1.1 The search and rescue service in Hong Kong is provided by the Civil Aviation Department and is responsible for all civil and military aircraft in the area within which Hong Kong provides Air Traffic Services.

1.2 The search and rescue service is provided in accordance with the Standards, Recommended Practices and, when applicable, the procedures contained in the following ICAO documents:

1.3 A Rescue Co-ordination Centre (RCC) is established to provide a H24 search and rescue service in Hong Kong.

1.4 When SAR operations are required, qualified personnel are deployed through the Air Traffic Control Centre. All enquiries and initial communication on SAR matters, including Cospas-Sarsat data, should be addressed to the ATC Watch Manager, Hong Kong Air Traffic Control Centre, at:

2.1 Search and rescue service is provided within the Hong Kong FIR. 

3.1 Within the territorial limits of Hong Kong, locally based helicopters and light aircraft are deployed in co-operation with craft and personnel from other departments of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. For long-range SAR actions over the high seas, assistance is provided by units from adjacent search and rescue centres.

3.2 Various elements of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the armed forces are available for SAR missions when required. The aeronautical, maritime and public telecommunication services are available to the SAR organisation.

3.3 SEARCH AND RESCUE FACILITIES

4.1 No formal Facilitation of Entry Agreement exists between the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and adjacent States, however, facilitation of entry for SAR purposes is co-ordinated on the inter-area speech circuits with neighbouring rescue co-ordination centres and air traffic control centres.

5.1 Although specific SAR aircraft and surface vessels are not immediately available in Hong Kong, other organisations will, on request, provide assistance and specialised SAR aircraft, equipment and personnel for the conduct of air and sea searches.

6.1 PROCEDURES AND SIGNALS USED BY AIRCRAFT

6.1.1 Procedures for pilots-in-command observing an accident or intercepting a distress call and/or message are outlined in Chapter 5, Annex 12 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation.

6.1.2 The provision of meteorological information to RCC and SAR aircraft is detailed in Chapter 10, Annex 3 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation.

6.2 COMMUNICATIONS

6.2.1 Transmission and reception of distress messages is handled in accordance with paragraph 5.3, Chapter 5, Volume II of Annex 10 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation.

6.2.2 For communications during search and rescue operations, the abbreviations and codes published in ICAO Abbreviations and Codes (DOC 8400) are used.

6.2.3 ATS units guard the international distress frequency 121.5 MHZ continuously. Coast Station (VPS) operates H24 and guards international maritime distress frequencies.

6.2.4 The call sign of SAR aircraft will normally be the pilot's personal call sign or aircraft registration preceded by “Rescue”. The call sign of Hong Kong RCC is “Hong Kong Rescue”.

6.3 SEARCH AND RESCUE SIGNALS

6.3.1 The search and rescue signals to be used are those prescribed in the Appendix of Annex 12.