Actually, I do have a reference. Please review 1.24 in the AAMC FAQ: http://aamc.net/bunker/forumsql/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=64
This portion of the FAQ was prepared by Blackwatch, who is the Rules guru/JAG for AAMC and IAAPA. These two clubs, at least, play by this rule.
In addition, at page 16 of the rule book, it reads as follows:
"A transport can pick up cargo, move 1 or 2 sea zones, and unload the cargo all in the same move. THE CARGO CAN BE PICKED UP BEFORE, DURING OR AFTER THE TRANSPORT MOVES. For example, a transport could pick up 1 infantry, move 1 zone and pick up another infantry, move into another zone and unload both infantry all in the same move." [Emphasis in original]
There is nothing in the rule book that says a transport cannot load as a result of the presence of enemy ships.Â
In contrast, this is what the rule book for AAEurope says:Â “You many not load or unload land units on a transport ship
in a sea zone that contains enemy units. If the transport moves into a friendly or empty sea zone, it may load or unload troops.”
And this is what the LHTR rule book says:Â “At any point during the combat move phase, a transport may load or offload land units (Exception: a transport may never load units if it is in a hostile sea zone).”
You can agree that for games played at A&A.org that you cannot load units in a hostile sea zone in 2nd Edition games, but this is contrary to the way the game is played in other clubs.
SS