Haiwen Secures Lenient Sentence for Oil Tanker Coxswain in Complex Hong?Kong Maritime Case
海問律師事務所成功代表一艘油輪的船長(舵手)于香港一宗海事刑事案件中向法院陳情，成功為其爭取較輕的監禁刑期，圓滿結束這一歷時逾一年的復雜案件。
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，該油輪在香港水域與一艘本地漁船相撞，導致漁船沉沒及漁船船長不幸罹難。其后，油輪船長被警方拘捕，并被控以違反《船舶及港口管制條例》(第313章)第72條的“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).
海問香港辦公室接受委托后，全程為船長提供法律支援，包括就案件證據、潛在刑罰及辯護方案進行詳盡分析，多次前往懲教所會見當事人，并出席相關聆訊。在充分評估各項因素后，船長決定承認控罪，并委托海問代表其向法院提出求情理由，爭取從輕判刑。
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.
本案在事實與法律層面均相當復雜。碰撞事故發生于一條航道相對狹窄的水域，海問需詳細研析該航段是否構成《商船（安全）（遇險訊號及避碰）規例》（第369N章）第9條所指的“狹窄水道”，以評估船長當時的操作與判斷是否合理。案件自2024年底檢控起訴，至2026年初法院方處理答辯及求情，充分體現了案件的復雜程度與技術性。
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險方式駕駛船只的案件中，法院曾以“危害他人海上安全”罪的最高刑罰的4年監禁作為量刑起點。經聆聽辯方求情后，法院接納了辯方所陳，本案并非出于船長的蓄意或危險行為所致，因此決定采納較低的量刑起點。惟法院同時指出，船長對航行安全負有最終責任，而本案亦涉及人命，遂判處其14個月監禁。
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.
海問香港合伙人劉洋律師表示：“該判決反映了法院對船員履行航行安全職責的嚴格要求，并提醒業界切勿忽視相關法律責任。此判決亦有助于促進香港水域航行安全及監管秩序。”他進而表示：“盡管案件源自一場不幸事故，客戶和我們對最終結果感到滿意。此案充分展現了海問在處理與航運相關的民商事及刑事案件的專業實力與系統經驗，也體現了我們始終如一、維護客戶最大利益的承諾。”
“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.
此案的成功處理進一步鞏固了海問在海事爭議解決領域的領先地位。無論海事海商抑或是海事相關刑事案件，海問始終致力于為客戶提供高效、精準與優質的法律服務，力爭取得令人滿意的結果。
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.
本案由海問香港辦公室合伙人劉洋律師領銜，項目組成員包括吳華佳高級律師、黎淇瀚律師及歐政楠實習律師。辯方大律師為來自Wellington Chambers的丘治瑋大律師。
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.
Haiwen Secures Lenient Sentence for Oil Tanker Coxswain in Complex Hong?Kong Maritime Case
海問律師事務所成功代表一艘油輪的船長(舵手)于香港一宗海事刑事案件中向法院陳情，成功為其爭取較輕的監禁刑期，圓滿結束這一歷時逾一年的復雜案件。
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，該油輪在香港水域與一艘本地漁船相撞，導致漁船沉沒及漁船船長不幸罹難。其后，油輪船長被警方拘捕，并被控以違反《船舶及港口管制條例》(第313章)第72條的“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).
海問香港辦公室接受委托后，全程為船長提供法律支援，包括就案件證據、潛在刑罰及辯護方案進行詳盡分析，多次前往懲教所會見當事人，并出席相關聆訊。在充分評估各項因素后，船長決定承認控罪，并委托海問代表其向法院提出求情理由，爭取從輕判刑。
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.
本案在事實與法律層面均相當復雜。碰撞事故發生于一條航道相對狹窄的水域，海問需詳細研析該航段是否構成《商船（安全）（遇險訊號及避碰）規例》（第369N章）第9條所指的“狹窄水道”，以評估船長當時的操作與判斷是否合理。案件自2024年底檢控起訴，至2026年初法院方處理答辯及求情，充分體現了案件的復雜程度與技術性。
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險方式駕駛船只的案件中，法院曾以“危害他人海上安全”罪的最高刑罰的4年監禁作為量刑起點。經聆聽辯方求情后，法院接納了辯方所陳，本案并非出于船長的蓄意或危險行為所致，因此決定采納較低的量刑起點。惟法院同時指出，船長對航行安全負有最終責任，而本案亦涉及人命，遂判處其14個月監禁。
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.
海問香港合伙人劉洋律師表示：“該判決反映了法院對船員履行航行安全職責的嚴格要求，并提醒業界切勿忽視相關法律責任。此判決亦有助于促進香港水域航行安全及監管秩序。”他進而表示：“盡管案件源自一場不幸事故，客戶和我們對最終結果感到滿意。此案充分展現了海問在處理與航運相關的民商事及刑事案件的專業實力與系統經驗，也體現了我們始終如一、維護客戶最大利益的承諾。”
“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.
此案的成功處理進一步鞏固了海問在海事爭議解決領域的領先地位。無論海事海商抑或是海事相關刑事案件，海問始終致力于為客戶提供高效、精準與優質的法律服務，力爭取得令人滿意的結果。
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.
本案由海問香港辦公室合伙人劉洋律師領銜，項目組成員包括吳華佳高級律師、黎淇瀚律師及歐政楠實習律師。辯方大律師為來自Wellington Chambers的丘治瑋大律師。
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.
Beijing ICP No. 05019364-1 Beijing Public Network Security 110105011258
