Author Topic: Flagged vessels & flag states.  (Read 2093 times)

Offline MattB

  • Just can't stay away
  • ***
  • Posts: 130
  • Soon.......................
    • View Profile
Flagged vessels & flag states.
« on: January 22, 2015, 01:05:14 PM »
Hello all,

I've been reading up on the above subject. It's all very confusing. I wonder if some of you could shed some light on said subject.

A flagged vessel is governed by the law of that state. So, if other countries have different laws how can vessels operate safely in different areas of the world? Does it actually matter what flag a vessel sails under? It seems very superficial to me considering every vessel should act safely wherever they may be.
Or is it just another exercise in costs?

Regards,

Offline Captain Ted

  • Top Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 8,996
    • View Profile
Re: Flagged vessels & flag states.
« Reply #1 on: January 22, 2015, 01:20:10 PM »
@Matty
It principe it comes down that the maritime laws and any other laws of the flag state (flag she is flying) is in force on the vessel and applies to all crewmembers irrespective of their nationalities. Once a ship enters territorial waters of another country she/the crew has to adhere to the laws of that country too. Unfortunately there is a gray area. For example customs of the country where the vessel calls can search your ship without a search warrant incl the private quarters of the crew. It goes so far that for example Canada also comes with teams a/b and searches private computers for child porn, all as I said without search warrants or the suspicion of a crime (smuggling, other contraband and/or child porn) 
In other words ,even in so-called democratic countries like Canada/US/EU the civil rights of sailors do not count.
One of the reasons why a lot sailors laughing their ass off on the new MLC2006,, a self serving regulation for the peoples who invented it but totally useless for sailors in general. Important parts like the above were not discussed or incorporated.
MLC2006, touted the bill of rights for sailors addresses the problems of the sailors 40-50 or more years ago and does nothing for todays sailors or the future sailors
NOW!!!,,,if we could get rid of the sailors,,how safe shipping would be !!!!!!!!

 

SMF spam blocked by CleanTalk