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Is it illegal to sail in international waters?

It is not illegal per se. The consequence is you will not be owed the protections that registered ships flying a national flag will be. As you don't come under any jurisdiction, you can be approached and come under the extraterritorial jurisdiction of any other state.



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How does law work in international waters? Ships are registered with a country (and fly that flag). The Captain is responcible for enforcing the laws of that country. Anyone arrested would eventually be tried in court back in that country.

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The high seas are not lawless. Well, not completely. According to international law, a maritime country extends outward some distance from its shoreline. During the 20th century several attempts to develop an international “law of the sea” have been made under the aegis of the United Nations.

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