scope:

This instruction sets forth port clearance procedures applicable to foreign naval vessels seeking entry to U.S. ports, and foreign public vessels seeking entry into U.S. Navy ports, with the following exceptions:

a. Foreign Naval Vessels Temporarily Under Operational Control of U.S. Navy. U.S. commanders exercising temporary operational control of foreign naval vessels shall arrange visits to U.S. ports, or U.S. territories, for those vessels utilizing the standard procedures for visits by U.S. Navy vessels. (See paragraph 8.) The port visit request must include coordination with Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) (N2L) and Department of State, Office of International Security and Peacekeeping Operations (PM/ISP), to ensure the responsibilities of paragraph 6 are met.

b. Foreign Naval Vessels Entering Naval Defensive Sea Areas, Areas under U.S. Naval Administration, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (Palau). This instruction is applicable to all foreign naval vessels seeking entry into U.S. ports within the areas listed above. In addition to U.S. Navy port visit authorization, port visit authorization is required by the host country. Examples include Midway Island, Guam and Diego Garcia. For the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (Palau), port visit authorization must also be obtained under the provisions set forth in reference (a).

c. Foreign Naval Vessels Carrying Cargo Ammunition. All foreign naval vessels, regardless of nationality, carrying cargo ammunition will submit port visit requests in accordance with this instruction (exceptions contained in paragraph 8 do not apply). In addition, they must comply with the same requirements applicable to USN cargo ammunition ships, as stated in reference (b).

d. Foreign Public Vessels Seeking Entry into Military U.S. Ports. Public vessels (foreign government-owned ships operating for non-commercial purposes) seeking visits to U.S. Navy ports shall submit port visit requests in accordance with this instruction. This instruction does not apply to public vessels seeking entry into non-military U.S. ports.

e. Requests by Foreign Vessels to Conduct Marine Data Collection in U.S. Waters. This instruction does not apply to requests from foreign vessels to conduct marine data collection in the U.S. territorial sea/Exclusive Economic Zone or on the U.S. Continental shelf. Such requests shall normally be forwarded to the Department of State. The Department of State shall notify CNO, (N3/N5L) of all requests. CNO (N3/N5L) shall ensure all appropriate fleet commanders, other OPNAV (Office of the Chief of Naval Operations) codes and NAVOCEANO (Naval Oceanographic Office) are informed of the nature, duration, and area of research. CNO (N3/N5L) shall be responsible for forwarding objections, approvals, or requests for additional information to the Department of State.