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Jet skis drafted in to boost Hong Kong police marine search and rescue capabilities

  • Two jet skis have been hired and deployed to Sai Kung for evaluation by marine police officers
  • Officers say small and manoeuvrable machines will give police close-to-shore and beaching capabilities

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One of two jet skis under trial by police to boost close-to-shore and beach rescue capabilities. Photo: Yik Yeung-man
Hong Kong’s marine police have for the first time deployed two jet skis to boost their search and rescue capabilities in shallow water amid a surge in incidents.

The two new jet skis, a pilot scheme to be based in Sai Kung, will be used for rescue missions. Officers praised the small and manoeuvrable machines for their ability to move close to the shore faster.

“At the moment, we do have some shallow water craft, but they’re still limited by the [shore],” Kezia Tsang Kit-ying, the assistant divisional commander of the marine east division, said on Tuesday.

“We do lack the ability to beach, and that is a gap in operation we have to address. With these two jet skis, hopefully we can reach the scene quicker and be more efficient in rescues.”

A police jet ski search and rescue exercise carried out to showcase the small and fast craft’s capabilities. Photo: Yik Yeung-man
A police jet ski search and rescue exercise carried out to showcase the small and fast craft’s capabilities. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

The rented machines, crewed by two police officers, have room for three people on board and a casualty can be towed on a special float board to a supporting speedboat further offshore.

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