Email to HKKF, Marine Dept., Transport Dept., Lamma.com.hk,

"Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to complain of the negligent seamanship witnessed aboard the 8pm HK & Kowloon ferry heading to Yung Shue Wan, Lamma Island on Wednesday, 11th February.

As the captain pulled away from the side of the pier, passengers heard loud crunching, cracking sounds and felt the ferry jolt and shudder: the ferryman operating the door had somehow not had sufficient time to bring up the gangway from its lowered position so it was badly damaged. In fact, the door could not be shut fully and sat ajar and bent out of shape.

No reassurances or explanations were provided to passengers at any time. Furthermore, instead of putting passengers on another ferry, the door was simply pulled up as far as it would go and tied fast with rope to the interior of the vessel - with the door still partly open and bent out of shape. The captain promptly continued with the journey to the Yung Shue Wan Lamma Island ferry pier as if nothing had happened.

Surely this is unacceptable? Having experienced previous negligences from this ferry company over our many years as passengers - culminating with substantial loss of life in the recent National Day ferry disaster, many of us are understandably nervous about our safety on HKKF vessels.

I attach photos I took of the damaged gangway. Please advise of action to be taken against HKKF company to ensure passenger safety in such circumstances in the future.

I look forward to receiving an initial reply outlining more effective safety controls by mid-March at the latest.

Yours faithfully,

Louise Eastwell
- Lamma resident of 20 years"

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I was aboard that ferry and had no safety concerns about the damage. I was glad that the captain made no fuss and proceeded to deliver us safely home without delay. The gangplank was torn from its hinges but this superficial damage did not affect the seaworthiness of the boat. The reaction of the letter writers seems slightly hysterical and unnecessary to me, in this case.