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Following is a question by the Hon Law Chi-kwong and a written reply by the Secretary for Economic Services, Mr Stephen Ip, at the Legislative Council today (Wednesday)

Question :

Regarding the depths of water in Victoria Harbour, will the Government inform this Council of :

(a) the highest, lowest and average depths of water as well as the deepest and the shallowest locations in Victoria Harbour in each of the past ten years; and

(b) the causes of such variations in the depths of water in Victoria Harbour?

Reply:

Madam President,

(a) In the past ten years, there has been no major change in the water depth of major fairways in the Victoria Harbour, which is maintained at about 11 metres. The deepest point of the major fairways in the Victoria Harbour is at Lei Yue Mun which is about 43 metres. The shallowest point is at Yau Ma Tei fairway which is about seven metres.

(b) Due to geological conditions, water depth in the Victoria Harbour is affected by natural sedimentation. Marine Department will regularly survey the navigation channels, mooring buoy areas, and anchorages and carry out maintenance dredging to ensure that there is sufficient depth for the passage of ocean-going vessels in the major fairways.

End/Wednesday, April 28, 1999

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