What happens if someone commits a crime in international waters?

If the crime was committed on international waters, typically the jurisdiction is that of the country that the cruise ship is registered to. However, if it occurs in port or within 12 nautical miles of a country's shoreline, that country has jurisdiction to intervene.



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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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Minor rules that get broken may not result in you going to the ship's brig. Often, minor offenses will result in a person simply being remanded to their cabin with security outside to ensure they don't leave. But when serious crimes occur, the captain may feel it necessary to put the person in the brig.

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If someone is suspected of committing a serious crime, like murder or assault, they can be put in the brig until the cruise ship reaches port. Then, local authorities will deal with the individual.

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Who Investigates Crimes on Cruise Ships? Instead of police, cruise ships normally have their own security teams who act as first responders when crimes are reported on board. These internal security staff are employed by cruise ship companies and work under the authority of the ship's captain.

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79% of all crimes reported onboard cruise ships are sexual assaults, as per the US Department of Transportation. This statistic is a stark reminder of the prevalence of sexual assaults on cruise ships, and serves as a powerful reminder of the need for increased safety measures to protect passengers.

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