Hong Kong Ferry Accident: The Insanity That Is Hong Kong Marine Traffic

The Hong Kong ferry accident involving a ferry colliding with the Hong Kong Electric Co. chartered ship Lamma IV has resulted in the deaths of 38 people, the worst maritime accident in over 40 years.

That an accident of this severity has only struck once in over 40 years in one of the world's busiest ports says something for the usually high standards of maritime traffic coordination.

Just how busy does the Port of Hong Kong and Victoria Harbor get? In 2010 I shot a timelapse video from the Hong Kong Ritz Carlton, the highest hotel in the world.

The sped up, bird's eye view of the incredibly hectic marine traffic gives an idea of just how busy Victoria Harbor gets. Ferries, junks (private recreation boats), massive shipping haulers, air craft carriers, you name it, it comes through Hong Kong.

Where the Hong Kong ferry crash occurred was actually closer to Lamma Island than Victoria Harbor, in the West Lamma Channel.

Ferries are a part of Hong Kong life through and through. Before the subway, the only way to get from Hong Kong main island to Kowloon was by boat. The only way to get to Lamma Island, Cheung Chau, Peng Chau or any of the other numerous small islands is by ferry or boat.

Hong Kongers use the ferry from Lamma, Cheung Chau and Peng Chau daily to get to and from work, school, shopping, vacationing, etc. Tourists from around the world have been riding the Hong Kong water for decades.

The Hong Kong Electric Co. Lamma IV was making what is an extremely routine journey through busy Hong Kong waters. That such an accident should end in such a terrible way will make tourists question taking to the waters in Hong Kong, but not Hong Kongers.

As terrible as this tragedy is, these things happen, and we can only hope that as a result safety will improve.

For those coming to and from the islands, they don't have a choice but to take a ferry. It's grab a ferry or stay on the island. That is why the ferries were still operating even after the crash, and why they will continue to operate. For those that have any fears of traveling by sea in Hong Kong, right now will probably be the safest it's ever been as every captain and boat driver is going to be extra cautious and there will be investigations into what happened, hopefully resulting in modified safety procedures.

I'm heading to Hong Kong in November, and I personally can't wait to head out to Cheung Chau for a long weekend. I'll be getting there by ferry.

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• Rescue Operation Under Way After Boat Collision Kills 36 Passengers

  HONG KONG - OCTOBER 2: The stricken ferry is pulled out of the water near Yung Shue Wan on Lamma Island on October 2, 2012 in Hong Kong. Thirty-six passengers have been killed and several others were injured when a Hong Kong Electric ferry, carrying 124 people, collided with a tug boat off the coast of Hong Kong late on Monday. (Photo by Lam Yik Fei/Getty Images)

• HONG KONG-ACCIDENT-FERRY

  The bow of the Lamma IV boat (C) is seen partially submerged during rescue operations on October 2, 2012 the morning after it collided with a Hong Kong ferry killing over 30 people. The boat, filled with more than 120 people headed to watch a national day fireworks display in Victoria harbour, collided with a passenger ferry and sank off Hong Kong, leaving 36 people dead and sparking a frantic overnight search and rescue effort, officials said on October 2. AFP PHOTO / ANTONY DICKSON (Photo credit should read ANTONY DICKSON/AFP/GettyImages)

• HONG KONG-ACCIDENT-FERRY

  The bow of the Lamma IV boat (L) is seen partially submerged during rescue operations on October 2, 2012 the morning after it collided with a Hong Kong ferry killing over 30 people. The boat, filled with more than 120 people headed to watch a national day fireworks display in Victoria harbour, collided with a passenger ferry and sank off Hong Kong, leaving 36 people dead and sparking a frantic overnight search and rescue effort, officials said on October 2. AFP PHOTO / ANTONY DICKSON (Photo credit should read ANTONY DICKSON/AFP/GettyImages)

• HONG KONG-ACCIDENT-FERRY

  The bow of the Lamma IV boat (C) is seen partially submerged during rescue operations on October 2, 2012 the morning after it collided with a Hong Kong ferry killing over 30 people. The boat, filled with more than 120 people headed to watch a national day fireworks display in Victoria harbour, collided with a passenger ferry and sank off Hong Kong, leaving 36 people dead and sparking a frantic overnight search and rescue effort, officials said on October 2. AFP PHOTO / ANTONY DICKSON (Photo credit should read ANTONY DICKSON/AFP/GettyImages)

