International Waters: Does Anything Go When You're Not on Land?

International waters—a place shrouded in mystery. A utopia of untamed freedom where pirates (allegedly) roam, mermaids (probably) sing, and your Wi-Fi connection (definitely) gives up. But is it really the "anything goes" free-for-all that we’ve been led to believe by pirate movies? Let’s dive in and find out!

The Pirate Captain's Classic Polite Smile

What Are International Waters, Anyway?

International waters begin where a country’s territorial waters end—typically 12 nautical miles from the coastline. Beyond that, it’s the high seas, governed by the principle of "freedom of the seas." This means no single country owns these waters, and you’re free to sail, fish, or argue over monopoly rules without national oversight.

But don’t start loading up your ship with questionable contraband just yet. While no country owns international waters, everyone owns international waters.

Can You Do Whatever You Want?

The short answer? No. The long answer? Yes, if you are a pirate, of course.

While international waters might seem like the Wild West of the sea, you’re still under the jurisdiction of the flag your ship is flying. If you’re flying a Canadian flag, Canadian laws apply to you—even if you’re halfway to Atlantis. So if you plan to start an underwater speakeasy or host illegal dolphin races, you’d better double-check your nation’s maritime regulations first.

And before you ask: no, you can’t just create your own flag and declare yourself ruler of a newly established nation. That’s not how this works, though points for creativity.

What About Crimes at Sea?

Picture this: you’re in the middle of the Atlantic, and someone steals your precious hundred-year-old Leroy Domaine bottle off the deck. Who do you call? The Coast Guard? Neptune? Spiderman?

In reality, maritime law is a complicated web of agreements that dictate how crimes are handled. If a crime occurs on a ship, it’s usually up to the flag state to handle it. But if the crime involves multiple nationalities or some unidentified marine creatures, it can escalate to international authorities. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the INTERPOL may even step in, though they’d probably have some follow-up questions about that unidentified creature.

What’s Allowed in International Waters?

While lawlessness unfortunately can't be accomplished, certain activities do get a little "wiggle room" in international waters. For example:

• Casino Cruises: Many cruise ships set up gambling activities once they’re out of territorial waters, because of the looser gambling restrictions on the high seas.

  
  

• Marriage Ceremonies: Fun fact: the captain of your ship might legally officiate your marriage, provided their country allows it. (Bonus: if the reception gets too rowdy, you can just toss your guests overboard—Kidding!)

  
  

• Fishing Parties: While countries have exclusive fishing rights in their own waters, international waters are fair game for everyone—though be mindful that overfishing can land you in hot water with the globe's many conservations groups!

So... Can I Start My Own Country at Sea?

Well, technically, it’s not impossible and highly improbable. You’d need a permanent population, a defined territory, a government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states. Plus, there’s a good chance the UN would give you the side-eye.

Point Nemo: a remote oceanic location about 2,688 kilometers from the nearest land

Conclusion

While international waters might sound like a no-rules playground, they’re more like a chaotic group-chat with a great number of moderators. Whether you’re dreaming of hosting sea monster races, launching a floating casino, or starting your own micronation, remember: the high seas are vast, but the long arm of the law is longer.

So, no, you can’t do whatever you want. But you could enjoy some majestic scenary and fresh and unprocessed seafood if you're not allergic!

References

1. "Committing crimes in international waters." The Hodge Law Firm. Accessed 24 January 2025.

2. Gibbens, Sarah. "Who rules the high seas? Outlaws and unknown sea creatures?" National Geographic. March 9, 2023. Accessed 24 January 2025.

3. Gramlich, Wayne, et al. “Seasteading.” Wikipedia. Accessed 25 January 2025.

4. "United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)." United Nations. Accessed 24 January 2025.