Fatigue caused Cheung Chau ferry collision: Hong Kong Marine Department
THE Cheung Chau ferry collision late Friday night on April 5 that injured 11 passengers resulted from crew fatigue, a Hong Kong Marine Department investigation has determined.
"Fatigue appeared to have set-in on both the coxswain and the assistant coxswain probably due to their long working hours causing them to fall into a state of drowsiness," said the report, explaining how they took a slight change of direction - half of a degree - to avoid one obstacle and only to forget to correct back, and thus ending up 105 degrees off course.
"It was noted from the CCTV record that both the coxswain and assistant coxswain appeared to be fatigued and did not take proper look-out over this entire period. As a result, the ferry went into the North Lamma Anchorage and hit the anchor chain of a vessel at anchor with a speed of about 20 knots.
"The accident occurred at about midnight from Central Pier to Cheung Chau. Five crew members had been working on the vessel since morning. It was their 15th voyage on that day when the accident occurred." said the marine department.
"While the ferry was sailing at a speed of 22.5 knots at the Western Fairway, the coxswain and the assistant coxswain claimed to see a white light of a fishing boat crossing ahead of the ferry from port to starboard," said the marine department statement.
The coxswain then steered the ferry to port for about 30 seconds to avoid collision with the fishing boat. This maneuver was however not in compliance with the Collision Regulations, said the report.
"The investigation revealed that the ferry had never returned to its planned route after taking such a maneuver, and had maintained off-course by about 105 degrees," said the report.
"The fatigue and inappropriate action of the coxswain and the assistant coxswain of the ferry were the contributing factors to the accident. A proper look-out had not been maintained and the positions of the ferry were not checked regularly," said the marine department report
"To avoid recurrence of similar accidents, owners and operators of all local vessels, particularly those adopting the operation mode that requires long duty hours of the masters/coxswains, are reminded to ensure that the duty rosters of masters/coxswains should be provided with sufficient rest periods during operation to avoid fatigue," the marine department said.
THE Cheung Chau ferry collision late Friday night on April 5 that injured 11 passengers resulted from crew fatigue, a Hong Kong Marine Department investigation has determined.
"Fatigue appeared to have set-in on both the coxswain and the assistant coxswain probably due to their long working hours causing them to fall into a state of drowsiness," said the report, explaining how they took a slight change of direction - half of a degree - to avoid one obstacle and only to forget to correct back, and thus ending up 105 degrees off course.
"It was noted from the CCTV record that both the coxswain and assistant coxswain appeared to be fatigued and did not take proper look-out over this entire period. As a result, the ferry went into the North Lamma Anchorage and hit the anchor chain of a vessel at anchor with a speed of about 20 knots.
"The accident occurred at about midnight from Central Pier to Cheung Chau. Five crew members had been working on the vessel since morning. It was their 15th voyage on that day when the accident occurred." said the marine department.
"While the ferry was sailing at a speed of 22.5 knots at the Western Fairway, the coxswain and the assistant coxswain claimed to see a white light of a fishing boat crossing ahead of the ferry from port to starboard," said the marine department statement.
The coxswain then steered the ferry to port for about 30 seconds to avoid collision with the fishing boat. This maneuver was however not in compliance with the Collision Regulations, said the report.
"The investigation revealed that the ferry had never returned to its planned route after taking such a maneuver, and had maintained off-course by about 105 degrees," said the report.
"The fatigue and inappropriate action of the coxswain and the assistant coxswain of the ferry were the contributing factors to the accident. A proper look-out had not been maintained and the positions of the ferry were not checked regularly," said the marine department report
"To avoid recurrence of similar accidents, owners and operators of all local vessels, particularly those adopting the operation mode that requires long duty hours of the masters/coxswains, are reminded to ensure that the duty rosters of masters/coxswains should be provided with sufficient rest periods during operation to avoid fatigue," the marine department said.