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My near Hong Kong
Ferry Disaster just off Lamma Island
What
started out as a special night for people aboard the small, private ferry ended
in a disaster of mega proportions the other night. The small ferry sank near Lamma Island as its
crew was pulling it out and away from the shore line with its 124 passengers on
board.
The
ferry was carrying employees from the Hong Kong Electric Company and their
friends out to watch the Fireworks being fired off that night. It was a huge
celebration night in Hong Kong.
I
can see it as if I was there. In fact I was
there 25 years ago in almost the same location.
You
were there? Yes, with my family.
How
did this memory come back so vividly this morning? Well the news clip from Hong Kong this AM
told the story clearly for me and the memories flooded back again with a new
shudder.
It
was 25 years ago right about now. My family had taken a day away from the
hustle and bustle of Hong Kong. We had boarded the ferry to Cheung Chau
Island.
The
cruise on the ferry was always a highlight as we headed out away from the ferry
dock and into the huge harbour of Hong Kong.
It slowly cruised westward toward open water. As we headed to Cheung Chau, the Lamma Island
was on our left side – just around the corner from the end of Hong Kong Island.
It
was a wonderful day on the Island hiking and spending time by the Ocean. As the day started to wind down we again
boarded the old ferry to head back to the Hong Kong Island and its ferry dock –
and then home.
Our
home bound ferry was just beside Lamma Island cruising at its almost full speed
when suddenly it lurched to the right with a shudder… and the motors revved up
straining making the boat shake violently!
The ferry slowed to a stop facing the edge of Hong Kong Island and
partially turned to Lamma Island.
We
had been sitting on the back deck of the ferry facing the sunshine. Now we were able to see clearly what our
ferry almost hit… but thankfully the Captain of our boat had kept control in an
excellent way and avoided any tragedy.
There
beside our ferry perhaps 100 yards from our stern was a Submarine rising from
the water with great fanfare. As it
broke the surface of the water and righted itself the hatch opened and a number
of men climbed to the deck to stand looking out at the ferry and Hong Kong
Island.
We
had almost collided with a surfacing Submarine… way too close for comfort. Had we been another 200 yards ahead in our
journey… just seconds… the Submarine would have surfaced directly below our
ferry.
How
in the world could that happen? The
Submarine was manned by not so good sailors from India. As the men poured up on
deck they all had their white dress Turbans on their heads. And on the side of
Submarine was a painted the flag of India.
At
the time it was way over the top in excitement and storytelling for our family.
At the end of the day it was a dangerous situation avoided and a site worth
remembering – a real submarine so very close to us… and a wise Ferry Captain
that had saved his(our)boat.
It
was in the newspapers the next day… the wayward Submarine from India that was either
lost or in trouble below the water line… and surfaced for their entry to the
Hong Kong harbour.
I
haven’t thought of that Submarine story for years.
But
this morning after reading the articles about the ferry sinking in Hong Kong
and one British Child losing his life along with 35 other people… it was
shocking for me! All over again I felt
the shudder of the huge ferry’s motors struggle for safety.
How
did this ferry disaster happen anyway?
Apparently
another ferry pushed up against the back of the smaller ferry – rammed the smaller
one. People were standing or sitting on the back of the smaller ferry when the
larger one smashed into it. Add to the fact that the smaller one was likely backing
up with its thrusters moving the craft… the impact was great.
The
big boat severely damaged the little one… and water rushed into the smaller one
and the boat sank in the harbour.
My
guess is uneducated… but there had to be people that were close to the back of
that boat and that may well have been crushed by the impact and the damaged
metal flying in all directions. If they were there… nothing would have stopped
the death of many people.
A
little boy from Britain was in that mess along with others that died.
It
has been 25 years or so since I was close to a very similar situation… only a
few hundred yards further to the north from where the Lamma Island is.
Yes
today is one that I will think of the tragedy of on this 2012 National Day in
Hong Kong.
God
help the families that have lost their loved ones in this terrible and foolish
mess.
How
can it happen…? In Hong Kong it is
crowded and taxis fight and shove to find space to get their passengers where
they need to go. And I am quite sure
that one time taxi drivers now operate the ferries in Hong Kong. And they all
want to be first in line.
Murray
Lincoln
Story References
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newsvideo/9580634/Dozens-killed-as-ferries-collide-in-Hong-Kong.html
For your inspection
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