32 meters and carries 425 passengers

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Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
----- Margaret Mead

Has seat pockets!!
Let's hope it has a long, safe career!

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Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
----- Margaret Mead

Dont think speed is smart word to use, Sea Safe might be better

Wondering how long this ferry will stay so 'pristine and clean'.

It's amazing how incredibly grotty ferries become within a few months.

Looking forward to sailing on the new big ferry, a bit sick taking the small tin box ferry that is always packed and always stinks.

I took this ferry this morning and was shocked to see the doors to the outside deck on the upper story were locked shut with chains. It would have been impossible to get out if anything happened.

The upstairs door to the outside on the smallest ferry is also chained shut - again it's the only way out of the upper deck.

Has HKKF learned nothing from the recent tragedy?

Does it have outdoor seating?

Nope. They still haven't responded to my email that I resent to them five times.

They could start with safety training for staff, and some damn good PR .. which they don't obviously have.

or Sea Sick

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"go and stick your dog up your arse"
-- G.O.D.S.

i don't see what's so good about the new ferry.Give it a few months and will look and smell exactly like the old ones. Locking doors should be illegal.
The seat pockets are just too small to be of any use. Mesh or elastic pockets would have been better, and easier to clean. I dread the idea of sliding my hand in them in a couple of months....cockroach nursery! I bet people just use them for candy and food wrappers.

I did not have yet a chance to travel on the new ferry. Even before the tragedy I often tried to plan my moves in case of ferry sinking. One of the options was: grab the fire extinguisher and smash the window.
Keeping the exits locked is really a gross hazard, not to mention that there is not enough of them to evacuate passengers quickly in case of fire or sinking. I think it would not be inappropriate from passengers to request from the captain to make all the possible exits unlocked. Even if he refuses, little bit of civilized mutiny on board may have a chance to reach the HKKF management.

Last time I was on the smallest ferry I undid the chain myself. I was ready for an argument if any of the crew tried to put it back on, but none of them noticed.

The chains on the Sea Speed were locked however. None of the crew speak Engilsh and I don't speak enough Canto to ask them why the door is locked and to please unlock it. If I see it again I'll try and enlist a fellow's passenger's help to translate.

I sat at the back of the Sea Speed this morning. The chains don't actually lock the doors - they're just plastic look-a-like chains stuck on with tape. Even so I totally agree - how could they even put imitation chains up after what happened. No idea why aren't they allowing us to sit outside - it looks the same as the others.

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Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.

It can't have been locked at 6pm last night as there were people sitting outside for the journey to YSW.

It was chained last night on the 6pm. A few of us managed to sneak outside, however just as we were leaving one of the crew members ushered us inside. The woman translating said that the outside area hadn't been authorized !! One man did stay outside and refused to come in, but was locked out for a short while. They really should have a notice up explaining the situation. The reason I waited for the big ferry was to sit outside!
On the positive side, nice and comfy seats, but I agree those seat pockets are going to harbor some revolting things before too long!

They learned from that other time when a guy fell off the back of the ferry, behind the toilets.

They learned that these areas should have staff on duty, but still they all pile into the captains room

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Sabe 1

The other large ferry "sea superior" has missed the last 2 months of pest control...the only reason I checked was after I had some friendly cockroaches on my shoulder 2 nights ago!

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Sabe 1

Tonight on the 8.00pm ferry from Central to YSW, a few of us bobbed under the yellow chain and sat outside.

One door was open to the outside seating area.

The other door was locked.

The ferry crew came out back and asked us to move and we asked 'why'. They just pointed to the sign. There was a sign on the door last week that said "No going outside'.. but without explanation.

People have been slowly entering the no go area.

This week they have put a sign up that says "Waiting for Marine Department Authorization". ?? Huh?? it's a regular A4 size sign with a HKKF logo. No offical notification, and no marine stamp. Nothing.

Someone mentioned that maybe the they are waiting for a license before people can use the outside area. But there is no common sense in that?? Shouldn't the WHOLE ferry be licensed and seaworthy and safe before it takes passengers?

And if the marine department is considering banning outside passengers, why are we allowed to sit in the outdoor seating area on the other ferries?

So many questions.

What are the chances of me getting hold of a Marine Department human at the end of the phone tomorrow morning?

No doubt there's a regulatory crackdown after the Lamma IV, which like most bureaucratic responses after some tragedy, has nothing to do with actual safety, just covering their arses by making inane rules.


Call 1823, more effective than directly calling most departments.
See http://www.1823.gov.hk/eng/
They follow up and make sure you get a response.

Below is a reply to my e-mail to MD. Hope the enquiry will not result in permanent locking of the open deck.

Dear sir,

Thanks for your message;
and it has been passed to the relevant
section (Local vessel) for their
follow up.

Regards.

YC SHIU
S(N)/PAX
for Director of Marine
Marine Departmnet HKSAR

Tel: (852) 2852 4509
Fax: (852) 2545 0556



----Original Message----
Date: 02/11/2012 9:33
To: <sspax@mardep.gov.hk>
Subj: safety concern on ferry to
Lamma

Dear Officer,
On 31 Oct. 2012 one of the two doors from the main cabin to open deck on
Sea Speed ferry run by HKKF from Central to Yung Shue Wan was locked. The other door was unlocked yet a plastic chain put across to prevent passengers going through. The paper sign was displayed on both doors "Waiting for Marine
Department Authorization".

Locking one of very few exits from the main cabin is a breach to safety rules and puts the passengers at high risk in case of a need of emergency evacuation. If the locking of the door was really administered by Marine Department than the Departments itself creates a very serious hazard.

Even the plastic chain and warning may cause people being afraid of using the exit in emergency situation.

Regards,