File 6818/1920 'Muscat Levy Corps.' [‎141r] (286/296)

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bhould there be ou boiard the warship no commissioned officer
other than the commanding officer, the above-prescribed operations
may be carried out by the warrant, petty, or non-commissioned
officer highest in rank.
The captain or master of the vessel visited, as well as the wit
nesses, shall be invited to sign the 'proces-verbal, and shall have the
right to add to it any explanations which they may consider
f expedient.
d. If the authorisation to fly the flag cannot be produced, or if
this document is not in proper order, the vessel shah be conducted
to the nearest port in the zone where there is a competent authority
of the Power whose flag has been flown and shall be handed over to
such authority.
Should the nearest competent authority representing the Power
whose flag the vessel has flown be at some port at such a distance
from the point of arrest that the warship would have to leave her
station or patrol to escort the captured vessel to that port, the fore
going regulation need not be carried out. In such a case, the vessel
may be taken to the nearest port where there is a competent authority
of one of the High Contracting Parties of nationality other than that
of the warship, and steps shall at once be taken to notify the capture
to the competent authority representing the Power concerned.
No proceedings shall be taken against the vessel or her crew until
the arrival of the representative of the Power whose flag the vessel
was flying or without instructions from him.
4. The procedure laid down in paragraph 3 may be followed if,
after the verification of the flag and in spite of the production of the
manifest, the commander of the warship continues to suspect the
native vessel of engaging in the illicit conveyance of arms or ammuni
tion.
The High Contracting Parties concerned shall appoint in the zone
territorial or consular authorities or special representatives competent
to act in the foregoing cases, and shall notify their appointment to
the Central Office and to the other Contracting Parties.
The suspected vessel may also be handed over to a warship of the
nation whose flag she has flown, if the latter consents to take charge
of her.
Article 17.
The High Contracting Parties agree to communicate to the Central
Office specimen forms of the documents mentioned in Articles 12, 13,
14, and 15, as well as a detailed list of the licences granted in accord
ance with the provisions of this Chapter whenever such licences are
granted.
Article 18.
The authority before whom the suspected vessel has been brought
shah institute a full enquiry in accordance with the laws and rules
of his country in the presence of an officer of the capturing warship.
If it is proved at this enquiry that the flag has been illegally
flown, the detained vessel shall remain at the disposal of the captor,
t
f,