• HONG KONG-ACCIDENT-FERRY

  The bow of the Lamma IV boat (C) is seen partially submerged during rescue operations on October 2, 2012 the morning after it collided with a Hong Kong ferry killing over 30 people. The boat, filled with more than 120 people headed to watch a national day fireworks display in Victoria harbour, collided with a passenger ferry and sank off Hong Kong, leaving 36 people dead and sparking a frantic overnight search and rescue effort, officials said on October 2. AFP PHOTO / ANTONY DICKSON (Photo credit should read ANTONY DICKSON/AFP/GettyImages)

• HONG KONG-ACCIDENT-FERRY

  The bow of the Lamma IV boat (L) is seen partially submerged during rescue operations on October 2, 2012 the morning after it collided with a Hong Kong ferry killing over 30 people. The boat, filled with more than 120 people headed to watch a national day fireworks display in Victoria harbour, collided with a passenger ferry and sank off Hong Kong, leaving 36 people dead and sparking a frantic overnight search and rescue effort, officials said on October 2. AFP PHOTO / ANTONY DICKSON (Photo credit should read ANTONY DICKSON/AFP/GettyImages)

• HONG KONG-ACCIDENT-FERRY

  The bow of the Lamma IV boat (C) is seen partially submerged during rescue operations on October 2, 2012 the morning after it collided with a Hong Kong ferry killing over 30 people. The boat, filled with more than 120 people headed to watch a national day fireworks display in Victoria harbour, collided with a passenger ferry and sank off Hong Kong, leaving 36 people dead and sparking a frantic overnight search and rescue effort, officials said on October 2. AFP PHOTO / ANTONY DICKSON (Photo credit should read ANTONY DICKSON/AFP/GettyImages)

• HONG KONG-ACCIDENT-FERRY

  Search and rescue teams search the waters around the partially submerged Lamma IV boat (C) off Hong Kong's Lamma island on October 2, 2012 the morning after it collided with a Hong Kong ferry killing over 30 people. The boat, filled with more than 120 people headed to watch a national day fireworks display in Victoria harbour, collided with a passenger ferry and sank off Hong Kong, leaving 36 people dead and sparking a frantic overnight search and rescue effort, officials said on October 2. AFP PHOTO / ANTONY DICKSON (Photo credit should read ANTONY DICKSON/AFP/GettyImages)

• HONG KONG-ACCIDENT-FERRY

  The bow of the Lamma IV boat (C) is seen partially submerged during rescue operations on October 2, 2012 the morning after it collided with a Hong Kong ferry killing over 30 people. The boat, filled with more than 120 people headed to watch a national day fireworks display in Victoria harbour, collided with a passenger ferry and sank off Hong Kong, leaving 36 people dead and sparking a frantic overnight search and rescue effort, officials said on October 2. AFP PHOTO / ANTONY DICKSON (Photo credit should read ANTONY DICKSON/AFP/GettyImages)

• HONG KONG-ACCIDENT-FERRY

  The bow of the partially submerged Lamma IV boat (top) sticks up over the hull of a barge (bottom) being used for rescue operations near Hong Kong's Lamma island on October 2, 2012 the morning after it collided with a Hong Kong ferry killing over 30 people. The boat, filled with more than 120 people headed to watch a national day fireworks display in Victoria harbour, collided with a passenger ferry and sank off Hong Kong, leaving 36 people dead and sparking a frantic overnight search and rescue effort, officials said on October 2. AFP PHOTO / ANTONY DICKSON (Photo credit should read ANTONY DICKSON/AFP/GettyImages)

• HONG KONG-ACCIDENT-FERRY

  Hong Kong's Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying (C) joins representatives of various government departments as they observe a minute of silence at the start of a press conference in Hong Kong on October 2, 2012 following a deadly ferry collision that killed at least 37 people the night before. Six crew from two passenger boats that collided killing 37 people in Hong Kong's worst maritime accident in decades have been arrested, the territory's security chief said at the press conference. AFP PHOTO / ANTONY DICKSON (Photo credit should read ANTONY DICKSON/AFP/GettyImages)

