The vessel collision near Lamma Island in early October caused scores of injuries and deaths. The Institute of Space and Earth Information Science (ISEIS) of CUHK had provided ocean environment data to the Marine Department to help the investigation of the tragedy. Prof. Pan Jiayi of ISEIS generated information of ocean surface currents on the day of accident and the week after by using the fine forecasting technology for Hong Kong coastal ocean dynamic environment supported by the Hong Kong Innovation & Technology Fund. Professor Pan said, based on the system prediction results, the surface currents reached maximums of the year at the collision time caused by the highest astronomical tide that probably had some effects on the vessel collision.

The ISEIS has also proposed to the government to set up a network of buoys deployed in Hong Kong waters which can provide the public and government departments with real-time marine environmental data to help monitor the navigation environment.