The Star Ferry Company has been urged to introduce more flexible work schedules for staff, following the death of a captain who was reportedly working his 23rd shift in a row without a day off.

The 47-year-old man collapsed and died on his ferry on Wednesday.

His wife told a radio programme that her husband had been exhausted.

"My husband had been working for 23 consecutive days, and he was on a night shift that day. He'd been saying that he was very tired. He had to take a yoga mat with him because it's not comfortable to sleep on the ferry," she said.

On the same programme, Siu Sin-man from the Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims described the company's roster arrangements as "unbelievable", adding that it should provide more flexible work patterns.

The Star Ferry expressed deep regret over the man's death. It said the roster schedules have been in place for a long time and they will now be reviewed.

The Labour Department, meanwhile, said it would be in contact with the ferry operator to make sure that the legal rights of its employees are being protected.