• HONG KONG-ACCIDENT-FERRY

  The Sea Smooth ferry with its bow badly damaged sits docked at the Lamma Island pier on October 2, 1012 following a collision with the Lamma IV boat in Hong Kong waters late on October 1. The Lamma IV boat, filled with more than 120 people headed to watch a national day fireworks display in Victoria harbour, collided with the passenger ferry Sea Smooth and sank off Hong Kong, leaving 36 people dead and sparking a frantic overnight search and rescue effort, officials said on October 2. AFP PHOTO / ANTONY DICKSON (Photo credit should read ANTONY DICKSON/AFP/GettyImages)

• HONG KONG-ACCIDENT-FERRY

  The Sea Smooth ferry with its bow badly damaged sits docked at the Lamma Island pier on October 2, 1012 following a collision with the Lamma IV boat in Hong Kong waters late on October 1. The Lamma IV boat, filled with more than 120 people headed to watch a national day fireworks display in Victoria harbour, collided with the passenger ferry Sea Smooth and sank off Hong Kong, leaving 36 people dead and sparking a frantic overnight search and rescue effort, officials said on October 2. AFP PHOTO / ANTONY DICKSON (Photo credit should read ANTONY DICKSON/AFP/GettyImages)

• HONG KONG-ACCIDENT-FERRY

  Hong Kong's Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying (C) joins representatives of various government departments as they observe a minute of silence at the start of a press conference in Hong Kong on October 2, 2012 following a deadly ferry collision that killed at least 37 people the night before. Six crew from two passenger boats that collided killing 37 people in Hong Kong's worst maritime accident in decades have been arrested, the territory's security chief said at the press conference. AFP PHOTO / ANTONY DICKSON (Photo credit should read ANTONY DICKSON/AFP/GettyImages)

• Rescue Operation Under Way After Boat Collision Kills 36 Passengers

  HONG KONG - OCTOBER 2: The stricken ferry is pulled out of the water near Yung Shue Wan on Lamma Island on October 2, 2012 in Hong Kong. Thirty-six passengers have been killed and several others were injured when a Hong Kong Electric ferry, carrying 124 people, collided with a tug boat off the coast of Hong Kong late on Monday. (Photo by Lam Yik Fei/Getty Images)

• HONG KONG-ACCIDENT-FERRY

  The damaged Sea Smooth ferry is seen docked at Lamma island in Hong Kong on October 3, 2012 two days after it collided with a pleasure boat killing at least 38 people. The captains of the Sea Smooth ferry and the Lamma IV pleasure boat that collided in Hong Kong on October 1, killing 38 people in the city's worst maritime disaster in decades, were arrested on October 2 with five other crew, officials said. AFP PHOTO / Philippe Lopez (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/GettyImages)

• Ferry passengers look trough windows at an another ferry damaged after colliding with a boat, in Lamma Island, off the southwestern coast of Hong Kong Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012. The ferry on Monday collided with a boat owned by utility company Power Assets Holdings Ltd., which was taking its workers and their families to famed Victoria Harbor to watch a fireworks display in celebration of China's National Day and mid-autumn festival, killing at least 36 people. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

• A half submerged boat is lifted by cranes Tuesday Oct. 2, 2012 after Monday night's collision near Lamma Island, off the southwestern coast of Hong Kong Island. The boat packed with revelers on a long holiday weekend collided with a ferry and sank, killing at least 36 people and injuring dozens, authorities said. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

• Relatives of the victims throw paper money Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012 as they pay tribute to the ill-fated people aboard a boat that sank Monday night near Lamma Island, off the southwestern coast of Hong Kong Island. The boat packed with revelers on a long holiday weekend collided with a ferry and sank off Hong Kong, killing at least 36 people and injuring dozens, authorities said. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

• Frogmen from firefighting team retrieve a body, right, Tuesday Oct. 2, 2012 near a boat, unseen, after it collided and sank Monday night near Lamma Island, off the southwestern coast of Hong Kong Island. The boat packed with revelers on a long holiday weekend collided with a ferry and sank off Hong Kong, killing at least 36 people and injuring dozens, authorities said. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

