309 



Article 27 



Every State shall take the necessarjr legislative measures to provide 

 that the breaking or injury by a ship> flying its flag or by a person 

 subject to its jurisdiction of a submarine cable beneath the high seas 

 done wilfully or through culpable negligence, in such a manner as to 

 bo liable to interrupt or obstruct telegraphic or telephonic communica- 

 tions, and similarly the breaking or mjury of a submarine pipeline or 

 high-voltage power cable shall be a punishable offence. This pro- 

 vision shall not apply to any break or injury caused by persons who 

 acted merely with the legitimate object of saving their lives or their 

 bhips, after having taken all necessary precautions to avoid such break 

 or injury. 



Article 28 



Every State shall take the necessary legislative measures to provide 

 that, if persons subject to its jurisdiction who are the owners of a cable 

 or pipeline beneath the high seas, in laying or repairing that cable or 

 pipeline, cause a break in or injury to another cable or pipeline, they 

 shall bear the cost of the repairs. 



Article 29 



Every State shall take the necessary legislative measures to ensure 

 that the owners of ships who can prove that they have sacrificed an 

 anchor, a net or any other fishing gear, in order to avoid injuring a 

 submarine cable or pipeline, shall be indemnified by the owner of the 

 cable or pipeline, provided that the owner of the ship has taken all 

 reasonable precautionary measures beforehand. 



Article 30 



The provisions of this Convention shall not affect conventions or 

 other international agreements already in force, as between States 

 Parties to them. 



Article 31 



This Convention shall, until 31 October 1958, be open for signature 

 by all States Members of the United Nations or of any of the special- 

 ized agencies, and by any other State invited by the General Assembly 

 of the United Nations to become a Party to the Convention. 



Article 32 



This Convention is subject to ratification. The instruments of rati- 

 fication shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United 

 Nations. 



Article 33 



This Convention shall be oi)en for accession by any States belonging 

 to any of the categories mentioned in article 31. The instruments of 

 accession shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United 

 Nations. 



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