2. INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION RELATING TO INTER- 

 VENTION ON THE HIGH SEAS IN CASES OF OIL 

 POLLUTION CASUALTIES, NOVEMBER 29, 1969. NOT 

 IN FORCE'' 



Done at Brussels November 29^ 1969; Ratification advised by the Sen- 

 ate September 20, 1971; Ratified by the President October 13, 1971; 

 Ratification deposited February 21, 197 Jp. 



The States Parties to the present Convention, 



Conscious of the need to protect the interests of their peoples 

 against the grave consequences of a maritime casualty resulting in 

 danger of oil pollution of sea and coastlines, 



Convinced that under these circumstances measures of an excep- 

 tional character to protect such interests might be necessary on the 

 high seas and that these measures do not affect the principle of freedom 

 of the high seas, 



Have agreed as follows : 



Article I 



1. Parties to the present Convention may take such measures on the 

 high seas as may be necessary to prevent, mitigate or eliminate grave 

 and imminent dangers to their coastline or related interests from pol- 

 lution or threat of pollution of the sea by oil, following upon a mari- 

 time casualty or acts related to such a casualty, which may reasonably 

 be expected to result in major harmful consequences. 



2. However, no measures shall be taken under the present Con- 

 vention against any warship or other ship owned or operated by a 

 State and used, for the time being, only on government non-com- 

 mercial service. 



Article II 



For the purposes of the present Convention : 



1. "maritime casualty" means a collision of ships, stranding or other 

 incident of navigation, or other occurrence on board a ship or external 

 to it resulting in material damage or imminent threat of material 

 damage to a ship or cargo ; 



2. "ship" means: 



{a) any sea-going vessel of any type whatsoever, and 

 {b) any floating craft, with the exception of an installation or 

 device engaged in the exploration and exploitation of the resources 

 of the sea-bed and the ocean floor and subsoil thereof ; 



3. "oil" means crude oil, fuel oil, diesel oil and lubricating oil ; 



'* Source: 91st Congress, 2d session. Senate. Executive G. 



Ratified 'by: Belgium, Denmark, Fiji, France, Japan, Liberia, Norway, Senegal, Spain, 

 Sweden, United Kingdom (extended to Hong Kong), United States, as of Dec. 31, 1974 

 (Entry into force requires ratification by 15 nations). 



Implementing legislation: Intervention on the High Seas Act; Public Law 93-248 

 [S. 1070], 88 Stat. 8, approved February 5, 1974. 



(473) 



