ilanmangi wrote:
It's not a mystery to me how this happened. HKKF Lamma ferry crashed into another ferry without slowing or turning...it's a no brainer!!! The captain was not watching...15 or 20 seconds is all it takes
Some changes that should happen immediately: take all o the crew out of the cockpit when the ferry is seaborne and replace the windows so ppl can exit from them when or if this happens again.
I don't think it is such a "no brainer", and I am also quite sure that a portion of the blame will be assigned to EACH skipper. For a couple of reasons;
You don't know if the other ferry slowed or changed course either. (maybe they werent going to hit, and something happened at the last minute and the other vessel crossed the HKKF path).
Also, here in HK I have seen cargo boats, ferries, every type of traffic except internationally flagged cargo ships, challenging each other for right of way at full speed. What I mean is that when two vessels are on a converging course, neither will change course (even though it is clear which one has rights) until they are much too close for safety, then the one that should have changed course does. In all the instances I have seen that is.
Without having witnessed the accident myself I think this is the most likely cause of the accident. This culture of carelessness where the operators of these big boats hold course, at full speed, until the last second.
International COLREGS (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972, an internationally recognized by treaty to govern all vessels on coastal or high seas, inland waters, like HK may have SLIGHTLY different rules, but the ones I cite here WON"T be different ANYWHERE with rule of law) specify that;
Any vessel must "proceed at a safe speed at which she can to take action to avoid collision and be able to stop within a distance suitable to the prevailing conditions". These conditions include, among other things, traffic density. ie when there are more boats, or boats close to you you must slow down.
Actions taken to avoid collision must be: "obvious" and "taken in good time". I haven't witnessed a ferry doing either! not once!
That means that in my above example - BOTH BOATS ARE WRONG. If the other boat must give way to you, and you keep full speed until such a moment that you cannot avoid collision unless the other guy turns, then the blame ALSO lies with you. This is the situation I see over and over here in HK. My bets are on that this will be found to be a major contributor to this accident.
All vessels must also keep a watch out by "all available means" including radar, and AIS even if daylight or clear visibility. This requirement is clear, pleasure boat operators will argue all day about it, but any professional mariner knows this is required. I have heard (though find it hard to believe) the HKE boat was dark at the time. Radar would have made her much more visible. Many boats in HK equipped with Radar do not use it unless in restricted visibility, I watch. Last nite the Cheng Chau ferry, and the ferry to Lamma WHERE NOT USING THEIR RADAR AFTER DARK.
The AIS system I can look at online, and only a few of the boats present show on this system, which means most boats either don't have it or it is turned off. AIS broadcasts information which includes GPS course and speed over VHF radio so as to display traffic near you on your electronic charts. It was required by SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea, international treaty) that vessels of this type be equipped with AIS as of 2003. As of 2007 SOLAS and the MARDEP of HK required annual testing of each ships AIS system by a certified Marine Engineer.
http://www.mardep.gov.hk/en/msnote/pdf/msin0745.pdf
pretty obviously NOT BEING DONE!
Until this culture of carelessness, and enforcement of regulations is addressed, HK will remain a very dangerous place to travel on the water. This is were ppl should direct their efforts and anger, IF they really want to see some change.