Marine Police commission new vessels to enhance enforcement capabilities

     Police Marine Region introduced 11 new vessels during a ceremony held at Joss House Bay, Sai Kung today (June 18) to replace decommissioned vessels, which will enhance Marine Region’s capabilities in sea rescue and law enforcement as well as maintaining safety and law and order within Hong Kong waters.

     The newly commissioned vessels are comprised of eight Multi-Mission Interceptors, which are able to attain speeds of more than 100 kilometres per hour; two amphibious hovercraft, the first to be introduced to any disciplinary force in Hong Kong which are fit for operation in the shallow waters and mudflats of Deep Bay; and a High Speed Training Boat tailor-made for internal training purpose.

     Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Tang Ping-keung, noted that the Fleet Replacement Programme marked the Region’s largest ever launch replacement project. Together with the 11 vessels commissioned today, a total of 124 launches and small support craft will be put into service in the coming few years under the programme. These will help the Marine Police in tackling future policing challenges over the next two decades.

     Mr Tang praised the Region for remaining steadfast in their duties of detecting smuggling activities and in arresting illegal immigrants. He believed that the new vessels would strengthen the Region’s capability of ensuring the safety and integrity of Hong Kong’s sea boundary.