Thirteen frontline Government officers who helped save about 100 lives in Monday's Lamma Island ferry tragedy met the media today to discuss their role in the rescue operation, and express their sympathies over the 38 lives lost.

The panel comprised officers from the Police, Government Flying Service, Auxiliary Medical Service, and the Hospital Authority, along with fire and ambulance officers.

Fire launch officer Wong Tsz-kiu was among the first rescuers to arrive at the accident scene. He said he saw many people in the water calling for help.

Noting many passengers were trapped inside the half-sunken vessel, which was vertical with its bow out of the water and stern submerged, he and his colleagues risked their lives by breaking into the cabin and pulling passengers out. In a panic, many grabbed him tightly, while some were unconscious.

“I saw a family of three were on chairs up high, wailing for help. Suddenly, the chairs, the injured, my colleagues and me, fell into the water inside the cabin when I tried to help them.”

He ended up rescuing more than 30 people.

“If we had not broken the window to save the trapped from the water, the number of casualties may have increased a lot in this incident,” he said.

Fire services diver Hui Ka-chun sped to the scene from Penny’s Bay Fire Station with visions of the movie Titanic in his mind. But the reality was quite different to his imagination.

He said waves were high and the current was swift with low visibility, endangering rescuers. Having been involved in the rescue efforts when a Ukrainian cargo vessel sank in Hong Kong in 2008, Mr Hui said he knew the whistling he heard was from people calling for help, so he also broke into the cabin.

After rescuing several injured people, Mr Hui found a woman in the sea, losing her strength. He yelled encouragement to her, and she finally got out of the water.

He said he was moved by the bravery of the victims in dealing with their injuries, and the compassion of those who consoled others. He commended one of the passengers who helped in the rescue.

Marine Police officer Sergeant Lee Wai-him said he arrived at the scene to find up to 50 people trapped in the cabin. He had to talk the terrified passengers into going against their instincts, and letting go of whatever was keeping them afloat, so he could pull them to safety.

He was struck in the head by a falling ladder during the operation, and his colleague was hit badly by a falling anchor, suffering injuries to his ribs and knee. Despite his injuries, the officer gave his shoes to fireman Wong, who lost his while resuscitating an unconscious girl. Shoes were needed due to the broken glass scattered around the vessel.

Sergeant Lee thanked his superiors and the public for inspiring him.

"I am especially thankful to the Hong Kong people. During the rescue operation, some children, women and men asked me to rescue others, and to keep the good work going. This is the driving force of our work. As I kept on working, I did not feel any pain, even though I was injured."

Hospital Authority Nurse Specialist (Accident & Emergency) Harris Lam was at Ruttonjee & Tang Shiu Kin Hospital when 25 casualties arrived. He said he was touched by the team spirit he saw, as many hospital staff, including social workers and support staff, volunteered to stay behind to help. Some who went off duty, came back later with food and drinks for the staff who worked overnight.

He said he was most impressed by the fact the last two casualties to arrive were Sergeant Lee and his colleague. Nurse Lam asked why they came so late, and the officers said they wanted to save more lives.

The Auxiliary Medical Service and St John dispatched ambulances and personnel to support the rescue operation, while the Government Flying Service provided lighting at the accident scene.