Senior marine staff would not be questioned as part of the internal investigation into the Lamma ferry tragedy unless new information came to light, the city's transport chief insisted yesterday. His remarks came in the face of criticism about the limitations of the Marine Department investigating itself.
Secretary for Transport and Housing Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung gave his support to the ongoing internal investigation led by deputy director of marine Ivan Tung Hon-ming, saying higher ranking officers would look only into the conduct of lower ranking officers. This meant both Director of Marine Francis Liu Hon-por and Tung would not be investigated.
Cheung, speaking after the first meeting of the Steering Committee on Systemic Reform of the Marine Department, also addressed claims by victims' relatives that Liu failed to apologise over the National Day tragedy that claimed 39 lives.
"The director has already issued a statement which has expressed his regret over the whole incident. I think he has already apologised," he said.
"If there is new information that leads us to believe any other staff, or higher ranking staff, were involved, we would extend the scope of investigation."
Families had also called for an independent investigation into the Marine Department. Its "systematic failings" were identified in the commission of inquiry report into the collision.
