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Following is the question by the Hon Wong Yung-kan and a written reply by the Secretary for Economic Development and Labour, Mr Stephen Ip, in the Legislative Council today (March 8):
Question:
Regarding the speed limits in Hong Kong waters and the past marine accidents, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) whether there are speed limits in the East Lamma Channel and other channels and fairways in Hong Kong; if so, of the speed limits set for the various channels and fairways; if no speed limit is set for the East Lamma Channel, the reasons for that, and whether it will consider setting a speed limit for that channel; if not, the reasons for that; and
(b) of the respective numbers of marine accidents that occurred in the past three years in the East Lamma Channel and each of the other channels and fairways with navigation speed limits, as well as the types of vessels, the casualties and the amounts of property loss involved?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) To ensure safe port operation, the Marine Department imposes speed limit in principal fairways and channels. In deciding on whether speed restrictions should be imposed on a particular channel or fairway, the Marine Department will consider factors such as the volume of traffic, the types of vessels using the fairway, the available manoeuvring water space and port efficiency. There is currently no speed limit on East Lamma Channel. Speed restrictions for other channels and fairways are set out at Annex 1.
The East Lamma Channel connects the Ngan Chau Pilot Station in the south and the Western Fairway west of Green Island in the north. It is mainly used by ocean-going vessels. A speed restriction of 15 knots is imposed on vessels navigating the Western Fairway. Ocean-going vessels entering Hong Kong through the East Lamma Channel have to reduce speed to pick up pilots at Ngan Chau Pilot Station before proceeding to the western harbour via the Western Fairway. When ocean-going vessels leave the Hong Kong Port, they also need to reduce speed on approaching Ngan Chau Pilot Station in the South for the pilots to disembark. As a result, the average speed for vessels sailing in the channel would normally not exceed 15 knots. Moreover, all ocean-going vessels in Hong Kong waters, including those ocean-going vessels in East Lamma Channel, are monitored by the Vessel Traffic Centre through the vessel traffic service system. The Marine Department therefore considers that it is not necessary to impose a speed restriction on the East Lamma Channel.
(b) In 2003-2005, one marine accident occurred in the East Lamma Channel and a total of 105 accidents occurred in channels and fairways with navigation speed limits. The breakdown of these marine accidents, the types of vessels involved and the number of causalities are set out at Annex 2. The Marine Department does not have statistics on property loss arising from marine accidents.
Ends/Wednesday, March 8, 2006
Issued at HKT 11:48
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