On Sun, 15 Apr 2007 19:47:14 +0800, shaun
wrote:
Peter Hendra wrote:
Shaun,
I don't know the exact geographic bounds in which boarding may take
place but other yachtees tell of being boarded at sea in
international waters within the Caribbean off Haiti and near
Martinique.
Incidently, the Red Sea where a helicopter gunship havered just above
my mast for two minutes without identifying itself despite my VHF
requests was in international waters, far from the "war zone" in Iraq.
cheers
Peter
what is the law here.
i was under the usumption that the US had no jusidiction out side there
waters on any boat other than a US boat.
you are saying that if i was in international waters or british water
then i can be boarded by a US boat?
I thought that amounted to piracy its self.
Shaun
Does any one here know what the true standing is in this matter
As a NON US boat do i have the right to refuse to allow any one other
than my designated gov to board my boat.
To the best of my knowledge (which may be wrong) once out side the 3 mile
limit then the USA has no rights and can be treated as any other boat.
I understand the fact if i am INSIDE territorial waters then that
territory has the right to board for customs and breaches of there local
laws...(or not as the case may be)
From memory australia has a 15 mile border with a 200 kilometer fishing
zone which only applies if you are fishing or a fishing vessel.
please elluminate
Shaun
You're asking the question "What can a 600 lb. gorilla do? And the
answer is "whatever he wants to".
If the Coast Guard decides to board you on the High Seas they will
come in a 180 ft. Coast Guard Cutter equipped with rapid firing
cannons. They will undoubtedly launch an inflatable boat and a crew of
armed Coast Guardsmen will come along side. At least one will be armed
with an automatic weapon and they won't ask you if they can come
aboard; they simply will. They may ask you whether you will allow them
to search your boat but regardless of your answer be assured that they
will search.
You can also be assured that if they do stop you they have either a
reason to, or they can justify to their superiors their stopping you.
In either case, if you resist you will be deemed to be in the wrong.
What do you plan doing to prevent them? If you shoot at them you can
be assured that they will return your fire and they've got cannons.
You can sue them. Of course they have a hundred and 20 crew members to
testify how suspicious you were acting. All in all a lose, lose
situation.
You mention the 3 mile limit but I've seen several U.S. Coast Guard
"cutters" in Singapore, enough times to make me think that at least
one cutter is stationed in Asia. A long 3 miles from California....
Bruce in Bangkok
(brucepaigeatgmaildotcom)
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