An annual oil-spill response joint exercise off Ha Mei Wan, Lamma Island, this morning tested responses in combating oil pollution in Hong Kong waters.

Response groups contained the mock oil-spill situation of an oil tanker anchored near Ha Mei Wan leaking fuel oil from its 5,000-tonne cargo tank. Such a spill would pose threats to the nearby power station's cooling water intakes, bathing beaches and the green turtle nesting site on the island's south side at Sham Wan.

In the wake of the "spillage", oil combat teams set up a ring of floating barrier booms around the tanker while salvage teams transferred the fuel and patched up the leakage. A second defence line of barrier booms was also rigged up to prevent the spill from spreading. The exercise demonstrated the spraying of oil dispersant from pollution-control vessels and a Government Flying Service helicopter onto the sea, as well as the recovery of booms and equipment.

Apart from today's on-scene exercise, last week government departments tested a simulation on crisis management and communication to refresh common understanding of the command and communication system when handling a major oil spill. 

The Marine Department co-ordinated the exercise under the Maritime Oil Spill Response Plan in which the Civil Aid Service, Auxiliary Medical Service, Police and Government Flying Service, as well as oil companies, also participated.