Does anyone have the right to board your boat in international waters?

Question

I am guessing no but a battle ship usually can do what it wants and coast guard is not expected in international waters acting as police

Answer 1

Yes.

First,  all ships must have a registry.  IE:  Liberia.   As a ship registered in that nation,  their Navy has the right to stop you at any time.    

Second,  some nations have signed international agreements giving rights to other signers of the treaty to inspect any ships that are registered to their nation.   IE:  Liberia and the USA.  So the US Navy can stop a ship of Liberian registry.

Third,  if your ship is not registered (no name, home port noted on the bow or stern,  no ensign flying) then any Navy can stop you.   Such as drug runner submarines.

Fourth,  in time of war when an area has been declared a war zone,  the belligerents can stop ships of foreign nations to ensure they are not bringing war materials in.

(And do not worry about a battleship stopping you.  All of those are in mothballs or museums.)

Answer 2

Anyone with automatic weapons has the power to board your boat! i.e.  All navies, coast patrols, law enforcement agencies and pirates.  The acts at sea may be challenged in court if you survive and have the monies needed.

Answer 3

Due to the new homeland security rules a lot has changed

Dont worry about military vessels you will never have a chance to even get close.

Answer 4

sweet Mary, don't be harsh.  it's only the truth.  an old proverb at sea is "might has right".  if you don't see it that way, you could end up "dead" right.  International Maritime Law is an accessible item, pull it up on the net and readl

Answer 5

Would you not want to stop for Any USA military I would an have>Best to have Radar as at night you can't see them or anyone else with no lights>If no reply after repeated calls hope you have a faster boat or etc>

Answer 6

Dave hits all four points!

Answer 7

In international waters you are still subject to the laws of the nation of the flag your ship is flying. So if the law of your home nation stipulates that officials can board your vessel, they still can in international waters.

Remember battle ships are charged with defense and military intervention is inevitable if you are considered a threat but unless you're taking pot shots at an aircraft carrier off the back of your yacht, I wouldn't have though a military ship would have anything to do with you.

Answer 8

Just Pirates.......