Lamma Ferry Inquest: Coroner dismisses families' call for structural rectification during annual inspections

The Coroner's Court has concluded the delivery of its verdict on the 2012 Lamma ferry crash, which left 39 dead.

Coroner Monica Chow dismissed arguments from the victims' families that the Marine Department should have spotted structural flaws during the annual inspection of the ship, describing it as "impracticable and unrealistic."

Family members of the victims gathered at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Court for the second day of the ruling.

The tragedy unfolded on October 1, 2012.

What was meant to be a celebratory fireworks cruise for the HK Electric employees and their families turned into disaster when the Lamma IV vessel collided with the Lamma-bound Sea Smooth, operated by Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry.

The Lamma IV vessel capsized and sank, claiming 39 lives.

On the families' concerns that technicians failed to fix the vessel's structural flaws during an annual inspection, Coroner Monica Chow clarified the scope of the Marine Department's duties.

She pointed out that while initial inspections can verify whether a ship's structure matches its approved design, the annual inspection is intended to assess only the vessel's condition.

Chow said it was "impracticable and unrealistic" to expect inspectors to re-evaluate the ship's design during every routine check.

As for who is to blame for the faulty stability calculations, Chow found that the draftperson was negligent, and he had assumed his superiors or the Marine Department would catch any errors.

She concluded it was Cheoy Lee yards' failure to clearly define the roles of employees at different ranks -- resulting in "passing the buck" between parties.

Addressing the controversy over whether steel plates were added to the bow of the vessel Sea Smooth, Chow believes these plates had no significant impact on the collision.

She also ruled it out as a factor in the rapid sinking of the Lamma IV, as she weighed on expert testimony.

In terms of the safety standards, Chow noted that the outer coamings -- which are designed to prevent seawater from entering the cabin -- complied with the official height standard.

Therefore, she said the height of the inner coamings was found to have no causal link to the vessel's sinking.

On whether crew members on the ship were overworked, Chow remarked that the maritime industry faces manpower shortages, just like many others sectors.

She noted the labour issue is not something the court can address independently.

In Chow's closing statement, she expressed the court's empathy for families of the victims, acknowledging the devastating trauma they have endured.

In response to the verdict, a family member of one of the victims, Ms. Leung, had this to say.

"We are utterly disappointed with the ruling. Expert witnesses pointed out that the vessel would not have sunk so quickly if the watertight door had been equipped. The door was supposed to be there, based on Cheoy Lee yards' initial design. It is preposterous that the ruling did not answer the question in our minds for so many years."