Thick clouds of black smoke

I WAS amazed to read in your columns that Ms Cecilia Ko, PR Officer for Hongkong Yaumati Ferry Company had said that the company's recent ''Let's make it a smoke-free journey'' campaign had been ''a total success''.

I read the article while crossing the harbour on one of the sparkling clean ''Star'' ferries.

During that 10-minute trip I saw four Hongkong Yaumati ferries, three of which were belching out thick clouds of black smoke.

How can that be declared a total success for a ''smoke-free journey'' campaign? Have I missed the point? PHILIP KEEN New Territories