Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 49 Part 2.djvu/1344

3360 Who, after having communicated to each other their full powers, which were found to be in due and proper form, have agreed to the following articles:

The High Contracting Parties agree that vessels and rescue apparatus, public or private, of either country, may aid or assist vessels of their own nationality, including the passengers and crews thereof, which may be disabled or in distress on the shores or within the territorial waters of the other country within a radius of seven hundred and twenty nautical miles of the intersection of the International Boundary Line and the coast of the Pacific Ocean, or within a radius of two hundred nautical miles of the intersection of the International Boundary Line and the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.

The Commanding Officer, master, or owner of a vessel or rescue apparatus of either country, entering or intending to enter the territory or territorial waters of the other, in order to assist a distressed vessel, shall, at the earliest practicable moment, send notice of such action or intention to the competent authorities of the port of entry of that other country nearest the scene of distress. This notice may be sent by radio or telegraphic dispatch or by any other expeditious method of communication. Such vessel or apparatus may freely proceed to, and assist, the distressed vessel unless advised by such competent authorities that adequate assistance is available, or that, for any other reason, such assistance is not considered necessary.