LEAVING unqualified people to command a pleasure craft which sank claiming three lives was 'a little risky, if nothing more', Director of Marine Ian Dale told legislators yesterday.
He told the Economic Services Panel the investigation into the Christmas Day tragedy was continuing.
The craft apparently sank after hitting what was believed to be an unlit anchorage buoy near the Brothers Islands, north of Lantau.
But Mr Dale said he did not want to pre-empt investigating officers, and would only confirm the craft did not sink within the fairway. He hoped the investigation would be finished before the end of the month.
Hong Kong's harbour was still safe for marine traffic despite huge reclamation projects, he said.
He estimated marine traffic would be 50 per cent greater in 2001 than in 1994. A number of proposals were made to meet future challenges, including identifying traffic patterns and extending pilotage coverage to the southern limits of the Lamma Channel by establishing a pilot station at Round Island in late 1996.