Central African Republic
Practice Relating to Rule 32. Humanitarian Relief Objects
The Central African Republic’s Instructor’s Manual (1999) states in Volume 2 (Instruction for group and patrol leaders) that “the following ships may be neither captured nor attacked: … coastal rescue boats; … cartel ships (sailing under special agreements); … shipping vessels with a religious … or philanthropic mission”.
Also in Volume 2, the manual states:
Specially protected means of transport are authorized to carry out their mission as long as necessary. Their mission, content and actual use may be checked through an inspection. … coastal rescue boats … must never hamper the movement of combatants. During an engagement they act at their own risk.
Volume 2 further states that “in case of doubt a ship can reasonably be stopped and searched to ascertain its status. If it refuses to stop or resists being visited and searched it may be destroyed after a warning to this effect has been given.”