• Police officers on a small boat secure the area around a half submerged boat Tuesday Oct. 2, 2012 after Monday night's collision near Lamma Island, off the southwestern coast of Hong Kong Island. The boat packed with revelers on a long holiday weekend collided with a ferry and sank, killing at least 36 people and injuring dozens, authorities said. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

• Relatives of the victims throw paper money Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012 as they pay tribute to the ill-fated people aboard a boat that sank Monday night near Lamma Island, off the southwestern coast of Hong Kong Island. The boat packed with revelers on a long holiday weekend collided with a ferry and sank off Hong Kong, killing at least 36 people and injuring dozens, authorities said. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

• Relatives of the victims pay tribute Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012 to the ill-fated people aboard a boat that sank Monday night near Lamma Island, off the southwestern coast of Hong Kong Island. The boat packed with revelers on a long holiday weekend collided with a ferry and sank off Hong Kong, killing at least 36 people and injuring dozens, authorities said. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

• Relatives of the victims toss paper money Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012 as they pay tribute to the ill-fated people aboard a boat that sank Monday night near Lamma Island, off the southwestern coast of Hong Kong Island. The boat packed with revelers on a long holiday weekend collided with a ferry and sank off Hong Kong, killing at least 36 people and injuring dozens, authorities said. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

• Police officers guard on a partially submerged boat after it collided with a ferry Monday night near Lamma Island, off the southwestern coast of Hong Kong Island Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012. The boat packed with revelers on a long holiday weekend collided with a ferry and sank off Hong Kong, killing at least 36 people and injuring dozens, authorities said. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

• Workers carry a dead body after it was recovered during search and rescue operations after a boat packed with revelers on a long holiday weekend collided with a ferry and sank off Hong Kong, killing at least 36 people and injuring dozens, Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

• A partially submerged boat is stabilized by the crane of another vessel after it collided with a ferry Monday night near Lamma Island, off the southwestern coast of Hong Kong Island Tuesday,Oct. 2, 2012. The boat packed with revelers on a long holiday weekend collided with a ferry and sank off Hong Kong, killing at least 36 people and injuring dozens, authorities said. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

• Officials check on a half submerged boat after it collided Monday night near Lamma Island, off the southwestern coast of Hong Kong Island Tuesday Oct. 2, 2012. The boat packed with revelers on a long holiday weekend collided with a ferry and sank off Hong Kong, killing at least 36 people and injuring dozens, authorities said. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

• A partially submerged boat is stabilized by the crane of another vessel after it collided with a ferry Monday night near Lamma Island, off the southwestern coast of Hong Kong Island Tuesday,Oct. 2, 2012. The boat packed with revelers on a long holiday weekend collided with a ferry and sank off Hong Kong, killing at least 36 people and injuring dozens, authorities said. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

• A young survivor carried by rescuers, is taken onto shore after a collision involving two vessels in Hong Kong Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012. Authorities in Hong Kong have rescued 101 people after a ferry collided with a boat and sank. A local broadcaster says eight people died.The government said in a statement that the ferry was carrying about 120 people when the accident happened Monday night near Lamma Island, off the southwestern coast of Hong Kong Island. Few other details were given. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

• A survivor carried by rescuers, is taken onto shore after a collision involving two vessels in Hong Kong Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012. Authorities in Hong Kong have rescued 101 people after a ferry collided with a boat and sank. A local broadcaster says eight people died.The government said in a statement that the ferry was carrying about 120 people when the accident happened Monday night near Lamma Island, off the southwestern coast of Hong Kong Island. Few other details were given. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

• A survivor supported by rescuers, is taken onto shore after a collision involving two vessels in Hong Kong Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012. Authorities in Hong Kong have rescued 101 people after a ferry collided with a boat and sank. A local broadcaster says eight people died. The government said in a statement that the ferry was carrying about 120 people when the accident happened Monday night near Lamma Island, off the southwestern coast of Hong Kong Island. Few other details were given. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

• Survivors accompanied by rescuers, are taken onto shore after a collision involving two vessels in Hong Kong Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012. Authorities in Hong Kong have rescued 101 people after a ferry collided with a boat and sank. A local broadcaster says eight people died.The government said in a statement that the ferry was carrying about 120 people when the accident happened Monday night near Lamma Island, off the southwestern coast of Hong Kong Island. Few other details were given. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

