Over a decade after Hong Kong’s tragic 2012 ferry collision, the Coroner’s Court has reopened the investigation into the incident involving the Lamma IV and Sea Smooth ferries. Survivors and victims’ families have pushed for this inquiry to assign blame and support their civil suit efforts. The court conducted 44 days of hearings, hearing from 84 witnesses, and has begun releasing its findings, aiming to clarify responsibility and address design concerns, despite lacking legal authority to impose charges.
The Lamma IV, chartered by Hong Kong Electric for a National Day event, sank within two minutes after colliding with the Sea Smooth, which remained afloat. The disaster resulted in 39 fatalities, including eight children, and left 92 others injured. Coroner Monica Chow Wai-cho emphasized critical issues regarding ferry design and regulation, noting a “litany of errors” in previous investigations. A significant point of contention was the absence of a watertight door on the Lamma IV, which experts suggested could have prolonged its buoyancy.
The coroner concluded that the vessels met safety standards of their time and characterized the omission of the watertight door as a “rational design decision.” Families expressed disappointment, alleging ongoing cover-ups regarding design flaws. The government, while monitoring the verdict’s progress, reminded that both vessel captains faced prosecution, with the Sea Smooth captain convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to eight years, while the Lamma IV captain received a nine-month sentence for endangerment.
Additionally, the inquiry examined the frequency of inspections by the Marine Department, revealing past misconduct that resulted in criminal convictions for some officials. The families, still dissatisfied with the findings, are contemplating their next steps as the government claims it has implemented recommendations to enhance maritime safety following the tragedy.
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