A Lantau-bound Sun Ferry vessel ran aground near Hei Ling Chau in the early hours of Monday, prompting an evacuation of passengers and crew.
A Mui Wo-bound Sun Ferry vessel ran aground near Hei Ling Chau in the early hours of May 11, 2026. Photos: Screenshots.
A spokesperson for the Fire Service Department (FSD) told HKFP on Monday that 34 people were on board, including 29 passengers and five crew members. No injuries were reported.
The incident happened at around 12.55am on Monday, w
A Lantau-bound Sun Ferry vessel ran aground near Hei Ling Chau in the early hours of Monday, prompting an evacuation of passengers and crew.
A Mui Wo-bound Sun Ferry vessel ran aground near Hei Ling Chau in the early hours of May 11, 2026. Photos: Screenshots.
A spokesperson for the Fire Service Department (FSD) told HKFP on Monday that 34 people were on board, including 29 passengers and five crew members. No injuries were reported.
The incident happened at around 12.55am on Monday, when the First Ferry VI vessel, sailing the Central to Mui Wo route, ran aground and collided into the Hei Ling Chau typhoon shelter breakwater.
A total of four FSD boats, two ambulances and 60 firefighters and ambulatory medics were deployed, the spokesperson said by phone.
A passenger who gave his name as Adam told HKFP that “all of a sudden, the ship rammed violently into something.”
He added, “The sound during the collision [was] frightening, and the deceleration was so sudden and aggressive that it threw me off the seat.”
He said that there was momentary panic among passengers, but things calmed down quickly as the crew came to check on them.
Passengers donned life jackets and were transported by rescue boat to Mui Wo, he said.
Five days after the incident, a spokesperson for Sun Ferry told HKFP that the captain responsible “is currently not on navigational duty and is on leave.” They added that an investigation was now underway.
The Hong Kong government has introduced a string of measures to manage ecotourism hotspots in Sai Kung and Lantau Island, as a surge in visitors is expected during China’s upcoming Golden Week holiday.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said in a statement on Wednesday that it would deploy drones and additional staff to patrol several hotspots – including Sharp Island and High Island Reservoir’s East Dam in Sai Kung, as well as Shui Hau on Lantau – from Friday to T
The Hong Kong government has introduced a string of measures to manage ecotourism hotspots in Sai Kung and Lantau Island, as a surge in visitors is expected during China’s upcoming Golden Week holiday.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said in a statement on Wednesday that it would deploy drones and additional staff to patrol several hotspots – including Sharp Island and High Island Reservoir’s East Dam in Sai Kung, as well as Shui Hau on Lantau – from Friday to Tuesday.
Large crowds at Sharp Island, Sai Kung, on October 1, 2025. Photo: Greenpeace.
The announcement comes two days before Labour Day, a public holiday in Hong Kong and the start of a five-day Golden Week holiday in mainland China.
“In addition, the AFCD will conduct joint patrols with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) during the holiday to remind visitors not to litter, and the FEHD will also strengthen the cleaning of public areas on the island,” it said. “The AFCD will conduct joint sea patrols with the Marine Department and the Police to maintain order.”
The government has faced criticism over its management of ecological hotspots, especially after overtourism and visitors’ environmentally degrading behaviour during last year’s Golden Week holiday.
Jim Chu, assistant director at AFCD, said on RTHK on Wednesday that authorities expected 1,000 people to descend on Sharp Island daily during the Labour Day Golden Week – far higher than the average of 600 to 800 visitors during regular weekends and public holidays.
Sharp Island, Shui Hau
The coastal areas of Sharp Island and Shui Hau on Lantau Island are currently not designated as country parks, marine parks, or marine reserves, the AFCD said in the statement.
It also said it had installed footfall counters at the pier of Sharp Island and in Shui Hau to monitor visitor numbers and would set up booths and distribute leaflets to educate tourists about environmental protection and conservation.
“The AFCD is currently promoting environmental protection awareness among visitors through various publicity and educational efforts,” it said.
AFCD drone monitoring above the Po Pin Chau viewing platform near the East Dam of High Island Reservoir in Sai Kung. Photo: GovHK.
The AFCD will also cooperate with the WWF-Hong Kong to set up public education booths.
AFCD staff will “explain or advise” visitors if they display any potential behaviour that could cause ecological damage, such as damaging, disturbing, feeding, or collecting marine life, or entering the water near corals.
Greenpeace criticised the measures this week, saying they were advisory and lacked deterrence, describing them as “a toothless tiger.”
According to the NGO, the government is promoting 22 sites with high ecological value as tourist attractions, but they are not protected by Hong Kong’s environmental ordinances because they lie outside designated country parks and marine parks.
Sai Kung campsites
The AFCD also said it would step up monitoring of campsites at Ham Tin Wan, Sai Wan, and Long Ke Wan in Sai Kung East Country Park to reduce littering and maintain cleanliness.
AFCD staff member promoting environmental protection in a countryside campsite in Hong Kong. Photo: GovHK.
“The AFCD will deploy additional staff day and night to patrol, be stationed, enforce regulations against violations, and use drones and CCTV systems to assist in monitoring the campsites,” it said.
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