The Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department (HKCAD)’s Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) 2023 (short-range and long-range) was successfully conducted from 29th to 30th November 2023 in Hong Kong water area. As the sole Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSP) in Macau and invited by HKCAD, Macau International Airport Company Limited (CAM) sent a representative to attend as an observer.

The SAREX was divided into two parts, including a short-range search and rescue exercise conducted in Port Shelter of Sai Kung Hong Kong on 29th November and a long-range search and rescue exercise conducted in the South China Sea, at about 50 nautical miles east of Hong Kong on 30th November. The exercises involved a number of Hong Kong government departments as well as multiple search and rescue units, including the HKCAD, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison (the Hong Kong Garrison), the Government Flying Service (GFS), the Hong Kong Police, the Fire Services Department, the Marine Department, the Civil Aid Service, the Auxiliary Medical Service, the Hong Kong Observatory, the Nanhai Rescue Bureau of the Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China, and the Guangdong Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre. With the full cooperation of all parties, the search and rescue exercise was successfully completed. As an observer to participate in this exercises, CAM representative is allowed to gain deeper understanding on the coordination and technical tasks among air traffic controllers, air crew and other related search and rescue units, so as to enhance the capability of search and rescue response in the event of an emergency.

Ms. Pricilla Cheong, Advisor to Head of ATS Division of Operations Branch of Airport Operations Department (AOD) of CAM represented to participate the exercise.