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What countries laws do cruise ships follow?
Once a ship is 24 miles from any coastline, it’s on the high seas (or international waters). With the exception of certain rights within the contiguous zone, the law of that ship is the law of the country whose flag it’s flying.
Are cruise ship employees US citizens?
Thus, they’re willing to suffer through difficult labor conditions and being mistreated.” The Caribbean, the Philippines, and Eastern Europe are major sources of cruise-ship employees, and only about 5\% of cruise-ship employees are American citizens or residents, Walker said.
Who regulates the cruise industry?
The Federal Maritime Commission
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) is an independent U.S. government regulatory agency that oversees cruise industry financial responsibility requirements.
Is there law enforcement on cruise ships?
Unlike airplanes with Federal Marshals, cruise ships have no police authorities aboard. The few security guards on the ships are loyal to their employer who pays their salary – not to the passenger. In fact, some cruise lines have never had a crew member ever convicted of a sex crime or other felony.
Are there rules in international waters?
Generally speaking, the law of the sea stipulates that maritime countries essentially control their territorial waters from the shore out to a distance of 12 miles (19.3 km), the “12-mile limit.” Within this zone, all laws of that country apply: the country can build, extract natural resources, and either encourage or …
Are cruise ports federal jurisdiction?
For most of the major cruise lines (Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Norwegian) the jurisdiction is in the Federal Court in Miami (United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida); for Princess, it is in California; for Holland America it is in Washington State.
How are cruise ships regulated?
Although each cruise ship is subject to the vessel inspection laws of the country in which it is registered, as a condition of permitting the vessels to take on passengers at U.S. ports, the Coast Guard requires the ships to meet the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea and other international …
What are the laws for working on a cruise ship?
Maritime Employment Laws. Working on a cruise ship can mean that an employee may not be under the same laws that apply while working on land in the US (or any other country). Things that are taken for granted while working on US soil may not be available while in the employ of a ship that flies the flag of another country.
Do cruise ships have to be registered?
Ship Registry. Cruise lines operate fleets of ships that must be registered, as must all merchant ships, in accordance with international laws. This process requires the ship to follow the laws of the country where it’s registered. A cruise line can register its vessels in the United States, Panama, Liberia, Greece or other countries.
Is the cruise industry regulated?
The cruise industry is one of the most heavily regulated industries with robust, clearly defined standards.
Can a cruise ship be charged with a crime in international waters?
That said, crimes in international waters may also require the involvement of the FBI. Once a cruise ship sails more than 24 miles off of the coast of any given country, it is considered to be in international waters. This means that the laws governing crimes on the ship are determined by the flag that the ship is sailing under.