plaintiff:
- Next of kin of the 39 deceased persons

defendant:
- N/A (Inquest proceeding)

case_reason: >
  Inquest into the deaths of 39 persons arising out of the collision between passenger vessels 
  Lamma IV and Sea Smooth on 1 October 2012 off Lamma Island. The inquest was ordered by the 
  Court of Appeal on 26 July 2023 to examine six specific issues not fully addressed in the 
  Commission of Inquiry or criminal proceedings, including whether Cheoy Lee knew the bulkhead 
  was to be built watertight, whether damage stability calculations were properly conducted, 
  whether port hull bow plating was attached to Sea Smooth at collision, whether Lamma IV's 
  coaming was lower than required, whether the bulkhead was properly inspected, and the long 
  working hours of seafarers.

judgment_summary: >
  The Coroner's Court conducted an inquest into the deaths of 39 passengers aboard Lamma IV, 
  which sank within 118 seconds after colliding with Sea Smooth on 1 October 2012. The collision 
  occurred at approximately 8:20pm in waters off Shek Kok Tsui, northwest of Lamma Island. The 
  port side bow of Sea Smooth struck the port aft quarter of Lamma IV, causing a substantial 
  breach to Lamma IV's hull. The rapid sinking was attributed to the absence of a watertight 
  door at the bulkhead separating the Steering Gear Compartment from the Tank Room, allowing 
  uncontrolled flooding. The court found that 36 deceased died from drowning, while 3 died from 
  traumatic injuries combined with drowning. The collision was caused by negligent navigation 
  of both vessels' coxswains, with the Sea Smooth coxswain bearing greater culpability. The 
  court concluded that each of the 39 deceased was killed unlawfully, applying the civil standard 
  of proof. The inquest examined 84 witnesses and 364 exhibits over multiple hearing dates in 
  2025, with verdict delivered on 21-22 January 2026.

jurisdiction_code: >
  HKCRC

jurisdiction_name: >
  Coroner's Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

case_location:
- Coroner's Court
- Hong Kong

case_object:
- Lamma IV passenger vessel
- Sea Smooth passenger ferry
- Frame ½ Bulkhead (bulkhead between Steering Gear Compartment and Tank Room)
- Watertight door
- Hull compartmentation and safety standards
- Maritime safety regulations

judgment_result:
- allegation_content: Whether from the outset Cheoy Lee knew that the Bulkhead was to be built watertight (Issue 1)
  established: Pending full verdict analysis
- allegation_content: Whether Mr. Cheung shifted blame for Damage Stability Calculations mistakes to Mr. Leizaola (Issue 2)
  established: Pending full verdict analysis
- allegation_content: Whether Port Hull Bow Plating was attached to Sea Smooth at time of collision (Issue 3)
  established: Pending full verdict analysis
- allegation_content: Whether coaming of Lamma IV was lower than required (Issue 4)
  established: Pending full verdict analysis
- allegation_content: Whether Bulkhead was inspected annually or bi-annually (Issue 5)
  established: Pending full verdict analysis
- allegation_content: Long working hours of seafarers in passenger ferry industry (Issue 6)
  established: Pending full verdict analysis
- allegation_content: Deaths of 39 persons constituted unlawful killing
  established: Y

involved_entities:
- name: Monica Chow
  state_reasons: Coroner presiding over the inquest
- name: The Hongkong Electric Company Limited
  state_reasons: Organized the outing and operated Lamma IV vessel
- name: Islands Ferry Company Limited
  state_reasons: Owned Sea Smooth vessel, wholly owned subsidiary of Hong Kong & Kowloon Ferry Holdings Limited
- name: Cheoy Lee Shipyards Ltd
  state_reasons: Shipbuilder contracted to construct Lamma IV passenger launch
- name: Naval-Consult Pte Ltd
  state_reasons: Singapore-based naval architects who designed Lamma IV based on Eastern District No. 1
- name: Wuzhou Shipyard
  state_reasons: Subcontractor in Guangxi, China that constructed the hull of Lamma IV
- name: Marine Department
  state_reasons: Regulatory authority responsible for vessel safety standards and inspections
- name: Commission of Inquiry (COI)
  state_reasons: Appointed on 22 October 2012 to investigate the collision, submitted report on 19 April 2013 with 13 recommendations
- name: Coxswain of Sea Smooth
  state_reasons: Convicted of 39 counts of manslaughter and endangering safety of others at sea
- name: Coxswain of Lamma IV
  state_reasons: Convicted of endangering lives of others at sea
- name: Dr Neville Anthony Armstrong
  state_reasons: Naval architect expert witness who gave evidence at COI
- name: Dr Martin Renilson
  state_reasons: Naval architect expert witness instructed on behalf of Next of Kin
- name: Mr Ken Lo Ngok Yang
  state_reasons: Director of Cheoy Lee responsible for liaising with Naval-Consult on Lamma IV design
- name: Mr Cheung Chuen Yau
  state_reasons: Engineering Manager at Cheoy Lee, responsible for damage stability calculations
- name: Court of Appeal
  state_reasons: Ordered the inquest to be held on 26 July 2023 and identified six issues for determination

