190 
Further exploration, evaluation, engineering development and processing re- 
Search have been carried out to enable the recovery of the specific manganese 
nodules of the Deposit and the production of products and byproducts therefrom. 
The work done, and in progress, is summarized in the annexed affidavits, Ex- 
hibits C and D. [1.L.M. pages 58 and 61.] 
Deepsea, or its successor in interest, will commence commercial production 
from the Deposit within 15 years (absent force majeure) from the date of this 
Claim, and will conclude production therefrom within a period (absent force 
majeure) of 40 years from the date of commencement of commercial production 
whereupon the right shall cease. 
Deepsea has been advised by Counsel, whose names appear at the end hereof, 
that it has validly established the exclusive rights asserted in this Claim under 
existing international law as evidenced by the practice of States, the 1958 
Convention on the High Seas, and general rules of law recognized by civilized 
nations. 
Deepsea asserts the exclusive rights to develop, evaluate and mine the De- 
posit and to take, use, and sell all of the manganese nodules in, and the minerals 
and metals derived, therefrom. It is proceeding with appropriate diligence to do 
so, and requests and requires States, persons, and all other commercial or po- 
litical entities to respect the exclusive rights asserted herein. Deepsea does not. 
assert, or ask the United States of America to assert, a territorial claim to the 
seabed or subsoil underlying the Deposit. Use of the overlying water column, as 
a freedom of the high seas, will be made to the extent necessary to recover and 
transport the manganese nodules of the Deposit. 
Disturbance of the seabed and subsoil underlying the Deposit will be tem- 
porary and will be restricted to that unavoidably occasioned by recovery of the 
manganese nodules of the Deposit. To facilitate the United States of America’s 
domestic policies and programs of environmental protection, Deepsea will pro- 
vide, at no cost, reasonable space for U.S. Government representatives of the 
United States of America on vessels utilized by Deepsea in the development and 
evaluation of the Deposit. Deepsea does not intend to process at sea the man- 
ganese nodules from the Deposit. 
It is Deepsea’s intention, by filing this Claim in your office and in appropriate 
State recording offices, to publish this Claim and provide notice and proof of the 
priority of the right of Deepsea to the Deposit, and its title thereto. 
A true copy of this Claim is being filed for recordation in the office of the Sec- 
retary of State of the State of Delaware, U.S.A., the State wherein Deepsea is 
incorporated, and on 15 November 1974 in the office of the Clerk of the Circuit 
Court of Gloucester County, Virginia, U.S.A., the county and Commonwealth 
of Deepsea’s principal place of business. Copies of this claim are also being pro- 
vided to others, as specified in the annexed Exhibit HE. [I.L.M. page 63. ] 
We ask that this Claim, and all of the annexed Exhibits, be made available 
by your office for public examination. 
Request for Diplomatic Protection and Protection of Integrity of Investment 
Deepsea respectfully requests the diplomatic protection of the United States 
Government with respect to the exclusive mining rights described and asserted 
in the foregoing Claim, and any other rights which may hereafter accrue to 
Deepsea as a result of its activities at the site of the Deposit, and similar pro- 
tection of the integrity of its investments heretofore made and now being under- 
taken, and to be undertaken in the future. 
This request is made prior to any known interference with the rights now being 
asserted, and prior to any known impairment of Deepsea’s investment. It is 
intended to give the Department immediate notice of Deepsea’s Claim for the pur- 
pose of facilitating the protection of Deepsea’s rights and investments should 
this be required as a consequence of any future actions of the United States Gov- 
ernment or other States, persons, or organizations. 
The protection requested accords with the assurances given on behalf of the Ex- 
ecutive Department to the Congress of the United States, including those by 
Ambassador John R, Stevenson, by Honorable Charles N. Brower, and by Honor- 
able John Norton Moore, as follows: 
“The Department does not anticipate any efforts to discourage U.S. nationals 
from continuing with their current exploration plans. In the event that US. 
nationals should desire to engage in commercial exploitation prior to the estab- 
blishment of an internationally agreed regime, we would seek to assure that 
their activities are conducted in accordance with relevant principles of inter- 
national law, including the freedom of the seas and that the integrity of their 
