HONG KONG is likely to be the legal battleground over a sea collision which killed one man and left 34 sailors needing rescue.
The mainland-registered cargo vessel Jiu Yi Shan sank 541 nautical miles south of Hong Kong on Friday after a collision with the Greek-registered Carmen Carina.
The 34 survivors of the Chinese vessel were rescued by the Carmen Carina and brought to Hong Kong on Sunday.
A postmortem examination yesterday confirmed the 47-year-old captain of the Jiu Yi Shan, surnamed Liang, had drowned. Apparently his life jacket had not been properly fastened.
Lawyer Mike Stevens, partner in Holman, Fenwick and Willan, representing the Greek ship's interests, said the territory was likely to be chosen as the jurisdiction for litigation, although in most cases interested parties settled.
The Marine Police interviewed both crews and handed the case on to the Marine Department, which is taking no further action because neither of the ships was registered in Hong Kong.