The Marine Department of Hong Kong have strengthened measures to increase maritime safety following the region’s October 1 tragic vessel collision near Lamma Island that left 40 people dead.
Mr. P C So, the Assistant Director of Marine Shipping, has today held a conference with representatives of ferry companies and boat charters encouraging them to adopt additional safety measures immediately in an attempt to prevent a repeat of the Lamma Island tragedy. Mr. So recommended measures that are easy to implement, such as adequate life-saving equipment on board all ships, good protocols in the case of an emergency and enhanced safety management. In addition, the marine department has formed a working group to assist in improving vessel safety through regulations on personnel requirements and safety equipment.
The Marine Department is greatly concerned about the Lamma Island collision, for which an adequate cause has not yet been found. In response, the department is committed to ensuring that adequate safety measures are implemented and enforced on vessels immediately, and will be working in close collaboration with law enforcement officials on this matter. Spot checks on all local vessels will be implemented, in which regulatory officials will be checking whether there are sufficient life-saving devices that are easily accessible. If any equipment or devices are found to be defective, the owner of the vessel will be issues with a time limit in which to correct the defiency, after which they will be fined.
Mr. So has urged the maritime community to fully support and co-operate with the independent Commission on Inquiry in to the incident, as well as the ongoing investigation being conducted by the Assistant Director of Marine.
According to maritime statistics, the total number of marine traffic accidents in the Hong Kong region in 2011 was 203 collisions. Included in this figure were a number of minor incidents in which human error did not play a role, such as accidents occurring due to adverse weather conditions, or collisions with the pier as vessels were coming in to berth. Of the total marine incidents, there were only 13 cases related to ferried, with no fatalities in any of these incidents. Considering the high rate of maritime traffic, with more than 400 000 vessels entering and leaving the Hong Kong port last year, this accident rate remains relatively low.
The Marine Department is also convening a local Vessels Advisory Committee later in the month, which will serve to give recommendations to local vessels about improving vessel safety and navigation.
