Ferry Safety in the Far East

Ferry Safety in the Far East

China Ferry Collision
A passenger ferry collided with a sand barge in Panyu, Southern China yesterday evening leaving two passengers dead and nine injured. The 1993-built San Bu, with 75 passengers and nine crew members onboard, sailed from Hong Kong to Panyu on November 5. The ship collided with a sand barge near to its destination of Lian Hua Shan Port. The conveyor belt of the sand vessel pierced the cabin of the vessel. Two passengers onboard the ferry, both Dutch nationals, were confirmed dead, and nine passengers including two Hong Kong residents sustained injuries.

Tongan Ferry Had Serious Safety Defects
Princess Ashika , the Tongan-government operated ferry that sank in August with the loss of 74 lives, had multiple and obvious serious safety failings, a local commission of inquiry has heard. These are said to include holes in the decks, heavily corroded hull and deck sections, blocked scuppers and vents, worn safety rails and ropes, damaged access gates and fresh paint over badly rusted areas. Government marine engineer Mosese Fakatou showed the investigation 37 photographic slides of the vessel, pictured after the tragedy, adding that he “stepped carefully” when on board to avoid falling through holes. New Zealand national John Jonesse, managing director of the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia, admitted to the commission earlier this week that the Tongan Ministry of Transport and its Marine and Ports Division did not conduct a full survey prior to purchasing the ferry from Fiji.