Visit to Sai Wan Ho Fire Station and Ambulance Depot

Free Admission

The fireboat Alexander Grantham went into service in 1953. Before being decommissioned in 2002, it served as the flagship of the Hong Kong Fire Services Department's fireboat team, responding to fire alarms and conducting rescue operations both in Hong Kong's waters and along the shoreline. The Alexander Grantham was built by Hong Kong & Whampoa Dock Co. Ltd. and, as well as an enduring witness to the history of Hong Kong's sea rescue services, it is also a testament to the achievements of Hong Kong shipbuilding in the 1950s.

Given the profound historical significance of the Alexander Grantham, the Hong Kong Museum of History acquired the fireboat for its collections, refitting it into the purpose-built Fireboat Alexander Grantham Exhibition Gallery and opening it to the public in 2007. At a gallery area of 1,200 square metres, a number of unique firefighting artefacts has been showcased, offering a wealth of information displayed in multimedia formats to enhance the visitors' understanding of marine rescue work in Hong Kong.

Information for Group Visitors     Cultural Highlights of Island East

• Monday, Wednesday to Sunday: 10am - 6pm
  Christmas Eve and Chinese New Year's Eve: 10am - 5pm
  Closed on Tuesdays (except public holidays), and the first two days of the Chinese New Year
   

• The Fireboat Alexander Grantham Exhibition Gallery is located in the Quarry Bay Park, Hong Kong.

• Take Exit E of Tai Koo MTR Station, walk through City Plaza and then cross the footbridge to the Quarry Bay Park for about 10 minutes.

• Take Exit A of Sai Wan Ho MTR Station and then head west via the Hong Kong Film Archive to the Quarry Bay Park for about 10 minutes.

• Take any bus that runs via Lei King Road (2A, 2X, 77, 99, 110, 722). Get off opposite Lei King Wan Leisure Area and walk westwards for around 5 minutes, going past the Hong Kong Film Archive to the Quarry Bay Park.

Currently, barrier-free facilities and services provided at the Fireboat Alexander Grantham Exhibition Gallery are:
 

* A barrier-free ramp at the main entrance and behind the Gallery

* Braille and tactile map at the main entrance, and tactile guide path
   at the main entrance and handrails

* Non-slip nosing and tactile warning strips at landing on both top and bottom
   ends of the staircase of the exhibition area

* Audio and visual signals of the emergency alarm system

* The exhibition area and upper deck of the fireboat are accessible via ramp
 

Access Officer
 

You are welcome to contact Ms Joanne Chan, the Assistant Curator II (Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum) of the Fireboat Alexander Grantham Exhibition Gallery at 3580 6778 during office hours (9:15am to 1pm & 2pm to 6pm on Mon to Fri) or call the Duty Officer at 2367 7821 during non-office hours.

Special Guided Tours by Retired Firefighters who Used to Work On-board

Every Saturday at 2:00pm & 4:00pm, the Exhibition Gallery offers Cantonese guided tours conducted by retired firefighters who used to work on the fireboat. The docents will share with visitors highlights of their work on the boat. Each tour lasts about 1 hour and admits 20 persons on a first come, first served basis.

General Guided Tours

Every Sunday and Public Holidays 2:30pm & 4:00pm.Each tour lasts about 1 hour and admits 20 persons, first come, first served.

The following organisations can apply for free guided tours by completing the application form:

1. registered kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools, post-secondary institutions, universities and charitable or non-profit-making organisations in a group of 20 visitors or more; and
    
2. registered schools and charitable or non-profit-making organisations serving people with disabilities or the elderly in a group of 10 visitors or more.

Guided tour service is provided every day, except Tuesday. The Exhibition Gallery will be open on Tuesday when it falls on a public holiday, during which free guided tour service will also be offered. Each tour lasts about 1 hour. 
 

Form Download: Group Visit and Guided Tour Application Form (PDF file)

(2 sessions per month)

Location Map      Highlight Exhibits

1. Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or above: The Exhibition Gallery will be closed. It will remain closed if the signal is lowered less than 2 hours before the normal closing time.
    
2. Black Rainstorm Warning Signal: If the Signal is issued during normal opening hours, the Exhibition Gallery will remain open. If the Signal is issued before the opening hour, the Exhibition Gallery will be closed until the Signal is cancelled. If the Signal is cancelled less than 2 hours before the normal closing time, the Exhibition Gallery will remain closed.
    
3. Pre-booked visits and family programmes for kindergarten, primary school, special school, child centre, elderly centre and similar organisations along the lines will be cancelled when:
   
   1. Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No.3 or above is hoisted within 3 hours prior to the programme; or
   
   2. Red/Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is issued.
    
4. Other programmes such as Public / Special Guided Tours will be cancelled when:
   
   1. Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No.8 or above is hoisted within 3 hours prior to the programme; or
   
   2. Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is issued.
    
5. Programmes already in progress: When Red/Black Rainstorm Warning Signal or Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No.3 is issued, those indoor programmes in progress will continue, while outdoor programmes will be cancelled immediately.