Page 130 - Records of Bahrain (7) (ii)_Neat

520 Records oj Bahrain

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accords with local knowledge and custom and with tho
nature of tho sea-bed in that place, A shoal is
well-known to ho a shallow part of tho sea over which
small boats cannot pass at low tide and behind which
thoy can sheltor in rough weather, If there is no land
which is uncovered by the sea at low tide then tho
shoal must bo defined by the least possible depth in
ordor that these conditions may be fulfilled. This also

accords with tho definitions accoptod internationally
by experts. In all these circumstances it is clear that
the most convenient depth to choose for the definition
of this shoal would bo that of ono fathom, and I hopo
you will agroo to this. Tho figure of ten fathoms was
montionod on your side. This howovor would take in a
large area of the sea which provides no hindrance to
tho passago of boats and no shelter in caso of storm.
It also includes the entirely separate shoal of Fasht
al Joijah several miles to the east of Fasht bu Saafa.

To include all this area in Fasht bu Saafa v/ould bo
contrary to all the correct principles. It is also
clear from photographs that the Fasht bu Saafa is a
small well defined area of shallow depth in the
!
1 neighbourhood of the lighthouse and that the other shoal

( i is separated from it by a large area of deep water which
■ ! cannot bo called a shoal.
4. If wo can agree on a general settlement of this
boundary I would be prepared, in rosponso to Your

Majesty’s wish, to divide tho Baina islands betwcon us,
in spite of tho long standing claim which Bahrain has to
/both

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