Marine Scientific Research in the United States

Article 254
Rights of neighbouring land-locked and geographically
disadvantaged States

1. States and competent international organizations which have submitted to
a coastal State a project to undertake marine scientific research referred
to in article 246, paragraph 3, shall give notice to the neighbouring
land-locked and geographically disadvantaged States of the proposed
research project, and shall notify the coastal State thereof.

2. After the consent has been given for the proposed marine scientific
research project by the coastal State concerned, in accordance with article
246 and other relevant provisions of this Convention, States and competent
international organizations undertaking such a project shall provide to the
neighbouring land-locked and geographically disadvantaged States, at their
request and when appropriate, relevant information as specified in article
248 and article 249, paragraph 1 (f).

3. The neighbouring land-locked and geographically disadvantaged States
referred to above shall, at their request, be given the opportunity to
participate, whenever feasible, in the proposed marine scientific research
project through qualified experts appointed by them and not objected to by
the coastal State, in accordance with the conditions agreed for the
project, in conformity with the provisions of this Convention, between the
coastal State concerned and the State or competent international
organizations conducting the marine scientific research.

4. States and competent international organizations referred to in
paragraph 1 shall provide to the above-mentioned land-locked and
geographically disadvantaged States, at their request, the information and
assistance specified in article 249, paragraph 1 (d), subject to the
provisions of article 249, paragraph 2.

Article 255
Measures to facilitate marine scientific research and assist
research vessels

States shall endeavour to adopt reasonable rules, regulations and
procedures to promote and facilitate marine scientific research conducted
in accordance with this Convention beyond their territorial sea and, as
appropriate, to facilitate, subject to the provisions of their laws and
regulations, access to their harbours and promote assistance for marine
scientific research vessels which comply with the relevant provisions of
this Part.

Article 256
Marine scientific research in the Area

All States, irrespective of their geographical location, and competent
international organizations have the right, in conformity with the
provisions of Part XI, to conduct marine scientific research in the Area.

Article 257
Marine scientific research in the water column beyond the
exclusive economic zone

All States, irrespective of their geographical location, and competent
international organizations have the right, in conformity with this
Convention, to conduct marine scientific research in the water column
beyond the limits of the exclusive economic zone.

SECTION 4. SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH INSTALLATIONS
OR EQUIPMENT IN THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT

Article 258
Deployment and use

The deployment and use of any type of scientific research installations or
equipment in any area of the marine environment shall be subject to the
same conditions as are prescribed in this Convention for the conduct of
marine scientific research in any such area.

Article 259
Legal status

The installations or equipment referred to in this section do not possess
the status of islands. They have no territorial sea of their own, and their
presence does not affect the delimitation of the territorial sea, the
exclusive economic zone or the continental shelf.

Article 260
Safety zones

Safety zones of a reasonable breadth not exceeding a distance of 500 metres
may be created around scientific research installations in accordance with
the relevant provisions of this Convention. All States shall ensure that
such safety zones are respected by their vessels.

Article 261
Non-interference with shipping routes

The deployment and use of any type of scientific research installations or
equipment shall not constitute an obstacle to established international
shipping routes.

Article 262
Identification markings and warning signals

Installations or equipment referred to in this section shall bear
identification markings indicating the State of registry or the
international organization to which they belong and shall have adequate
internationally agreed warning signals to ensure safety at sea and the
safety of air navigation, taking into account rules and standards
established by competent international organizations.

SECTION 5. RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY

Article 263
Responsibility and liability

1. States and competent international organizations shall be responsible
for ensuring that marine scientific research, whether undertaken by them or
on their behalf, is conducted in accordance with this Convention.

2. States and competent international organizations shall be responsible
and liable for the measures they take in contravention of this Convention
in respect of marine scientific research conducted by other States, their
natural or juridical persons or by competent international organizations,
and shall provide compensation for damage resulting from such measures.
3. States and competent international organizations shall be responsible
and liable pursuant to article 235 for damage caused by pollution of the
marine environment arising out of marine scientific research undertaken by
them or on their behalf.

SECTION 6. SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES AND
INTERIM MEASURES

Article 264
Settlement of disputes

Disputes concerning the interpretation or application of the provisions of
this Convention with regard to marine scientific research shall be settled
in accordance with Part XV, sections 2 and 3.

Article 265
Interim measures

Pending settlement of a dispute in accordance with Part XV, sections 2 and
3, the State or competent international organization authorized to conduct
a marine scientific research project shall not allow research activities to
commence or continue without the express consent of the coastal State
concerned.