With the approach of summer and the increasing popularity of water sports, Marine East Division (MEDIV) hosted its annual Sai Kung Sea Safety Day on April 28.

Acting Commander of Marine Region Tsui Wai-hung, Marine Outer Waters District Commander Bradley Wright, MEDIV Commander Justin Shave and Chairman of the Sai Kung District Fight Crime Committee Mr Chan Kuen-kwan declared the event open before 200-plus guests from local community groups and water sports associations. Mr Shave outlined the enforcement priorities of MEDIV and a series of publicity events to raise public awareness concerning sea safety.

One of the highlights of the event was a rescue demonstration by the Divisional Fast Patrol Craft of MEDIV about saving some people who had fallen overboard because of a simulated vessel capsize. They then solicited the help of the Government Flying Service (GFS) to send the more seriously injured casualties to hospital by a helicopter. In addition to demonstrating the state-of-the-art rescue equipment and the resilience of marine police officers, the exercise showed the co-operation between the Force and other government departments.

The Fire Services Department (FSD) was invited to arrange a guided tour of its fireboat "Excellence" for visitors. The Police Dog Unit (PDU) supported the event by staging a demonstration of police dogs in drug detection. MEDIV reinforced the message of curbing drug abuse on pleasure vessels under Operation BELLHANGER, which has recently been extended to Marine Harbour Division.

To coincide with the theme of multi-sectoral collaboration for the Sea Safety Day this year, MEDIV officers disseminated the message of marine safety in conjunction with Junior Police Call and Senior Police Call (SPC) members of Wong Tai Sin District and Kwun Tong District along the coastline of Clear Water Bay and Sai Kung. A number of government departments set up booths to distribute sea safety-related brochures to visitors.