U.S. forces successfully launched a mission to seize the Marinera, formerly Bella 1, on Jan. 7. Russian state media released imagery from the vessel
  • azuth@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    71·
    3 days ago

    The operation was undertaken to enforce a warrant from a U.S. federal court

    Today our UK Armed Forces showed skill and professionalism in support of a successful U.S. interception of the vessel Bella 1 while on its way to Russia. This action formed part of global efforts to crack down on sanctions busting.

    Well, certainly don’t count on the UK to support international law.

    • Skua@kbin.earth
      5·
      3 days ago

      There’s probably a solid argument that the flag-switching made this compatible with international law. Article 92 of UNCLOS reads:

      1. Ships shall sail under the flag of one State only and, save in exceptional cases expressly provided for in international treaties or in this Convention, shall be subject to its exclusive jurisdiction on the high seas. A ship may not change its flag during a voyage or while in a port of call, save in the case of a real transfer of ownership or change of registry.
      1. A ship which sails under the flags of two or more States, using them according to convenience, may not claim any of the nationalities in question with respect to any other State, and may be assimilated to a ship without nationality.

      And then Article 110 permits boarding of ships without nationality. That’s not a comment on the ethics of doing so either way, of course, only legality

      • azuth@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        2·
        3 days ago

        Except, as I have quoted, the USA did this to enforce a decision made by it’s domestic court.

        • Skua@kbin.earth
          2·
          3 days ago

          I know. I’m not saying that they’re accusing the Marinera of breaking international law, I’m saying that current international law basically says unflagged vessels are fair game