34
Straits Regs.
a702/9.
1929
2. British Oversea Ports-Regulations for Visits of Foreign War Vessels and Service Aircraft accompanying them
(M. 960/27.-4.1.1929.)
The procedure regarding the visits of foreign war vessels and service aircraft accompanying them to British oversea ports is detailed in the following memorandum.
Copies of this Memorandum have been supplied to foreign governments. Use of wireless telegraphy and telephony by foreign warships and service aircraft in British waters is dealt with in A.F.O. 3/29.
Memorandum as to the Procedure regarding the Visits of Foreign War Vessels and
Service Aircraft accompanying them to British Oversea Ports.
In
Special permission is not necessary to enable foreign war vessels (including auxiliary vessels and transports) to visit British oversea ports, but previous notice of such visits should be forwarded through the usual diplomatic channels. Unless there are special circumstances rendering it impracticable, such notice should arrive at least seven days prior to the commencement of the proposed visit. cases of visits to small outlying possessions, considerably longer notice than seven days is desirable. The notice should give the number of vessels paying the visit and the name and class of each. If any of the vessels referred to above carry aircraft, a statement to this effect should be included in the notification of the visit.
2. The above rules do not apply to-
(a) Ships of war and auxiliary vessels on board of which are embarked Sovereigns, Members of a Sovereign's family, Presidents of Republics or their suites, or Ambassadors or Envoys to the Court of His Majesty the King.
(b) Ships of war and auxiliary vessels which are obliged by reason of damage sustained, perils of the sea or other unforseen causes to enter a British port.
(c) Ships of war and auxiliary vessels entitled to enter a British port under the terms of an international agreement which they are engaged in carrying out.
3. Foreign submarines should in no case attempt to submerge in territorial waters or to enter territorial waters in the submerged condition.
4. Shore leave may be given to unarmed sailors or soldiers subject to the concur- rence of the Governor General or Governor or other prescribed authority. If it is desired to land large numbers of men or bodies of men in military formation, adequate notice should always be given to the Governor General or Governor or corresponding local authority, in case special arrangements render it necessary to make any restrictions.
5. Officers landing are permitted to wear their swords.
6. Applications for permission to land armed parties should be addressed to the Governor General or Governor or other prescribed authority.
7. Torpedo and gunnery practices, mining and searchlight exercises, and exercises with armed boats are prohibited in British territory and territorial waters unless special permission has previously been obtained from the Governor General or Governor or other prescribed authority.
8. If the vessels paying the visit are to be accompanied by service aircraft not carried on board the vessels, this fact, together with the number and type of the aircraft, should be stated in the notice of the proposed visit. Steps can then be taken by the local authorities to carry out any requisite legal formalities. Except however, as may be necessary on their arrival or departure with war vessels which they accompany, no flights by foreign service aircraft over British territory or territorial waters may be made without special permission, any application for which should be made through the usual diplomatic channels or to the Governor General or Governor or other prescribed authority. The carriage of ammunition, bombs or photographic films or plates over British territory or territorial waters is in no case permitted.
9. Any special local regulations must be complied with.
ADMIRALTY,
October, 1923.