Former crew member neglected to review safety information related to the sunken Hong Kong ferry, court reveals
On the Trails of Tragic Maritime History
Cheung Chuen-yau's comments echoed at the Coroner's Court, marking the fourth day of an anticipated 60-day inquiry into the 2012 maritime disaster that claimed the lives of 39 souls. This catastrophe stirs up memories of other devastating maritime disasters that have left indelible marks in history.
Cheung, a former employee of Cheoy Lee Shipyards, was entrusted with ensuring the Lamma IV's damage stability was correctly measured before seeking Marine Department approval for modifications in 1998 and 2005. However, when quizzed, he admitted his reliance on his junior colleagues, who used software he was uncertain about. Remarkably, he claimed ignorance of the ship's layout plans, especially the controversial bulkhead surrounding two lower decks' compartments.
The Lamma IV was damaged by the Sea Smooth passenger ferry in the waters near Lamma Island on October 1, 2012, as it ferried 124 HK Electric employees and their families to watch the National Day fireworks over Victoria Harbour[2].
Historically, there have been dreadful maritime incidents that take the macabre crown of "deadliest" maritime disaster. Here are some of the most noteworthy:
- MV Doña Paz: Sinking on December 20, 1987, this Filipino-registered ferry collided with an oil tanker, ultimately engulfing in flames, making it one of the deadliest peacetime maritime disasters ever recorded[3].
- MV Wilhelm Gustloff: A German passenger liner that met its end on January 30, 1945, following a torpedo strike by a Soviet submarine. The casualties were approximately 9,000 people[3].
- MV Goya: Another German transport ship, torpedoed by a Soviet submarine on April 16, 1945, with estimated fatalities between 6,000 and 7,000[3].
- RMS Titanic: Known worldwide for its doomed maiden voyage, the British passenger liner sank on April 15, 1912, taking over 1,500 lives after colliding with an iceberg[1].
- MV Le Joola: A Senegalese ferry that capsized off the coast of Gambia on September 26, 2002, resulting in the death of at least 1,863[3].
- MV Sewol: A South Korean ferry that capsized on April 16, 2014, causing 304 fatalities[3].
- Lamma IV: A Hong Kong ferry that suffered a collision with another vessel and sank on October 1, 2012, causing 39 deaths[2].
- MV Sultana: An American steamboat that exploded and sank on the Mississippi River on April 27, 1865, with estimated casualties between 1,800 and 2,400[3].
- SS Central America: An American steamship that sank in a hurricane off the coast of South Carolina on September 11, 1857, causing an estimated 428 fatalities[3].
- SS Morro Castle: A cruise ship that caught fire off New Jersey on September 8, 1934, resulting in 135 fatalities[1].
The Lamma IV disaster, although significant, does not rank among the deadliest maritime disasters, yet it holds significance for the impact it caused in Hong Kong. The ongoing investigation provides a glimpse into the complex machine of maritime safety and the consequences of overlooked details.
- The Lamma IV disaster, despite not being one of the deadliest maritime disasters, holds significant importance for the impact it had on Hong Kong.
- Cheung Chuen-yau's comments in the Coroner's Court revolve around his role in ensuring the Lamma IV's damage stability, a position he held during modifications in 1998 and 2005.
- In the maritime industry, finance, transportation, and the automotive sectors often require precise calculations and stringent safety measures, as seen in the case of the Lamma IV.
- The general-news media has been covering the ongoing investigation into the Lamma IV disaster, providing updates on the inquiry's proceedings and the potential implications for maritime safety.
- Crime-and-justice issues may also arise when assessing the responsibility for accidents like the Lamma IV disaster, particularly if it's discovered that safety regulations were not followed or corners were cut.
