0031-0330 irl.qxd 74 2.3.2009 14:19 Page 74 SECOND GENEVA CONVENTION OF 1949 As far as possible, the Parties to the conflict shall enter in the log of the hospital ship, in a language he can understand, the orders they have given the captain of the vessel. Parties to the conflict may, either unilaterally or by particular agreements, put on board their ships neutral observers who shall verify the strict observation of the provisions contained in the present Convention. Stay in a neutral port ART. 32. — Vessels described in Articles 22, 24, 25 and 27 are not classed as warships as regards their stay in a neutral port. Converted merchant vessels ART. 33. — Merchant vessels which have been transformed into hospital ships cannot be put to any other use throughout the duration of hostilities. Discontinuance of protection ART. 34. — The protection to which hospital ships and sick-bays are entitled shall not cease unless they are used to commit, outside their humanitarian duties, acts harmful to the enemy. Protection may, however, cease only after due warning has been given, naming in all appropriate cases a reasonable time limit, and after such warning has remained unheeded. In particular, hospital ships may not possess or use a secret code for their wireless or other means of communication. Conditions not depriving hospital ships of protection ART. 35. — The following conditions shall not be considered as depriving hospital ships or sick-bays of vessels of the protection due to them: 1) The fact that the crews of ships or sick-bays are armed for the maintenance of order, for their own defence or that of the sick and wounded. 2) The presence on board of apparatus exclusively intended to facilitate navigation or communication. 3) The discovery on board hospital ships or in sick-bays of portable arms and ammunition taken from the wounded, sick and shipwrecked and not yet handed to the proper service. 4) The fact that the humanitarian activities of hospital ships and sick-bays of vessels or of the crews extend to the care of wounded, sick or shipwrecked civilians. 5) The transport of equipment and of personnel intended exclusively for medical duties, over and above the normal requirements.