[clapsoewmred]

Does anybody know how the laws are when travelling the Ocean ? (3 mile law i believe ?)

What would happen if i´m outside of the 3 mile zone and smoke a crack pipe, or murder someone ?
Somebody just told me that outside of the 3mile thingy, there are NO laws at all.

[SweetCaroline]

Only a few countries use the 3 mile rule (which originated by the distance a cannon could be fired in defense of the country from land) anymore, and most are 12 miles or further now. Not sure what happens if you commit what's generally considered a crime by most countries when further out in the open seas. Probably depends on what the crime is and how it affects who(m). The UN probably has some set of rules that govern this?

[MaraReenece]

...most are 12 miles or further now.

And it's so very important that we know exactly what the various limits are. I remember in the late '70's, the US and Ecuador almost got into a war because there was a dispute over whether the limit was 12 or 20 miles.

[DouseAuthott]

Outside the territorial waters of a nation then the Flag which the ship is registered under dictates the law governing. So an American vessel deep in the North Sea would be governed by American law, a British vessel in the Persian Law would be subject to British law (although this may be the Admiralty or Civil/Criminal law of the land depending on what act is in question).

[DouseAuthott]

Only a few countries use the 3 mile rule (which originated by the distance a cannon could be fired in defense of the country from land) anymore, and most are 12 miles or further now. Not sure what happens if you commit what's generally considered a crime by most countries when further out in the open seas. Probably depends on what the crime is and how it affects who(m). The UN probably has some set of rules that govern this?

The distances and areas governed are dictated by a UN treaty known as the Laws of the Sea. In international waters, the sea (and it's economic resources) is governed by International Law and the ships are governed by either the nation whose waters they are in or by the nation they are registered in (and flying the flag of).

[Dfvgthyju]

I hear that China is 200 miles or so high BS number like that. Just another reason why they claim Taiwan.

[BorBitExatini]

Once you are outside of the distance you are still subject to what are considered International Laws. So many things are still illegal. For example, whaling in most waters is a violation of international law, and subject to severe punishment by the International Whaling Commission. And if you kill someone, there is some international authority that could get you for it. Similarly, if you are on an airplane over international waters, you can't do whatever you want, cuz they will arrest you when you arrive at your destination.

[aAaBecker]

Tha Admiralty Law, Maritime Law or the Law of the Sea:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Admiralty_law