XN000022-1978-01-09 — Page 2

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MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 1978 8.

REPORT OF MARINE COURT OF INQUIRY INTO

COLLISION OF HYDROFOIL AND FERRY

****

SEVERAL RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE IN THE REPORT OF THE MARINE COURT OF INQUIRY INTO THE COLLISION BETWEEN THE FERRY +MAN TACK+ AND THE HYDROFOIL +FLYING ALBATROSS+ WHICH OCCURRED OFF HEI LING CHAU IN THICK FOG ON MARCH 2 LAST YEAR.

THESE RECOMMENDATIONS +PARTICULARLY WITH REGARD TO THE TYPE OF VESSEL CONCERNED IN THIS COLLISION+ INCLUDE:

(1) ALL HYDROFOILS OPERATING OUT OF HONG KONG SHOULD BE

FITTED - AND RETRO-FITTED WHERE NECESSARY - WITH A COMPASS STABLISED RADAR=

(11)

IV)

(V)

ALL MASTERS AND DECK OFFICERS IN HYDROFOILS OPERATING OUT OF HONG KONG SHOULD HOLD A CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE AT A RADAR SIMULATOR COURSE-

THE RADAR SET PRESENTLY FITTED ON +FLYING ALBATROSS+ SHOULD BE RE-SITED-

CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO FITTING HEAD-SETS AT THE MASTER'S, CHIEF ENGINEER'S AND CHIEF OFFICER'S POSITIONS

AND

THE MARINE DEPARTMENT AND OPERATORS OF HYDROFOILS SHOULD RE-EXAMINE THEIR SCHEDULES TO ALLOW A REASONABLE MID-DAY BREAK OF 30-45 MINUTES FOR EACH MEMBER OF THE CREW WITH PROPER FACILITIES FOR LUNCHEON PROVIDED, PENDING THE OUTCOME OF AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE EXAMINING ALL ASPECTS OF THE OPERATION OF DYNAMICALLY SUPPORTED CRAFT.

REGARDING CONSTRUCTION OF THE +MAN TACK+ AND SIMILAR VESSELS, THE COURT LISTED TWO REQUIREMENTS: THE NECESSITY OF PROVIDING, AS FAR AS IS POSSIBLE, POSITIVE STABILITY AT ALL ANGLES OF HEEL RESULTING FROM THE FLOODING OF ANY TWO ADJACENT COMPARTMENTS- AND NO PASSENGER SHOULD BE CARRIED IN HOLDS, ALTHOUGH THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PASSENGERS NEED NOT BE REDUCED.

IT IS ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT NO BUOYANT APPARATUS SHOULD BE CARRIED ON THE SUN DECK ROOF OF THE +MAN TACK+ CLASS OF FERRIES AS DROPPING LIFE RAFTS FROM THE ROOF OF A THREE-DECK FERRY MIGHT KILL OR INJURE PERSONS ALREADY IN THE WATER ALONGS IDE.

FURTHER, THE SUPPORTS IN WHICH THE BUOYANT APPARATUS ON THE MAIN DECK REST SHOULD BE IMPROVED TO FACILITATE EASIER LAUNCHING PARTICULARLY WHEN THE VESSEL IS HEEL ING.

EACH MEMBER OF THE CREW OF THE +MAN TACK+ CLASS OF FERRIES SHOULD UNDERTAKE TRAINING IN THE BEST METHOD OF ASSISTING PASSENGERS TO LEAVE A SINKING VESSEL WITH EACH MEMBER OF THE CREW BEING ALLOCATED A SPECIFIC TASK IN THE EVENT OF A CASUALTY.

THE REPORT