Ferry was speeding, inquest is told, The Australian, 21 May, 2009.

Ferry was speeding, inquest is told
Stapleton, John.ย The Australianย [Canberra, A.C.T] 21 May 2009: 7.
Abstract
Harbour Bridge security guard Alusine Kamara said he had seenย theย [Pam Burridge] travelling "faster than normal".
Investigating officer Detective Senior Constable Brett Prentice said he had formedย theย view thatย theย masters of both vessels had failed in their duties in providing lookouts, travelling at inappropriate speeds (either too slow inย theย case of [Merinda] or too fast inย theย case ofย theย ferry) despite being in a crowded part ofย theย harbour with known difficulties.
Full Text
THEย Sydney Harbour ferry andย theย 10m wooden boat involved in a March 2007 fatal late-night collision had not posted proper lookouts and were both travelling at inappropriate speeds, a Sydney court heard yesterday.
Theย inquest intoย theย deaths of four people, all of whom were passengers on recreational boat Merinda, was toldย theย smaller boat did not have its navigation lights on when it was sliced in half byย theย ferry underย theย Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Water taxi driver Mark Williams, said he had seenย theย ferry Pam Burridge come out of Sydney Cove, speed up and then come to a sudden stop.
"I took notice of this because he stopped so suddenly, he came out doing eight knots, then flattened it full throttle to get home," Mr Williams said.
Harbour Bridge security guard Alusine Kamara said he had seenย theย Pam Burridge travelling "faster than normal".
He had heard a loud bang and had immediately alerted his superiors. Mr Kamara confirmed it had been a clear night and visibility had been excellent.
Investigating officer Detective Senior Constable Brett Prentice said he had formedย theย view thatย theย masters of both vessels had failed in their duties in providing lookouts, travelling at inappropriate speeds (either too slow inย theย case of Merinda or too fast inย theย case ofย theย ferry) despite being in a crowded part ofย theย harbour with known difficulties.
"It is an area of known vessel congestion ... an area of darkness. Both masters had failed to maintain a proper lookout," Constable Prentice said.
"I formedย theย view that ifย theย speed had been something else, there may have been time to react," he said.
Ice-skater Morgan Innes, 14, ice-skating judges Simone Moore and Alan Blinn, and Dr Blinn's friend James Engert were killed inย theย crash.
Theย inquest resumes today.
Credit:ย Johnย Stapleton