Marine Department chiefs face raps over Lamma IVBeatrice Siu
HK Standard, Friday, April 25, 2014
The Marine Department's "highest management level," another directorate officer and 11 non-directorate staff should face disciplinary action in the aftermath of the Lamma IV sinking that killed 39 people in October 2012, a government investigation report says.
Secretary for Transport and Housing Anthony Cheung Bing-leung declined to reveal if now-retired director of marine Francis Liu Hon-por was one of the two directorate staff involved.
"We worried that revealing all the details will affect the criminal investigation of the police, and affect witnesses in providing evidence. This may lead to the risk of failure," Cheung said, adding that he has a clear conscience.
The Transport and Housing Bureau's investigation team also recommended disciplinary proceedings against seven of them and warnings for six others.
The bureau has provided the full report to the police's criminal investigation, said Cheung said.
He unveiled the investigation report after he briefed family members of the victims yesterday.
"On the basis of prima facie evidence available, the investigation team has concluded that a total of 17 officers - 13 serving and four retired officers - are alleged to have misconducted themselves while discharging their duties in respect to Lamma IV in the past," Cheung said. Those facing formal disciplinary action could receive a reprimand or be dismissed.
Among the 13 officers, the team has recommended that consideration be given to instituting formal disciplinary proceedings against seven of them and summary disciplinary action in the form of warnings against the remaining six, he said.
The 430-page report looked into the responsibilities and roles of individual Marine Department officers in handling the case of the ferry that sank off Lamma, and recommendations on disciplinary action.
But the government publicized only a report summary, concerned that full disclosure could affect criminal proceedings against officers involved.
The team pointed out in the report that there are problems and deficiencies in the prevailing system and practices of the Marine Department.
"The management culture is such that many officers leave it to their subordinates to report when problems arise and assume that all is well when no such reports are received," said a bureau paper to be discussed at the Legislative Council Panel on Economic Development on Monday.
The team is also conducting a separate investigation on non-compliance with life-saving appliances of other Class 1 and 2 vessels.