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SCMP Reporter

Helmsman fainted before accident, says report

The captain of a ferry that ran aground on Lantau Island three months ago could not put the vessel back on course because he was attending to a stricken crewmate, according to an internal inquiry into the accident.

The New World First Ferry investigation said the 57-year-old co-captain who was steering the ferry had been on medication for hypertension. Leung Ah-shing passed out just before the double-decker Xin Jie slammed into rocks near Silvermine Bay at 1.20pm on May 12.

The investigation said Captain Lo Sum, 56, was in the wheelhouse but did not immediately take control of the ferry because he was trying to revive Mr Leung.

First Ferry director and general manager John Hui Chiu-yin  yesterday said the 20-year-old ferry had veered off course to avoid debris on the sea prior to the accident.

'The co-captain who was in control of the steering wheel suddenly fainted,' Mr Hui said. 'The captain next to him tried to help him. But because [the ferry had veered] to avoid the debris on the sea, the ferry floated to the right-hand side and slammed onto the rocks.

'The co-captain has been taking pills. He said he sometimes felt dizzy after taking the medicine.'

At the time of the accident, the passengers said the vessel, which was carrying 81 passengers and five crew, made a sudden 'big right turn' and ran into Man Kok Tsui, about 1km from its destination.

Passengers were thrown to the deck during the accident, with a 78-year-old woman suffering head injuries. Mr Leung had reportedly undergone a medical examination at Tseung Kwan O Hospital less than 24 hours before the crash.

Mr Lo and Mr Leung have been withdrawn from frontline duties since the accident.

Mr Hui believed the accident would not affect public confidence in the company. 'An accident is an accident,' he said. 'It's the same whether you take an airplane or ferry. We've always provided sufficient staff training and preventive measures.'

The report has been submitted to the Marine Department which has advised the company to take action to prevent a similar accident from recurring.

It suggested captains report to the company if they need to take medication while on duty.

A spokeswoman for the company said frontline staff had been reminded of contingency measures. 'That is why we advocated staff working in pairs because someone will be there to help in case of emergency,' she said.

The company is looking into another collision which happened in June between its Macau-Hong Kong ferry and a mainland  sightseeing boat in Zhuhai waters.

Meanwhile, the company is considering several proposals, including introduction of a fuel surcharge or reducing the frequency of services, to offset the higher oil prices, Mr Hui said.



Ferry captain left wheel to revive fallen colleague