• A young survivor is carried by a rescuer, and taken onto shore after a collision involving two vessels, in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012. Authorities in Hong Kong have rescued 101 people after a ferry collided with a boat and sank. A local broadcaster says eight people died. The government said in a statement that the ferry was carrying about 120 people when the accident happened Monday night near Lamma Island, off the southwestern coast of Hong Kong Island. Few other details were given. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

• Rescuers check on a half submerged boat after it collided Monday night near Lamma Island, off the southwestern coast of Hong Kong Island Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012. Authorities in Hong Kong have rescued 101 people after a ferry collided with a tugboat and sank. A local broadcaster says eight people died. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

• Rescuers check on a half submerged boat after it collided Monday night near Lamma Island, off the southwestern coast of Hong Kong Island Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012. Authorities in Hong Kong have rescued 101 people after a ferry collided with a tugboat and sank. A local broadcaster says eight people died. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

• Rescuers check on a half submerged boat after it collided Monday night near Lamma Island, off the southwestern coast of Hong Kong Island Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012. Authorities in Hong Kong have rescued 101 people after a ferry collided with a tugboat and sank. A local broadcaster says eight people died. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

• Rescuers check on a half submerged boat after it collided Monday night near Lamma Island, off the southwestern coast of Hong Kong Island Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012. Authorities in Hong Kong have rescued 101 people after a ferry collided with a tugboat and sank. A local broadcaster says eight people died. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

• HONG KONG-ACCIDENT-FERRY

  A victim (C) is carried ashore by rescue personnel after at least 20 people were injured in a collision between a ferry and another commercial vessel off Hong Kong on October 1, 2012. Search and rescue operations were under way for around 80 other people who were involved in the accident near Lamma Island, a police spokesman said. AFP PHOTO / RICHARD A. BROOKS (Photo credit should read RICHARD A. BROOKS/AFP/GettyImages)

• HONG KONG-ACCIDENT-FERRY

  A victim (C) is carried ashore by rescue personnel after at least 20 people were injured in a collision between a ferry and another commercial vessel off Hong Kong on October 1, 2012. Search and rescue operations were under way for around 80 other people who were involved in the accident near Lamma Island, a police spokesman said. AFP PHOTO / RICHARD A. BROOKS (Photo credit should read RICHARD A. BROOKS/AFP/GettyImages)

• HONG KONG-ACCIDENT-FERRY

  Local residents (L) try to get a glimpse of rescue personnel (R) as they tend to a victim who was brought ashore after at least 20 people were injured in a collision between a ferry and another commercial vessel off Hong Kong on October 1, 2012. Search and rescue operations were under way for around 80 other people who were involved in the accident near Lamma Island, a police spokesman said. AFP PHOTO / RICHARD A. BROOKS (Photo credit should read RICHARD A. BROOKS/AFP/GettyImages)

• HONG KONG-ACCIDENT-FERRY

  A victim (C) is carried ashore by rescue personnel after at least 20 people were injured in a collision between a ferry and another commercial vessel off Hong Kong on October 1, 2012. Search and rescue operations were under way for around 80 other people who were involved in the accident near Lamma Island, a police spokesman said. AFP PHOTO / RICHARD A. BROOKS (Photo credit should read RICHARD A. BROOKS/AFP/GettyImages)

• HONG KONG-ACCIDENT-FERRY

  Members of the media surround rescue workers as they carry a victim into an ambulance after at least 20 people were injured in a collision between a ferry and another commercial vessel off Hong Kong on October 1, 2012. Search and rescue operations were under way for around 80 other people who were involved in the accident near Lamma Island, a police spokesman said. AFP PHOTO / RICHARD A. BROOKS (Photo credit should read RICHARD A. BROOKS/AFP/GettyImages)

• HONG KONG-ACCIDENT-FERRY

  Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying (2nd L) pays a visit to a hospital after at least 30 people were injured in a collision between a ferry and another commercial vessel off Hong Kong on October 1, 2012. More than 30 people were injured in a collision between a ferry and a tug boat which threw scores of people into the sea off Hong Kong, police said. The government said around 120 people were on board the vessels, of whom 101 had been rescued. AFP PHOTO / Antony DICKSON (Photo credit should read ANTONY DICKSON/AFP/GettyImages)

