A ferry involved in one of Hong Kong’s worst maritime disasters 13 years ago had been sailing at high speed before it crashed into another vessel and caused the latter to sink within minutes, a court inquest has heard.
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The Coroner’s Court heard on Wednesday that the Sea Smooth could have been travelling as fast as 20 knots, or about 37km/h, before the collision with the Lamma IV off the waters of Lamma Island that claimed 39 lives on October 1, 2012.
Witnesses also recalled how the Sea Smooth’s crewmen appeared “shocked and nervous” after the accident, while the dozens of passengers on board were divided on whether the ship should continue its journey or help in the rescue of those thrown off the sunken Lamma IV.
The Lamma IV, owned by HK Electric, was en route to Victoria Harbour that night to view National Day fireworks as part of a recreational event the company organised for its staff and their relatives.
The ship, with 124 passengers on board, sank in less than two minutes after the collision, partly due to design flaws, resulting in 39 deaths – the city’s worst maritime disaster since 1971.
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The court on Wednesday heard 24 witness statements that the survivors gave during a police investigation shortly after the tragedy.
