1. The naval district is a military and administrative command ashore, established for the purpose of decentralizing the Navy Department's functions with respect to the control of the coastwise sea communications and the shore activities outside the department proper, and for the further purpose of centralizing under one command: (a) For military coordination, all naval activities, and (b) For administrative coordination, all naval activities with specific exceptions, within the district and the waters thereof. 2. The limits of the naval districts are laid down in article 1480, Navy Regulations. Those limits extend to seaward so far as to include the coastwise sea lanes (art. 1486 (1), Navy Regulations). 3. "Each naval district shall be commanded by a designated commandant, who is the direct representative of the Navy Department, including its bureaus and offices, in all matters affecting district activity." (Art. 1481, Navy Regulations.)