View report page

INSTRUCTIONS
I. THE MASTER of a ship approaching LONDON from a Foreign Port MUST
(1) Ascertain the health of all persons on board.
(2) Complete and sign this Maritime Declaration of Health
(3) Hand this Declaration to the Customs Officer or Port Medical Officer,
whoever first visits the ship.
II. If the answer to any question on page one is 'YES', or - EXCEPT IN THE CASE
OF TANKERS-
If during the last FOUR WEEKS the ship has called at ANY PORT in all ASIA,
AFRICA, SOUTH AMERICA OR CENTRAL AMERICA (excluiing transit
through the Panama Canal)—
THE MASTER MUST-
(1) Send a wireless message to 'PORTELTH' LONDON stating;-
NAME OF SHIP
EXFECTED TIME OF ARRIVAL AT GRAVESEND
NUMBER, AGES and SEX of ALL CASES OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE
This message to be sent not less than 4 or more than 12 hours before the
expected time of arrival at Gravesend.
(2) SIGNAL - From MUCKING No. 5 BUOY until PRATIQUE is GRANTED.
BY DAY - FLY the Flag Signal L I M
BY NIGHT—Show a RED Light over a WHITE Light
(3) If a Ship's Surgeon is not carried, have the crew mustered ready for
inspection by the Port Medical Officer as soon as he boards the ship.
(4) NOT proceed beyond Gravesend Pilot Station until visited by the Port
Medical Officer.
III. If the answers to all the questions on page 1 are 'NO', and the ship has not
called during the previous FOUR weeks at any of the Ports mentioned above,
the Master need not communicate with the Port Health Authority unless directed
to do so by a Customs Officer.
IV. The Master of a ship approaching the Port of London who has any doubts or
difficulties over Port Health Regulations should obtain advice direct from the
Port Medical Officer, through the Thames Navigation Service (V.H.F. R/T).
It is also possible for ships without V.H.F. R/T to consult the Port Medical
Officer through North Foreland Radio Station. Information and advice on any
other medical problems are available by the same channels.
NOTE—Article 18(1) of the regulations states:— 'On arrival of a ship from any foreign
port or from an infected area which is not a foreign port, no person other
than a Pilot, a Customs Officer, an Immigration Officer or an authorised
officer shall, without the permission of the Medical Officer, board or leave
the ship until it is free from control under these regulations, and the Master
shall take all steps necessary to secure compliance with this provision.'
2. Radio messages
(a) Arrangements for sending permission by radio for ships to enter the district (Regulation
13)
(b) Arrangements for receiving messages by radio from ships and for acting thereon (Regulation
14(1) (a) and (2) )
The Thames Navigation Service of the Port of London Authority has its Operation Room at
Gravesend and keeps in contact with ships coming up the River Thames on radio frequencies
allocated in accordance with international agreement.
The Boarding vessels "HUMPHREY MORRIS" and the "VICTOR ALLCARD" are fitted with
radio/telephone equipment on the International frequencies giving direct radio/telephone communication
with shipping and with other river services including H.M. Customs.
In addition the Port Health Authority has its own radio/telephone link between the Hulk
"HYGEIA" (the 'office' and mooring station at Gravesend), the "HUMPHREY MORRIS" and
"VICTOR ALLCARD" and the Operations Room.
11