On 14 February 2015 , `` Sea Smooth '' ′s captain Lai Sai-ming was convicted of 39 counts of manslaughter over the deaths , while `` Lamma IV '' ′s captain Chow Chi-wai was acquitted Judgment_communication of the same charges by the High Court .

On 16 February , Lai and Chow were sentenced Rewards_and_punishments to eight years ' and nine months ' imprisonment respectively .