68993-1920-Supplementary-Notices-to-Mariners — Page 2

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NOTICE TO MARINERS, No. 697.

Regulations for Chinese vessels regarding the destruction of mines.

NOTICE is hereby given that the Ministry of the Navy has promulgated the following Regulations for the encouragement of mine destruction by Chinese vessels.

REGULATIONS FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF MINE DESTRUCTION.

I.-Every Chinese vessel which on observing a mine at sea shall destroy the same shall be entitled to an award of not less than $50 and not exceeding $100.

II.---Every vessel entitled to an award under Article I shall draw up a formal appli- cation supported by appropriate evidence, to be handed in to the office of the nearest Naval Authority for submission to the Ministry of Navy. The application should state the following particulars :--

(a.) Date and time of day of occurrence.

(b.) Place.

(c.) Depth of water.

(d.) Method of destruction (rifle or gun fire).

(e.) Distance of ship from mine at time of destruction.

(f.) Type of mine.

(g.) Whether or not the mine carried flag or other marks. Either of the

following will be considered "appropriate evidence referred to above:-

(i.) Photographs taken before or at the time of destruction of the mine. (ii) The written testimony of not less than two persons present at the

time of the destruction of the mine.

III.-Vessels which observe mines but are unable to destroy them shall not proceed without authority to salve such mines, but shall mark their position and report it to the Naval Authorities.

IV. On report being made under Article III to the nearest Naval Authority, such authority shall, when satisfied of the correctness of the report, issue an award of not less. than $20 and not more than $50.

V.—When a stranded mine which is seen for the first time is immediately reported, the person making the report shall receive an award of $10..

VI.--Mines observed by vessels shall not be sunk in any fairway in water less than 7 fathoms deep. This restriction shall not, however, apply to mines drifting directly towards a vessel at anchor.

VII. No vessel is to approach within 200 yards of a mine in the act of destroying it

VIII. No vessel shall be entitled to claim compensation for damage sustained through destruction of a mine.

IX. These Regulations shall not apply to ships of war.

X.-These Regulations shall apply from the date of their promulgation. The date of their cancellation shall, when the occasion arises, be published by the Ministry of Navy.

By Order of the Inspector General of Customs,

THE MARITIME CUSTOMS,

COAST INSPECTOR'S OFFICE,

SHANGHAI, 2nd February, 1920.

T. J. ELDRIDGE, Coast Inspector.