Art. 32. The following mode of procedure, subject to any special treaty stipulations, is to be followed by the boarding vessel, whose colors must be displayed at the time:
The vessel is brought to by firing a gun with blank charge. If this is not sufficient to cause her to lie to, a shot is fired across the bows, and in case of flight or resistance force can be used to compel the vessel to surrender.
The boarding vessel should then send one of its smaller boats alongside, with an officer in charge wearing side arms, to conduct the search. Arms may be carried in the boat, but not upon the persons of the men. When the officer goes on board of the vessel he may be accompanied by not more than two men, unarmed, and he should at first examine the vessel's papers to ascertain her nationality, the nature of the cargo, and the ports of departure and destination. If the papers show contraband, an offense in respect of blockade, or enemy service, the vessel should be seized; otherwise she should be released, unless suspicious circumstances justify a further search. If the vessel be released, an entry in the log book to that effect should be made by the boarding officer.
Art. 33. Irrespective of the character of her cargo, or her purported destination, a neutral vessel should be seized if she:
(1) Attempts to avoid search by escape; but this must be clearly evident.
(2) Resists search with violence.
(3) Presents fraudulent papers.
(4) Is not supplied with the necessary papers to establish the objects of search.
(5) Destroys, defaces, or conceals papers.
The papers generally expected to be on board of a vessel are: