FIRST FERRY III

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Crew of speed ferry may have underestimated size of barge before collision

The crew of the "First Ferry III" which on Apr 5 collided with a barge in thick fog, leaving 39 people injured, did see a vessel on its radar but was believed to have underestimated its length. The barge was said to have been travelling slowly and was being towed by a tug when it was hit by the high-speed ferry north of Cheung Chau. The Marine Department believed the barge had been loaded with soil for dumping and was being towed from Kellett Anchorage No. 2 towards a dumping ground south of Cheung Chau. According to New World First Ferry Services, whose ferry was taking dozens of people from Central to Cheung Chau when the accident occurred at about 9.30 p.m., the ferry captain had reported seeing a vessel on radar and tried to avoid it. It is not clear if he slowed down or tried to steer around it. The captain has been with the company since it began in 2000 and has many years' experience in sailing fast ferries from Central to Cheung Chau and Mui Wo. Meanwhile the condition of three of the injured who were initially said to be in serious state, has improved to stable. A further 16 remained in stable condition; the remainder were discharged from hospital. The Marine Department, which was broadcasting alerts about poor visibility throughout the night of Apr 6, and the police have launched an investigation. The collision happened in a narrow channel frequented by many vessels, including high-speed boats to Macau and barges to the mainland, where barges have to make a 90-degree turn north near Shek Kwu Chau. Then they have to sail between Lantau and Cheung Chau. As the towlines would not show up on radar the only thing skippers could do when they have difficulty pinning down objects would be to sail at the slowest speed.

More than 30 passengers injured in collision

More than 30 people were injured when the "First Ferry III" collided with a barge in waters south of Hei Ling Chau as it approached Cheung Chau on Apr 5, 2013, at 9.30 p.m. The "First Ferry III" had left Central at 9 p.m. and headed for Cheung Chau. At least three passengers on the ferry sailing from Central to the island were seriously injured. At least one of the injured was late last night being returned to the city for treatment. Most injured passengers sustained minor injuries. Passengers in the front rows were thrown from their seats and down the stairs. Some were bleeding from injuries to their mouths and necks. There might have been water coming into a compartment, but a watertight door worked. The captain had asked passengers to put on their life jackets after the collision, she said. Pictures circulating online showed passengers wearing life jackets as they sat in the ferry waiting to be rescued. Report with photos: http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1208150/thirty-injured-cheung-chau-ferry-collides-fog