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Article 7
Straight baselines
1. In localities where the coastline is deeply indented and cut into, or
if there is a fringe of islands along the coast in its immediate vicinity, the
method of straight baselines joining appropriate points may be employed in
drawing the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.
2. Where because of the presence of a delta and other natural
conditions the coastline is highly unstable, the appropriate points may be
selected along the furthest seaward extent of the low-water line and,
notwithstanding subsequent regression of the low-water line, the straight
baselines shall remain effective until changed by the coastal State in
accordance with this Convention.
3. The drawing of straight baselines must not depart to any appreciable
extent from the general direction of the coast, and the sea areas lying within
the lines must be sufficiently closely linked to the land domain to be subject
to the regime of internal waters.
4. Straight baselines shall not be drawn to and from low-tide elevations,
unless lighthouses or similar installations which are permanently above sea
level have been built on them or except in instances where the drawing of
baselines to and from such elevations has received general international
recognition.
5. Where the method of straight baselines is applicable under
paragraph 1, account may be taken, in determining particular baselines, of
economic interests peculiar to the region concerned, the reality and the
importance of which are clearly evidenced by long usage.
6. The system of straight baselines may not be applied by a State in
such a manner as to cut off the territorial sea of another State from the high
seas or an exclusive economic zone.
Article 8
Internal waters
1. Except as provided in Part IV, waters on the landward side of the
baseline of the territorial sea form part of the internal waters of the State.
2. Where the establishment of a straight baseline in accordance with the
method set forth in article 7 has the effect of enclosing as internal waters
areas which had not previously been considered as such, a right of innocent
passage as provided in this Convention shall exist in those waters.
Article 9
Mouths of rivers
If a river flows directly into the sea, the baseline shall be a straight line
across the mouth of the river between points on the low-water line of its
banks.
Article 10
Bays
1. This article relates only to bays the coasts of which belong to a
single State.