Haiwen Secures Lenient Sentence for Oil Tanker Coxswain in Complex Hong Kong Maritime Case

海问律师事务所成功代表一艘油轮的船长(舵手)于香港一宗海事刑事案件中向法院陈情，成功为其争取较轻的监禁刑期，圆满结束这一历时逾一年的复杂案件。

Haiwen & Partners is pleased to announce that its Hong Kong Office has successfully represented the coxswain of an oil tanker in a Hong Kong maritime criminal case, securing a significantly reduced custodial sentence following a detailed and complex set of proceedings.

2024年底，该油轮在香港水域与一艘本地渔船相撞，导致渔船沉没及渔船船长不幸罹难。其后，油轮船长被警方拘捕，并被控以违反《船舶及港口管制条例》(第313章)第72条的“危害他人海上安全”罪。

In late 2024, the client’s oil tanker collided with a local fishing vessel in Hong Kong waters, resulting in the sinking of the fishing vessel and the loss of the fishing coxswain’s life. The tanker’s coxswain was subsequently arrested and charged with “endangering the safety of others” under section 72 of the Shipping and Port Control Ordinance (Cap. 313).

海问香港办公室接受委托后，全程为船长提供法律支援，包括就案件证据、潜在刑罚及辩护方案进行详尽分析，多次前往惩教所会见当事人，并出席相关聆讯。在充分评估各项因素后，船长决定承认控罪，并委托海问代表其向法院提出求情理由，争取从轻判刑。

Upon instruction, Haiwen’s Hong Kong dispute resolution team provided full legal representation throughout the proceedings, including a detailed review and analysis of the evidence, sentencing principles, and potential defences; regular visits to the client in custody; and attendance at multiple court hearings. After careful consideration, the coxswain elected to plead guilty and instructed Haiwen to advance strong mitigation submissions seeking a lenient sentence.

本案在事实与法律层面均相当复杂。碰撞事故发生于一条航道相对狭窄的水域，海问需详细研析该航段是否构成《商船（安全）（遇险讯号及避碰）规例》（第369N章）第9条所指的“狭窄水道”，以评估船长当时的操作与判断是否合理。案件自2024年底检控起诉，至2026年初法院方处理答辩及求情，充分体现了案件的复杂程度与技术性。

The case presented complex navigational and regulatory issues, particularly as the collision occurred in a narrow channel. The legal team examined whether the waterway constituted a “narrow channel” within the meaning of Rule 9 of the Merchant Shipping (Safety) (Signals of Distress and Prevention of Collisions) Regulations (Cap. 369N), in order to assess the reasonableness of the coxswain’s conduct at the material time. The prosecution commenced in late 2024 and the plea was taken in early 2026, reflecting the matter’s factual and procedural complexity.

在其他涉及故意以危险方式驾驶船只的案件中，法院曾以“危害他人海上安全”罪的最高刑罚的4年监禁作为量刑起点。经聆听辩方求情后，法院接纳了辩方所陈，本案并非出于船长的蓄意或危险行为所致，因此决定采纳较低的量刑起点。惟法院同时指出，船长对航行安全负有最终责任，而本案亦涉及人命，遂判处其14个月监禁。

In other cases involving deliberate dangerous navigation of a vessel, the Court has adopted four years’ imprisonment, the maximum penalty for the offence of “endangering the safety of others at sea”, as the starting point for sentencing. After hearing submissions in mitigation, the Court accepted that the incident did not arise from any deliberate or reckless act by the coxswain and accordingly adopted a lower starting point for sentencing. While recognising the coxswain’s overall responsibility for navigational safety, and considering that the accident caused a casualty, the court imposed a sentence of 14 months’ imprisonment.

海问香港合伙人刘洋律师表示：“该判决反映了法院对船员履行航行安全职责的严格要求，并提醒业界切勿忽视相关法律责任。此判决亦有助于促进香港水域航行安全及监管秩序。”他进而表示：“尽管案件源自一场不幸事故，客户和我们对最终结果感到满意。此案充分展现了海问在处理与航运相关的民商事及刑事案件的专业实力与系统经验，也体现了我们始终如一、维护客户最大利益的承诺。”

“This judgment underscores the court’s expectations of navigational safety and highlights the serious consequences of failing to meet such standards. It also reinforces protection for other users of Hong Kong waters,” said Edward Liu, Partner at Haiwen & Partners LLP. “Although this case arose from an unfortunate accident, both the client and we are satisfied with the outcome. It reflects our comprehensive capability in handling complex maritime matters, both civil and criminal, and our unwavering commitment to protecting our clients’ best interests,” Mr Liu added.

此案的成功处理进一步巩固了海问在海事争议解决领域的领先地位。无论海事海商抑或是海事相关刑事案件，海问始终致力于为客户提供高效、精准与优质的法律服务，力争取得令人满意的结果。

This case further consolidates Haiwen’s leading position in maritime dispute resolution. Whether acting in civil and commercial maritime litigation and arbitration or maritime related criminal defence, Haiwen remains dedicated to achieving satisfactory results for clients across all aspects of maritime law.

本案由海问香港办公室合伙人刘洋律师领衔，项目组成员包括吴华佳高级律师、黎淇瀚律师及欧政楠实习律师。辩方大律师为来自Wellington Chambers的丘治玮大律师。

The case was led by Edward Liu, supported by Lori Ng (Senior Associate), Aaron Lai (Associate) and Thomas Au (Trainee Solicitor). The defendant was represented by Mr. Billy Yau of Wellington Chambers.