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After the vessel collision incident near Lamma Island on October 1, the Marine Department immediately strengthened various measures to enhance maritime safety.
The Assistant Director of Marine (Shipping), Mr P C So, today (October 11) held a meeting with representatives of ferry and launch companies, requesting the companies to adopt immediate feasible measures to ensure the provision of adequate life-saving appliances on board and enhance safety management. Participants at the meeting also set up a working group to study how to raise vessel safety standards, including the requirements for personnel and safety equipment.
Mr So pointed out that the Marine Department is deeply concerned about the vessel collision off Lamma Island on October 1 and its staff are saddened by the tragedy. He also said the Marine Department and the industry agree unanimously that they must take maritime safety very seriously, and improve and enhance safety measures as soon as possible.
He expects the industry to support and co-operate with the statutory independent Commission of Inquiry and the investigation being led by the Assistant Director of Marine.
Mr So noted that the Marine Department will continue its spot-checking of local vessels, in particular checking the life-saving appliances and their placement on board. If equipment is found to be defective during an inspection, the Marine Department will follow up and the shipping company will be required to make improvements as soon as possible.
As of October 10, the Marine Department has inspected 14 ferries and 84 launches, kaitos and pleasure vessels for hire. Eighteen warnings have been given. Most of these warnings were related to the placement of life-saving appliances. In addition, the Marine Department has issued letters to the ferry, launch and kaito operating companies, reminding them that vessels must comply with safety requirements and that life-saving appliances on board should be equipped adequately and properly placed.
He added that the number of marine traffic accidents relating to collisions in 2011 was 203. The overall figure included many minor incidents or incidents not caused by human factors, such as accidents that occurred in times of typhoons or collisions that occurred when vessels were berthing. Of the 203 cases, there were only 13 cases related to collisions of ferries, launches and kaitos, causing three injuries and no deaths. Between 2007 and 2010, the figures for incidents relating to collisions of ferries, launches and kaitos were 10 or below annually. Compared to the movements of local vessels in the port and over 400,000 vessel trips arriving and departing from Hong Kong waters in the year, the accident rate has been relatively low. The Marine Department will continue to strive to do its best to maintain navigational safety in Hong Kong.
Furthermore, the Marine Department will convene a Local Vessels Advisory Committee on October 26, and will discuss with the industry feasible measures to enhance vessel safety and navigational safety.
The Marine Department will also organise seminars for operating companies of launches, ferries and kaitos, and for representatives of the outlying islands, to promote the safety of passenger vessels. The seminars will cover navigational safety, emergency response, and analysis of the causes of accidents in the past and the application of life-saving appliances.
The department will also publish pamphlets and produce Announcements in the Public Interest to promote safety awareness.
Ends/Thursday, October 11, 2012
Issued at HKT 20:21
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