§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
What, in their view, is the maximum draft for ships safely to navigate the Dover Strait.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport (Lord Brabazon of Tara)This depends on a number of factors, for example the height of the tide at the time, the required navigable width and the underkeel allowance which needs to be made; and it is for the master of a ship to decide in the prevailing circumstances and in the light of such factors whether he can safely take his vessel through what is an international strait.
However, I share my predecessors' view that ships of up to 68 foot draught can safely navigate the Dover Strait at low water, but that the regular passage of ships of more than 68 foot draught creates an increased risk of a serious accident in those waters.