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ing Buoy:-
Show or give the following signals:—
(a) the international three-flag signal L I M flown at the masthead or where it can be
seen from the shore until instructed by the Port Health Authority or a Customs
Officer that it is no longer necessary; and
(b) betweem sunset and sunrise, either:—
(i) the signal LIM flashed in the Morse code by lamp, at thirty second intervals,
or
(ii) a signal consisting of a red light over a white light, the lights being not
more than six feet apart, shown at the peak or where the signal can best be
seen from the shore,
such signals to be given from No. 1 Sea Reach 3uoy until an authorised officer of the
Port Health Authority or a Customs Officer has boarded the ship.
(2) If your ship is proceeding to a mooring or berth up river of No. 1 Mucking Buoy:-
Show or give the following signals:—
(a) the international three-flag signal LIM flown at the masthead or where it can best
be seai from the shore until instructed by the Port Health Authority or a Customs
Officer that it is no longer necessary; and
(b) between sunset and sunrise, either:—
(i) the signal L I M flashed in the Morse code by lamp, at thirty second intervals
or
(ii) a signal consisting of a red light over a white light, the lights being not
more than six feet apart, shown at the peak where the signal can best be
seen from the shore,
such signals to be given from No. 1 Mucking Buoy until an authorised officer of the
Port Health Authority or a Customs Officer has boarded the ship.
(c) have a list of passengers and crew ready to hand to the Boarding Medical Officer
giving addresses of immediate destination in the United Kingdom.
IV The procedure set out in III (B) (2) above will expedite the boarding of your ship by the
Medical Officer and this will normally take place in the Lower Hope Reach. To avoid delay
to your ship you should, on sighting the Medical Officer's Launch, reduce speed sufficiently
for it to come along side. Hand this Declaration to the Medical Officer together with lists
of names and addresses for all passengers and crew. You must not proceed up River beyond
Gravesend Pilot Station until your ship has been cleared from health control.
V If the answer to all the questions on page one is 'NO' AND the ship has not called during the
last 28 days at a Port in any of the places mentioned in paragraph III above, health clearance
of your ship will be dealt with by an Officer of H.M. Customs on your arrival at your berth.
In these circumstances you need not communicate with the Port Health Authority and your
ship will not be boarded by the Medical Officer.
VI If your ship has been in any port in all Asia, Africa (including transit through the Suez Canal)
or the Americas (excluding the U.S.A., Canada and transit through the Panama Canal), during
the last 14 days, OR any area locally infected with smallpox at any time during the same
period, you must have ready for inspection by the Medical Officer as soon as he boards your
ship:—
(a) a valid International Vaccination Certificate against Smallpox for each person
on board (passenger or crew).
or (b) a list, signed by you, of all passengers and crew members, giving the date of
last vaccination against smallpox for each person, as recorded in his certificate,
(Provision of this list does not prejudice the Medical Officer's right to inspect
the actual certificates if he considers it necessary, but will help considerably
to cut down delay in clearing the ship).
VII 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 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 Medical Officer through North Foreland Radio Station. Information and
advice on any other medical problems are available by the same channels.
NOTE: Regulation 18 (1) of the Public Health (Ships) Regulations, 1966 states:-
'On the arrival of a ship from any foreign port or from any infected area which is not
a foreign port, no person other than a Pilot, a Customs Officer, and 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'.
W.G. SWANN,
Guildhall, Medical Officer of Health,
London, E.C.2. Port and City of London.
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