97 lines
5.0 KiB
YAML
97 lines
5.0 KiB
YAML
plaintiff:
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- Next of kin of the 39 deceased persons
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defendant:
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- N/A (Inquest proceeding)
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case_reason: >
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Inquest into the deaths of 39 persons arising out of the collision between passenger vessels
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Lamma IV and Sea Smooth on 1 October 2012 off Lamma Island. The inquest was ordered by the
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Court of Appeal on 26 July 2023 to examine six specific issues not fully addressed in the
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Commission of Inquiry or criminal proceedings, including whether Cheoy Lee knew the bulkhead
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was to be built watertight, whether damage stability calculations were properly conducted,
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whether port hull bow plating was attached to Sea Smooth at collision, whether Lamma IV's
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coaming was lower than required, whether the bulkhead was properly inspected, and the long
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working hours of seafarers.
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judgment_summary: >
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The Coroner's Court conducted an inquest into the deaths of 39 passengers aboard Lamma IV,
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which sank within 118 seconds after colliding with Sea Smooth on 1 October 2012. The collision
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occurred at approximately 8:20pm in waters off Shek Kok Tsui, northwest of Lamma Island. The
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port side bow of Sea Smooth struck the port aft quarter of Lamma IV, causing a substantial
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breach to Lamma IV's hull. The rapid sinking was attributed to the absence of a watertight
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door at the bulkhead separating the Steering Gear Compartment from the Tank Room, allowing
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uncontrolled flooding. The court found that 36 deceased died from drowning, while 3 died from
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traumatic injuries combined with drowning. The collision was caused by negligent navigation
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of both vessels' coxswains, with the Sea Smooth coxswain bearing greater culpability. The
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court concluded that each of the 39 deceased was killed unlawfully, applying the civil standard
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of proof. The inquest examined 84 witnesses and 364 exhibits over multiple hearing dates in
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2025, with verdict delivered on 21-22 January 2026.
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jurisdiction_code: >
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HKCRC
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jurisdiction_name: >
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Coroner's Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
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case_location:
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- Coroner's Court
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- Hong Kong
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case_object:
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- Lamma IV passenger vessel
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- Sea Smooth passenger ferry
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- Frame ½ Bulkhead (bulkhead between Steering Gear Compartment and Tank Room)
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- Watertight door
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- Hull compartmentation and safety standards
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- Maritime safety regulations
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judgment_result:
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- allegation_content: Whether from the outset Cheoy Lee knew that the Bulkhead was to be built watertight (Issue 1)
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established: Pending full verdict analysis
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- allegation_content: Whether Mr. Cheung shifted blame for Damage Stability Calculations mistakes to Mr. Leizaola (Issue 2)
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established: Pending full verdict analysis
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- allegation_content: Whether Port Hull Bow Plating was attached to Sea Smooth at time of collision (Issue 3)
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established: Pending full verdict analysis
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- allegation_content: Whether coaming of Lamma IV was lower than required (Issue 4)
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established: Pending full verdict analysis
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- allegation_content: Whether Bulkhead was inspected annually or bi-annually (Issue 5)
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established: Pending full verdict analysis
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- allegation_content: Long working hours of seafarers in passenger ferry industry (Issue 6)
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established: Pending full verdict analysis
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- allegation_content: Deaths of 39 persons constituted unlawful killing
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established: Y
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involved_entities:
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- name: Monica Chow
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state_reasons: Coroner presiding over the inquest
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- name: The Hongkong Electric Company Limited
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state_reasons: Organized the outing and operated Lamma IV vessel
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- name: Islands Ferry Company Limited
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state_reasons: Owned Sea Smooth vessel, wholly owned subsidiary of Hong Kong & Kowloon Ferry Holdings Limited
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- name: Cheoy Lee Shipyards Ltd
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state_reasons: Shipbuilder contracted to construct Lamma IV passenger launch
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- name: Naval-Consult Pte Ltd
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state_reasons: Singapore-based naval architects who designed Lamma IV based on Eastern District No. 1
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- name: Wuzhou Shipyard
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state_reasons: Subcontractor in Guangxi, China that constructed the hull of Lamma IV
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- name: Marine Department
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state_reasons: Regulatory authority responsible for vessel safety standards and inspections
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- name: Commission of Inquiry (COI)
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state_reasons: Appointed on 22 October 2012 to investigate the collision, submitted report on 19 April 2013 with 13 recommendations
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- name: Coxswain of Sea Smooth
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state_reasons: Convicted of 39 counts of manslaughter and endangering safety of others at sea
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- name: Coxswain of Lamma IV
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state_reasons: Convicted of endangering lives of others at sea
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- name: Dr Neville Anthony Armstrong
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state_reasons: Naval architect expert witness who gave evidence at COI
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- name: Dr Martin Renilson
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state_reasons: Naval architect expert witness instructed on behalf of Next of Kin
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- name: Mr Ken Lo Ngok Yang
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state_reasons: Director of Cheoy Lee responsible for liaising with Naval-Consult on Lamma IV design
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- name: Mr Cheung Chuen Yau
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state_reasons: Engineering Manager at Cheoy Lee, responsible for damage stability calculations
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- name: Court of Appeal
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state_reasons: Ordered the inquest to be held on 26 July 2023 and identified six issues for determination
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