Well,.. I'm sure the 'heading' of this topic should get some posts.

Let's call it an 'unofficial' ferry schedule change. Has anyone noticed how many of the ferries seems to be running to a different timetable lately, ie.. 10 minutes late on voyages?? (Not sure about 'rush hour' as I don't catch these ferries)

This has nothing to do with 'loading and unloading of cargo', nor the prats, that get to the ferry pier after the bell has finished, the turnstiles are closed, and yet they still have the audacity to go and buy a coffee at the ferry pier.

No, apparently (according to a few of the ferry staff in Central).. they have been instructed by HKKF to do this. Why? They don't know. But yes, they have been told to hold the ferries back.

Most days the I catch the 9.40am to town, and it leaves most of the time at 9.50am.

I have had many mid afternoon ferries back to Lamma. They leave from Central on time,.. then slow down on the approach to Lamma, and dock 10 minutes late

No one can give me a reason. Does anyone else know what is going on? As mentioned, staff have told me that they have been instructed to do this. But when I ask questions, they just ask me to contact the company.

Are they maybe making a point that the one dollar increase is not covering their costs so making a statement about it? Perhaps LG can approach them since he seems to have a nice relationship with them? Hey LG?

As far as I am concerned its a pretty good service and I would hate to lose it to another company. So they get my thumbs up anyway. Mind you, I haven't missed any important meetings because of the delays... Although come to think of it we did miss a couple of connections to DB because our ferry docked late in Central.

Well, I caught the 1.45pm yesterday (Sat) to Central which was not even docked at that point. So it left very late and arrived late.

Same with returning on the 4.30. The pier was crowded but the boat did not dock till after 4.30. The bell rang quite a bit after 4.30. We arrived about 5.10.

So Tigger, I agree, what is going on?

Hi Boss, as mentioned, this is no 'ordinary' summer time schedule , ie too many people and the boats leave early due to begin full. Nor cargo, nor people turning up at the ferry pier late. It has been going on for over a month.

I tend to catch ferries that are not usually the 'rush hour' ferries. The ferries are sometimes late due to cargo, tourists, etc.. but the ferries make up that extra few minutes during the voyages. But I have caught many a ferry from either side, and all is going fine, then they slow down radically a few km's from their destination. (usually when they are heading to Lamma) And we get in 10 minutes later than the should.

And two members of staff have told me that HKKF has instructed them to do this. Even on EMPTY ferries during the afternoon,... the ferry docks 10 minutes later than it should. There is no reason. And staff just agree with me, but say I have to contact head office. Of course I have contacted them. And of course no response.

Every single ferry I have caught over the past two weeks, had left Late from Lamma, .... they seem to keep the turnstiles open 5 minutes after the bells rings/turnstiles are closed, for people on the ferry pier, bascially near the end of the pier. Not rush hour people running like the clappers.... just people walking. And returning from HK, the ferry leaves on time... empty ferry.. approaches Lamma. and seriously slows down. 10 minutes late again.

LG,,, can you find out what is happening?

On a similar subject could you possibly ask the ferry company that at weekends and holidays priority could be given to Lamma residents trying to return to Lamma during busy times. Last Saturday I planned to return to Lamma after working in town on the 1 p.m. ferry and arrived at the pier at 12:45 p.m. to find that all seats were taken. It would be nice if at least 30 seats were reserved for Lamma residents until 5 mins before departure and a priority queue established at one of the turnstiles for Lamma residents whether using monthly tickets or Octopus cards. This system could easily be implemented by giving out reusable Priority cards to passengers departing from Lamma.

This just happened to me today. I am new to Lamma, having only been here a couple of months, but I hope this is not going to be too regular an occurrence.

I was hoping to take the 12 o' clock ferry back but got to the gate at 1155 and it was locked, with a full notice. It looked packed past the barrier and we got through when the ferry left at 5 past 12. Another ferry was put on, though not on the schedule, and it left at 12.30. On board I have never seen so many sick people. First, they didn't realize there were bags at the front of the boat and were sick on the floor , with one lass vomiting right in front of me (it bloody stank too), and then one kid who ran down the aisle and slipped in a huge puddle of it. Thing is, the ferry was barely bobbing up and down as the sea was very calm, yet so many were throwing up. Feel sorry for the staff that have to clean it all up.

I'm going have to time my weekend returns to Lamma differently as the scheduling and lack of seats is nuts.

Wow, that is a most unusual account, I think. In all the 12+ years of living on Lamma I've never seen anybody throw up on the ferry, as far as I remember. But I've never taken the 2:30am ferry on weekends so far....

On such a sunny, clear day with very little wind and calm seas? Definitely Lamma visitors who've rarely ever taken a ferry before?

Any similar bad experiences from our forum members?

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Glad to hear its a very uncommon event. Yes, the boat was full to capacity with tourists, an unscheduled extra sailing, and it was one of the older style boats where you enter at the back. It also took more than 40 minutes as it slowed right down in the shipping channel. I guess seeing one person throw up in the aisle and the subsequent smell set off a bit of a chain reaction, especially given everyone noticed once a kid slipped and fell in one of the first batches. Sorry, can't be more specific on contents - just unrecognizable lumps and liquids.

No photos? What a pity!

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I didnt realise the scheduled times are when the gates close and not when the ferry departs (I also complained about the annoucements which seem to be getting longer and longer...):

Thank you for your concern regarding our ferry service. Our pier staff has been instructed to close the gate based on the scheduled time. Be noted that the sailings mentioned on the timetable refers to gate-closing time instead of departure time. Normally there will be 2 to 5 minutes time difference because of cargo and passenger loading but our staff will try their best efforts to minimize the time gap. For example, leaflet about being considerate and punctual has been distributing to all late comers or even those passengers who walk slowly inside the gate as friendly reminder. We will keep monitoring the situation for smooth pier operation.

Regarding the vessel announcement, we feel sorry for your discomfort experienced. Please be understood that all the pre-recorded sounds are based on actual needs. Lifejacket donning instruction, for instance, is for safe navigation and required by regulation. Regular review will be conducted to simplify the PA system on board.

Thank you for bringing the above matters for our attention. Should you have other inquiries please feel free to contact our CS hotline at 2815 6063 or through this email.

Regards,
Eddie Cheng
for HKKF
2522 1966