anglo_saxon
New member
Can the united states navy insist on boarding a british flagged vessel in international waters have the right to do so.
can they realy do this?
- Thread starter anglo_saxon
- Start date
mainshiptom
Active member
who can argue with them?
Tom
Tom
Carmel2
New member
They do it to whole countrys so why not your boat?
AndrewB
Well-known member
When it happened to us, they claimed they had UK authority to do so, but gave no details. Whether they really had or not clearly didn't matter to the bored officer who spoke to us - we would have been stopped regardless of our nationality and diplomatic agreements with the US. But it might be interesting to ask the Foreign Office just exactly what has been agreed.
To have the US acting as a self-appointed international maritime police force throughout the Caribbean, as the British did in the C19th, in practice I actually found quite reassuring rather than the opposite. At least it feels like they are on 'our side' and serving to deter the bad guys.
However, it does open the door in ways that are worrying. I prefer not to be ordered to stop by a vessel we can't positively identify in the middle of the night - a snap decision must be made as to whether it is genuine or not (they did illuminate their ship when I requested though). And I would definitely feel much less happy if the navies of some other countries, the North Koreans say, decided to do the same in other parts of the world.
To have the US acting as a self-appointed international maritime police force throughout the Caribbean, as the British did in the C19th, in practice I actually found quite reassuring rather than the opposite. At least it feels like they are on 'our side' and serving to deter the bad guys.
However, it does open the door in ways that are worrying. I prefer not to be ordered to stop by a vessel we can't positively identify in the middle of the night - a snap decision must be made as to whether it is genuine or not (they did illuminate their ship when I requested though). And I would definitely feel much less happy if the navies of some other countries, the North Koreans say, decided to do the same in other parts of the world.
alienzdive
New member
An article I read a few years ago, (I hope my memory of hte article is correct)
You can be stopped by any navy within the teritorial waters of that country reguardless of the flag you are carrying.
You can be stopped in international waters by a navy carrying the same flag as your boat.
You can be stopped by any countries navy and boarded if they have reason to suspect drug trafficking, terrorirsom or security risks from on your vessel. (Apparently this is a grey area).
You can be stopped by any navy within the teritorial waters of that country reguardless of the flag you are carrying.
You can be stopped in international waters by a navy carrying the same flag as your boat.
You can be stopped by any countries navy and boarded if they have reason to suspect drug trafficking, terrorirsom or security risks from on your vessel. (Apparently this is a grey area).
snowleopard
Active member
for all practical purposes there is no law beyond the 12 mile limit. it's just like saying such and such a war is 'illegal', law only has meaning if it can be enforced.
they can do what they like and the foreign office won't lift a finger to help you so you may as well just let them get on with it. the worst thing you could do is to offer resistance.
they can do what they like and the foreign office won't lift a finger to help you so you may as well just let them get on with it. the worst thing you could do is to offer resistance.
Shakey
New member
I would have been so tempted to enter the piracy option into the GMDSS before I pushed the red button!
boatmike
Well-known member
I am reminded of a very old motto seen in the mass hall of the Royal Artillery.....
GOD FIGHTS ON THE SIDE WITH THE BIGGEST GUNS......
GOD FIGHTS ON THE SIDE WITH THE BIGGEST GUNS......