• HONG KONG-ACCIDENT-FERRY

  Medical personnel transfer a victim from an ambulance at a hospital after at least 30 people were injured in a collision between a ferry and another commercial vessel off Hong Kong on October 1, 2012. More than 30 people were injured in a collision between a ferry and a tug boat which threw scores of people into the sea off Hong Kong, police said. The government said around 120 people were on board the vessels, of whom 101 had been rescued. AFP PHOTO / Antony DICKSON (Photo credit should read ANTONY DICKSON/AFP/GettyImages)

• HONG KONG-ACCIDENT-FERRY

  Medical personnel transfer a victim from an ambulance at a hospital after at least 30 people were injured in a collision between a ferry and another commercial vessel off Hong Kong on October 1, 2012. More than 30 people were injured in a collision between a ferry and a tug boat which threw scores of people into the sea off Hong Kong, police said. The government said around 120 people were on board the vessels, of whom 101 had been rescued. AFP PHOTO / Antony DICKSON (Photo credit should read ANTONY DICKSON/AFP/GettyImages)

• HONG KONG-ACCIDENT-FERRY

  Medical personnel transfer a victim from an ambulance at a hospital after at least 30 people were injured in a collision between a ferry and another commercial vessel off Hong Kong on October 1, 2012. More than 30 people were injured in a collision between a ferry and a tug boat which threw scores of people into the sea off Hong Kong, police said. The government said around 120 people were on board the vessels, of whom 101 had been rescued. AFP PHOTO / Antony DICKSON (Photo credit should read ANTONY DICKSON/AFP/GettyImages)

• HONG KONG-ACCIDENT-FERRY

  Medical personnel transfer a victim from an ambulance at a hospital after at least 30 people were injured in a collision between a ferry and another commercial vessel off Hong Kong on October 1, 2012. More than 30 people were injured in a collision between a ferry and a tug boat which threw scores of people into the sea off Hong Kong, police said. The government said around 120 people were on board the vessels, of whom 101 had been rescued. AFP PHOTO / Antony DICKSON (Photo credit should read ANTONY DICKSON/AFP/GettyImages)

• HONG KONG-ACCIDENT-FERRY

  The bow of the Lamma IV boat (C) is seen partially submerged during rescue operations on October 2, 2012 the morning after it collided with a Hong Kong ferry. The boat, filled with more than 120 people headed to watch a national day fireworks display in Victoria harbour, collided with a passenger ferry and sank off Hong Kong, leaving 36 people dead and sparking a frantic overnight search and rescue effort, officials said on October 2. AFP PHOTO / LAURENT FIEVET (Photo credit should read LAURENT FIEVET/AFP/GettyImages)

• HONG KONG-ACCIDENT-FERRY

  The bow of the Lamma IV boat is seen partially submerged on October 2, 2012 the morning after it collided with a Hong Kong ferry. The boat, filled with more than 120 people headed to watch a national day fireworks display in Victoria harbour, collided with a passenger ferry and sank off Hong Kong, leaving 36 people dead and sparking a frantic overnight search and rescue effort, officials said on October 2. AFP PHOTO / LAURENT FIEVET (Photo credit should read LAURENT FIEVET/AFP/GettyImages)

• HONG KONG-ACCIDENT-FERRY

  The damaged bow of the Sea Smooth ferry is seen docked at the Lamma Island pier following a collision with the Lamma IV boat off Hong Kong late on October 1, 2012. The Lamma IV boat, filled with more than 120 people headed to watch a national day fireworks display in Victoria harbour, collided with the passenger ferry Sea Smooth and sank off Hong Kong, leaving 36 people dead and sparking a frantic overnight search and rescue effort, officials said on October 2. AFP PHOTO / LAURENT FIEVET (Photo credit should read LAURENT FIEVET/AFP/GettyImages)

 

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Comments

[DouglasCrets]

07:10 AM on 10/03/2012

Here, I am posting this link:

http://articles.cnn.com/2012-10-01/asia/world_asia_china-ferry-crash_1_passenger-ferry-hong-kong-s-lamma-island-vessel

It happened off the coast of Lamma, not even near the harbor. I'm afraid you just wanted to use a video of Victoria Harbor and tell people you will be in Hong Kong, but didn't really pay attention to geography.

