Executive Agreement Series No. 31
862.8561/6
The German Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Bülow) to the American Ambassador in Germany (Sackett)
Mr. Ambassador: In reply to your communication No. 585 of September 11, 1931, relative to the conclusion of an agreement between Germany and the United States of America concerning mutual recognition of the load line regulations of the other country, I have the honor to inform Your Excellency as follows:
Since the German “Regulations of the See-Berufsgenossenschaft (Mairitime Cooperative Association) Governing the Freeboard of Steamers and Sailing Vessels on Long Voyages and Atlantic Voyages as well as Extended Coasting Navigation” and the corresponding “Regulations for the Establishment of Load Lines for Merchant Vessels of 250 Gross Tons or Over When Engaged in a Foreign Voyage by Sea” of the United States of America, have been examined by both parties and recognized as equivalent, the Government of the Reich agrees to the conclusion of a reciprocal agreement governing the acceptance by each Government of the freeboard regulations of the other, the load line marks, and the certificates of such marking of [Page 319] merchant vessels—this agreement to be effective beginning today until the international convention governing the freeboard of merchant vessels becomes effective in both countries:—provided, that the load line marks are in accordance with the load line certificates; that the hull or superstructures of the vessel certificated has not been so materially altered since the issuance of the certificate as to affect the calculations on which the load line was based, and that alterations have not been made so that the:
- (1)
- Protection of openings,
- (2)
- Guard rails,
- (3)
- Freeing ports,
- (4)
- Means of access to Crews Quarters
have made the vessel manifestly unfit to put to sea without danger to human life.
I take [etc.]