New World First Ferry Services says it cannot afford to replace its ageing vessels, such as the one involved in a crash on Friday.
First Ferry director and general manager John Hui Chiu-yin said some of their vessels were fairly old, and he wanted to replace them. 'But there are other concerns, such as financial constraints, and the passengers' expectation, what kind of vessels they want.'
Last month Transport Commissioner Alan Wong Chi-kong said the company had a $12 million deficit and would lose $4 million to $5 million a year, even with a 6.5 per cent fare increase.
The company has 20 ferries, including 12 with an average age of 20 years or more, but Mr Hui said the ships could serve up to 30 years. The Xin Jie was involved in two minor accidents before, one in 2002 and the other in 2004, but it passed a regular check last month and its annual inspection in February, a spokeswoman said.
Mr Hui doubted mechanical problems were to blame for the accident last Friday, where the Xin Jie veered off course as it approached Mui Wo in Lantau. But he would not rule it out. A full report would not be released for two months, he said.
'I think [the accident] shouldn't have anything to do with mechanical parts, [the ferry] has been running continuously over the past 20 years, but ... we need to investigate, as you know men can fall sick as well.'
