Lamma IV captain says Sea Smooth failed to make right turn
(02-19 12:18)
Lamma IV had only one minute to avoid the collision that brought the vessel down, the captain told the inquiry today. The boat sank quickly after colliding last October 1 with the passenger ferry Sea Smooth, killing 39 people.
In the 35th day of the inquiry, captain Chow Chi-wai said he made a right turn -- following a usual maritime practice -- to avoid running into Sea Smooth, where the ferry was approaching. But Sea Smooth made a left turn, instead of right. Chow said he tried to accelerate to avoid the hit after deciding to stop the engine to minimize the impact.
Chow stressed that both vessels should take the right turns to avoid head-on collision but Sea Smooth failed to do so.
The captain also said the ferry was not seen after the collision. His vessel sank quickly in about a minute after he urged passengers to put on life jackets.
Chow will continue to give statement today.
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