Thirty people received commendations on Tuesday for rescuing lives in Hong Kong waters last year.

People commended include 17 police officers, four crew members from the Star Ferry Co. Ltd, eight civilians, and a staff member of the Fortune Ferry Company Ltd.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Director of Marine of Hong Kong Roger Tupper said that the Marine Department, the Marine Police and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of Hong Kong jointly organized a Safety Afloat campaign launching a series of educational seminars and publicity activities last year which achieved remarkable success.

This year, the Marine Department will continue to partner with these two departments to launch the Safety Afloat 2008 campaign. A series of educational seminars and publicity activities are arranged as in last year.

In order to further enhance public awareness and promote marine safety messages, the relevant TV/radio Announcement of Public Interest will be broadcast in the water sports high season this year.

Tupper said that the measures taken by the department will enhance marine safety in the years ahead, and Hong Kong will continue to be one of the safest and most efficient ports in the world and provide a safe environment for marine leisure activities.

(Xinhua News Agency, March 5, 2008)