EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Order)
This Order establishes the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea adjacent to the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man is measured in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. It applies the relevant provisions of the United Nations Convention, with modifications, as set out in Schedule 1. The baseline is generally the low-water line around the coast, including the coast of all islands.
Between Cape Wrath and Laggan a straight baseline system is established in accordance with Article 7 of the Convention; this is defined by a series of straight lines joining specified points lying on the low-water line generally on the seaward side of the islands lying off the coast. Elsewhere, where there is a bay, a line not exceeding 24 nautical miles in length is drawn across the bay and will constitute the baseline.
The limits of the territorial sea derived from these baselines are shown on Admiralty Charts published by the UK Hydrographic Office and obtainable from Admiralty Chart agents.