Scare at sea: 115 Hong Kong ferry passengers forced to evacuate as vessel takes on water off Lamma
Almost 120 passengers and crew had to be evacuated from a ferry on Lamma Island after it was discovered to be taking on water during its journey from Cheung Chau to Aberdeen.
Crew of the two-storey ferry, operated by Maris Ferry Service, made an emergency call for assistance shortly before 6pm yesterday while it was sailing off northern Lamma after they discovered water seeping into the engine room.
READ MORE: Full report on Lamma ferry tragedy released
The vessel was docked at Pak Kok Tsuen pier, where the 115 passengers and three crew were evacuated with no reported injuries.
A man said the ferry had appeared to be stopping and starting since beginning its journey at 5.15pm, and the sailors later yelled to alert passengers about the water intake and the emergency arrangements.
He said it took a while before the boat could moor at the pier.
The vessel was moved away for examination, while the passengers continued their journey to Aberdeen on another vessel.
Boats and ambulances from the Fire Services Department had been on standby.
Meanwhile a passenger and crew of a Macau-bound high-speed ferry came to the rescue when a fishing vessel sank in rough seas yesterday.
The fishing boat’s crew of three and their dog were spotted on a raft in Macau waters at about 4pm. Video by a fellow passenger on the TurboJet ferry showed crew throwing ropes to the fishermen and hauling in their raft, while a passenger helped. The trio, all from the mainland, said they had been bound for Zhuhai but were caught in rough seas. No one was injured.