That's a problem in reporting. I am sure people got fixated on Hong Kong, because that's what people knew, but had no real idea where Lamma is in relation to that.

[Chris-Anderson]

09:13 AM on 10/03/2012

Hey Douglas,

Thanks for the comments. I'll answer both in this one. Yes, I probably should have said off the coast of Lamma as thats more accurate. I did link out to Google Maps of where Lamma is in relation to the HK Harbor to give people an idea.

I did want to use the video because it does show Hong Kong marine traffic from a birds eye view and gives people a sense of what its like when those who haven't been to Hong Kong wouldn't have a clue. If I had a video of boat traffic closer to Lamma I would have used that as well.

As for the "alarmist sounding set of sentences," I did say its probably the safest it will ever be right now and I think its fair to say that after an accident like this, even if it occurred by human error in an area that is less trafficked, that things can be done to help prevent this from happening in the future.

Personally, I lived in Hong Kong for two years. Not quite your six, but enough to get a sense of the tourists who go there and to ride the ferries enough myself to know what its like and who rides them.

I didn't just want to tell people that I'm going to Hong Kong, that would be silly. But this is a blog, and I am going to HK in November and Cheung Chau (love that island.)

[Chris-Anderson]

11:35 AM on 10/03/2012

Here's an update to the story on the cause: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/03/hong-kong-ferry-crash-human-errors_n_1935132.html

"Yeung said he suspects the ferry captain may not have been paying enough attention. 'If people run on the same route every day, several times a day, they become overconfident. They become very slack,' he said.

At the same time, he said the Lamma IV's captain might have been moving too fast to secure a good position for the fireworks show."

[DouglasCrets]

07:05 AM on 10/03/2012

I just have a few questions.

If the other boat made it back to Lamma, then did the ferry colission happen in this section of the water where you shoot a video? The Lamma side is on the other side of the island, near Ap Lei Chau.

I am still searching, but I can't find an article that states where the actual collision was. It makes a difference. My assumption is that this happened on the southern side of the island, which is not normally as busy, but may have been busier because of National Day on that evening. Can you verify that?

In that case, using a video to show how busy Victoria Harbor is is kind of pointless, and so is writing an alarming-sounding set of sentences about tourist fears about taking boats.

I lived there for six years. People are always finding ways to talk about how the narrowing channel in Victoria Harbour is leading to the end of Hong Kong as we know it.

[williambanzai7]

04:24 AM on 10/03/2012

I'm afraid this piece is written by someone who knows absolutely nothing about the subject, except for what a tourist thinks.

[Gingerland]

07:33 AM on 10/03/2012

Obviously.

[Chris-Anderson]

09:17 AM on 10/03/2012

I actually lived in Hong Kong for two years and rode the ferries fairly often out to the islands, took junk trips, took the ferries out to Macau. And yes, this was directed at those that wouldn't know a lot about riding the water ways in Hong Kong. There are plenty of reported pieces out there regarding the specifics of what happened, (one of which is linked out to in the first sentence) but this is intended to give a sense of what its like, nothing more.

[Caryn Banker]

06:54 PM on 10/02/2012

There was a saying in the 50's that you could walk from Kowloon to Central by stepping from boat to sampan to boat to boat...the harbor was so crowded with water traffic. It is positively empty today in comparison. I think this was a very unusual circumstance, that happened with much more traffic than usual of people watching the Natl. Day fireworks in the harbor. If any new regulations are passed, it will probably have to do with holiday traffic or junks sitting in/cruising the harbor during the fireworks.

Terrible tragedy. My sincere condolences to the families of those who died.

[left in vermont]

06:12 PM on 10/02/2012

My father used to have an office over looking Hong Kong harbor, I'd ask him how's it going, he'd always say, "Just another day directing traffic".

[hglu]

05:03 PM on 10/02/2012

Am I missing something?

[canadaloki]

04:49 PM on 10/02/2012

The harbor looks relatively tame compared to the city streets.