Prior to a Marine Police launch entering active service, the vessel must be commissioned. These pictures are from commissioning ceremonies held between 1992 and 1994 for launches entering service into the Royal Hong Kong Police.
All ceremonies were held in Joss House Bay, with the launch that was being commissioned facing the Tin Hau Temple. During the ceremony, a commissioning officer would make offerings and ask for good luck from Tin Hau. On alters, set up at the bows, joss sticks were lit, roasted pigs were sacrificed, and prayers were offered.
Once this had been done the newly commissioned launch would perform a figure of eight around the bay to bring more good luck and to rid the vessel of any lingering evil spirits. The Hong Kong Marine Police today still follow this custom.
Toward the end of the ceremony the commander of the launch would be presented with a commissioning pendant, which would be flown during further ceremonies his launch took part.
