Guangdong and Hainan provinces recently conducted a joint emergency search and rescue exercise in the Qiongzhou Strait. The drill, which took place on June 20, simulated a fire on a ro-ro passenger ship after it collided with a fishing boat during its voyage. The exercise aimed to test the coordination and response capabilities of the maritime search and rescue teams in the region.
The Maritime Search and Rescue Centers of Zhanjiang and Haikou organized and coordinated the efforts of all parties involved in the drill. The exercise involved a “sea and air three-dimensional” joint rescue operation. At 10 am, the drill officially began with the sound of an accident alarm signal. The simulated ro-ro passenger ship, named “Haixia No. 8,” collided with the fishing boat “Yuexuyu No. 2,” resulting in a short circuit of a car battery on the ship’s deck and causing a fire.
Due to the intensity of the fire, the ship was unable to extinguish it on its own. Additionally, the collision and fire caused the ro-ro passenger ship to lose control, leading to the bow running aground and posing a risk of capsizing. The safety of the 500 passengers and 60 crew members on board was in jeopardy, necessitating a large-scale personnel transfer. Furthermore, three individuals on the fishing boat fell into the water and required urgent rescue.
In response to the emergency, the ro-ro passenger ship activated an alarm signal while conducting self-rescue operations. The Xuwen County Maritime Search and Rescue Center promptly launched a plan and directed ships to shallow waters for emergency response. A total of 15 boats, one professional rescue helicopter, and one ambulance were deployed during the drill.
The exercise showcased the seamless coordination and quick response of all departments involved. The rescue forces provided strong support, and each unit demonstrated improved specialization in dealing with maritime emergencies. The drill served to enhance the operational capabilities of emergency search and rescue operations across the Qiongzhou Strait and improve the ability to conduct large-scale personnel transfers on ro-ro passenger ships.
Li Siqiang, the executive deputy director of the Zhanjiang Maritime Search and Rescue Center and director of the Zhanjiang Maritime Safety Administration, emphasized the importance of water traffic safety in the Qiongzhou Strait. The strait experiences heavy water transport traffic, with numerous large ships, frequent voyages, and high passenger traffic. The collision risk between commercial and fishing vessels is also significant. As a result, the Qiongzhou Strait is considered a national key regulatory area.
The successful completion of this comprehensive sea emergency search and rescue drill highlights the commitment of Guangdong and Hainan provinces to ensuring the safety of water traffic in the region. The exercise not only tested the capabilities of the search and rescue teams but also raised awareness among stakeholders about the importance of maritime safety.
marine search and rescue
Bers on board was in immediate danger.
Upon receiving the distress call, the Maritime Search and Rescue Centers of Zhanjiang and Haikou swiftly mobilized their resources and activated a joint emergency response. The aim of the exercise was to test the coordination and response capabilities of the maritime search and rescue teams in the Guangdong and Hainan provinces.
The drill simulated a scenario where a ro-ro passenger ship, named “Haixia No. 8,” collided with a fishing boat named “Yuexuyu No. 2” in the Qiongzhou Strait. This collision caused a short circuit of a car battery on the ship’s deck, leading to a fire. The intensity of the fire rendered the ship unable to extinguish it on its own.
Furthermore, the collision and subsequent fire caused the ro-ro passenger ship to lose control and run aground, posing a risk of capsizing. The safety of the 500 passengers and 60 crew members on board was deemed to be in immediate danger.
The joint rescue operation involved a “sea and air three-dimensional” approach, coordinating the efforts of various maritime search and rescue teams. The exercise commenced at 10 am with the sound of an accident alarm signal.
The collaboration between the Maritime Search and Rescue Centers of Zhanjiang and Haikou was crucial in organizing and coordinating the efforts of all parties involved in the drill. Their swift response and effective coordination were aimed at testing the capabilities of the maritime search and rescue teams in the region.
This joint emergency search and rescue exercise in the Qiongzhou Strait aimed to test the coordination and response capabilities of the maritime search and rescue teams in the Guangdong and Hainan provinces. The exercise simulated a fire on a ro-ro passenger ship after it collided with a fishing boat during its voyage. The use of a “sea and air three-dimensional” joint rescue operation added to the realism of the drill.
Overall, the exercise served as a valuable opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of the maritime search and rescue teams in the region and enhance their coordination and response capabilities in handling similar emergency situations in the future.
