The official fictional volume for arrivals, departures, mooring etiquette, fog conduct, cargo quarrels, and other matters best settled before the tide turns.
Part III - Movement of Vessels
Article VII: Arrivals and Departures
No vessel shall enter the inner harbour with haste, theatrical confidence, or an unreported goat aboard. All captains will declare intent before crossing the red buoy line.
Signals must be shown before the harbour bell has sounded its second note.
Vessels yielding to tide, weather, or embarrassment retain right of correction.
The Harbour Master may delay any departure for unsafe cargo, unpaid dues, or suspiciously cheerful singing.
Part IV - Berthing
Article XII: Mooring and Courtesy
Moorings are allocated by draught, urgency, and the degree to which a captain can answer plainly when asked where they have been.
Lines shall be tended at dawn, dusk, and whenever gulls begin judging the knots.
No berth may be traded for favours, rumours, lucky nails, or pastries larger than a harbour ledger.
Visitors shall keep gangways clear and arguments below conversational volume.
Part V - Cargo and Manifest
Article XVIII: Questionable Freight
Every crate must be declared. Every barrel must be counted. Every chest humming after midnight must be moved to the stone quay until it learns restraint.
Perishables, combustibles, and dramatic heirlooms shall be logged in red ink.
Cargo emitting smoke, music, prophecy, or vinegar shall be inspected immediately.
The owner of an undeclared parcel is presumed to be the person walking away fastest.
Part VI - Weather and Visibility
Article XXII: Conduct in Fog
In fog thick enough to make the lighthouse seem theoretical, all masters shall proceed as though the harbour itself is listening.
Sound bells once per minute, horns twice per doubt, and excuses never.
Lanterns must be trimmed, visible, and not borrowed from tavern tables.
Any vessel discovering a new island shall wait for clear weather before naming it.
Appendix: Standing Notices
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