to a local hospital for medical treatment
afterwards.
Two week after being sent to Sichuan to assist
in rescue work in Sichuan, the GFS helped to rescue
over 90 survivors. The GFS rescue team will continue
its work in Sichuan.
1 June 2008 |
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| GFS
Involvement in the Rescue and Relief Work in Sichuan |
The recent earthquake in Sichuan Province brought
tremendous loss of both human life and property
in China. It is anticipated that much effort will
be required in restoring lives back to normal.
On 17 May 2008, a five-man team of the GFS comprising
pilots, aircrewman officers and an engineer arrived
in Chengdu to join the air relief force in Guanghan
Airport, some 50 km to the north of Chengdu. Since
then, the team has worked with the Ministry of
Communications rescue crews in various operations.
These included recovering survivors in mountainous
regions, transporting ground search teams to remote
sites where casualties were reported missing and
transferring supplies to casualties at the disaster
scenes.
To address the needs for reinforcing the resources
required for relief missions, a GFS Super Puma
helicopter fully equipped for search and rescue
operations was ferried to Guanghan airport through
Guilin and Guiyang on 23 May 2008. It was joined
by one of the department's fixed-wing Jetstream
41 (J41), which landed in Guanghan the same day
carrying over 900 kgs of rescue equipment and
replenishing materials needed by the helicopter.
After unloading, the J41 returned to Chek Lap
Kwok airport just before midnight the same day.
Members of the GFS team in Sichuan have been
reinforced and rotated back to Hong Kong over
recent days, so that it can remain capable and
effective in assisting the people affected by
the disaster.
Two weeks on, the number of survivors being recovered
rises day by day. As of the date of this article,
the GFS rescue team has helped in bringing over
90 casualties to safety. GFS will continue its
relief work in Sichuan.
In conclusion, it is worth quoting what was said
by one of the crewmembers during an interview
with the local press, "We have not thought of
returning to HK at this moment. Our only concern
now is how to save more people. It is our mission"
1 June 2008 |
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