Lamma Island Revisited
By Cindy Xu Xin and Ma Ning
Local community on Lamma island is still recovering from the economic blow and the emotional distress caused by the ferry collision that happened a month ago.
Some local residents said their business has experienced a significant downturn due to a tourism decline, among which restaurants are hit especially hard. Ms So Hiu-ngan, who runs the “the Green Cottage” with her husband, said their restaurant’s revenue has dropped by 60% since the disaster.
“The entire street receives fewer visitors… If I were a tourist, I’d also be concerned. Because if an accident occurs in a boat, it will be much harder to escape,” said So.
Last month witnessed the worst maritime accident in Hong Kong in more than 40 years. At least 39 passengers on the boat owned by Hong Kong Electric died when the vessel collided with another boat heading to Yung Shue Wan with mostly Lamma residents on board on the night of Oct 1.
The Hong Kong Electric boat carrying the company staff and their families was headed to Central for the annual firework display commemorating the National Day of China.
In the aftermath of the disaster, some accusations surfaced in the online community criticizing the Lamma ferry for turning away after it hit the boat on the port side and caused its sinking afterwards.
“It was the fault of the captain. We could do nothing about it,” said Mr Wong King Kwam, a Lamma local who owns a Sichuan cuisine restaurant.
Wong said his business has dropped by more than one third and the outside misconception of Lamma people might have contributed to the slack.
Staffers at the Yung Shue Wan Ferry Terminal refused to comment on whether the number of passengers has decreased since the ferry disaster.
As of this writing, the Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry company has not responded by email, as it preferred, to questions about the changes in its business.
Many Lamma islanders expressed their condolences to the victims in the ferry disaster. “I go to the pier every night to have a walk and sit for a while. Those offerings and flowers people sent to the dead are still there. It makes me feel sad,” said Mr Fong Man-sang, a 78-year-old Lamma resident.
Government and social institutions are providing psychological counseling and support service to people who have suffered post-traumatic distress disorder, such as the Social Welfare Department, Red Cross Hong Kong and Hans Andersen Club Lamma Island Center.
The Hong Kong police are still appealing for public member to provide information about the vessel collision, as stated on the police’s posters almost ubiquitous in Lamma. A High Court judge and a former audit director were appointed two weeks ago to conduct an inquiry into the accident, according to South China Morning Post.
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