A CHINA-bound ferry and a fishing boat collided near Tsing Yi Island yesterday, injuring seven people and prompting concern about safety in the harbour. The China-owned catamaran Tai Ping, which was bound for Taiping in Guangxi province, had been out of port less than 20 minutes when it collided with the Hongkong-licensed fishing boat. Hongkong businessman Mr Philip Southey, a passenger on the catamaran, said visibility had been poor as they left the Hongkong China Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui yesterday morning. Seats in the ferry toppled forward and some passengers suffered bruising, cuts and head injuries, he said. One man's glasses jammed into his face. Mr Southey said the accident made him question the safety of the ferries and the regulations governing them. ''I wonder why this should happen in the first place. Presumably these boats should have their radar on,'' he said. The number of collisions jumped 25 per cent from 255 in 1991 to 321 last year, according to Marine Department figures. Yesterday's injured were all on the catamaran. Five of them were treated and discharged from Queen Elizabeth Hospital. A 38-year-old man was in fair condition last night, while an 81-year-old man was under observation. Mr Southey said the crew on the catamaran responded poorly to the incident. They did not try to locate a doctor on board until asked to do so by passengers, he said. The catamaran was escorted back to the Hongkong China Ferry Terminal by Marine Police and the fishing vessel returned to Castle Peak.
