AN island in the middle of the harbour has appeared on the territory's marine charts for the first time.
Despite being visible from Kowloon Bay, Hunghom, North Point and Quarry Bay, Kowloon Rock has just appeared on navigation charts.
Marine Department hydrographer Nick Emerson said his staff had been out in a boat, doing preliminary survey work for the first marine charts to be produced locally, when they were surprised to find a large rock near the airport.
The first Hong Kong-produced marine chart has just been produced. Previously, charts were produced by the Admiralty.
'The Admiralty had for many years published that map of the Central Harbour and they had Kowloon Rock under water,' he said.
The rock is permanently above water and is large enough to count officially as an island.