Collision alert not shown on radar before tragedy
Court told Sea Smooth and Lamma IV were not part of Marine Department's monitoring system
The Marine Department's radar system did not show an alert before the collision between two vessels involved in the National Day tragedy two years ago that led to the deaths of 39 passengers, the High Court heard yesterday.
In order to join the system, vessels have to meet certain requirements, the court heard. For example, the tonnage has to exceed certain levels. Most local vessels were not part of the VTC system, Yim said.
Yim is testifying against Lamma IV skipper Chow Chi-wai, 58, and Sea Smooth coxswain Lai Sai-ming, 56, who are facing multiple manslaughter charges.
During cross-examination by Chow's barrister James Turner QC, Yim said: "[Lamma IV] is not a VTC participating vessel. [Sea Smooth] is not a VTC participating vessel. So the two vessels do not meet the requirements of potential collision alerts."
The court heard that the department's radar system was functioning properly between 8pm and 10pm that night.
Yim said that the collision of the Lamma IV and Sea Smooth occurred within a six-second interval at 8.30pm. The department had retrieved the records of the two vessels' tracks between 36 seconds after 8.04pm and 29 seconds after 8.31pm for the trial, the court heard.
The court heard that about six minutes before the collision, the system flagged a "potential collision alert" for the Sea Smooth and another vessel. Yim explained, however, that "it is possible … the oncoming vessel is a VTC participating vessel".
Speaking of the radar system in general, Yim said that there were "quite a lot" of alerts shown on the screen of the system, and operators would exercise their judgment to identify real risks.
If there was a real risk, "the operator would use the radio system to communicate with the ship to notify her of what to do to avoid a collision", he said.
Chow and Lai have each pleaded not guilty to 39 counts of manslaughter and two counts of endangering the safety of others at sea. The trial continues on Monday.
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