One of the most important things you need to know when you go on sailing trips is international waters. When a boat goes into the high seas, for all those who do not know what international waters are, many doubts arise.
Here you will learn everything you need to know about international waters, so not only will they satisfy your craving for knowledge, but you will also be able to enjoy much more when you go sailing on the ocean.
Basically, international waters are what are commonly referred to as the high seas, and in essence, they are those waters that do not belong to any country.
These marine areas are beyond the influence of the exclusive economic zones that States may have on the coast.
In addition to not being included within an exclusive economic zone, they are also not within any territorial sea, internal waters or a state or archipelago.
International waters are not controlled by any state, so there is total freedom to navigate, fish, fly over them or carry out scientific activities among many other activities.
Although it may seem that there is no jurisdiction over international waters, they are regulated by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as we will see later.
Where international waters begin
One of the regulations established by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea establishes that international waters begin beyond 200 nautical miles, which would be 370 kilometers, from the coastal base of any country.
To summarize all this and understand much better how the rights of countries over waters work, basically, it would be within the first 12 nautical miles what is considered a territorial sea.
The coastal country, the one that has that access to the sea, exercises almost complete sovereignty over those waters.
Beyond 12 nautical miles, between 12 and 200, it would be the exclusive economic zone, known as the EEZ.
It is within this zone that the coastal country can exercise its exclusive rights to exploit and explore all those natural resources that are within it.
Finally, beyond 200 miles is where international waters would begin and, therefore, where all countries could navigate freely.
Laws in International Waters
Although they do not belong to any country, international waters have their own laws.
International waters are governed by Article 87 of the Convention mentioned above.
Article 87 states that all activities carried out in such international waters must always be for peaceful purposes.
Based on this article, countries have the freedom to carry out all kinds of activities such as laying cables, building pipes or any scientific or recreational practice , among others.
It is important to note that although international waters are governed by these laws, each country may manage them differently.
This is very important, because if you commit an infraction in international waters , the legal consequences depend on the legislation of the country to which you belong.
As a curiosity, modern pirates usually change the flag of their ships to avoid being subjected to some harsher consequences from certain countries.
What does the compass rose symbolize?
The compass rose mainly symbolizes orientation.
The use of the compass rose is mainly used by sailors to be able to carry out different courses.
The popularity of the compass rose has caused its symbolism to go far beyond navigation.
This popularity has allowed the compass rose to transcend into other aspects, for example, acquiring a deep cultural significance.
Due to the use made of the compass rose and its meaning, it is traditionally associated with the connection with the universe.
The cardinal points, for example, have also been associated with the passage of time with other cultural aspects such as the seasons of the year, the elements of nature or the cycles of people’s lives.
For this reason, it is common to find wind roses in other aspects that have nothing to do with navigation, even with different indications at each of their tips.
The compass rose also has a different meaning depending on the culture, since some understand it as an element of balance and harmony, while for others it is an element of protection and for others it represents the spirituality of the human being.
The use of the compass rose is centuries-old and we have seen how cultures such as the Celts used it in many rituals and ceremonies while the alchemists related each of the points of the rose with the four elements and the process of transformation of the matter.
What to do in international waters
A large number of different activities can be carried out in international waters as long as they have a peaceful purpose.
The main problem that exists in international waters is that, due to their magnitude, it is difficult to guarantee safety in them.
If a Spanish citizen commits a crime in international waters, only the competent authorities of his country can act against him, which makes the work of the authorities even more difficult.
Unfortunately, it is quite common for many illegal operations to take place in international waters.
These operations may involve trade or illegal fishing.
Basically, although international waters may seem like a place where there is no law, there are also certain limitations that must be taken into account when navigating these waters.
By way of example, it should be noted that fishing must be carried out in a sustainable way to guarantee marine resources and protect biodiversity, the activities carried out on the high seas must be carried out trying to minimise the environmental impact as much as possible and, of course, piracy is something that is prohibited even in international waters.
Importance of international waters
The fact that there are treaties that try to protect international waters is due to their importance.
International waters have a very important role to play in regulating the climate.
This is because the oceans absorb much of the sun’s heat and distribute it throughout the planet, as well as forming a fundamental role in the water cycle.
The importance of international waters is also palpable in their biodiversity.
These waters are home to an immense diversity of marine life, from tiny plankton to large mammals such as whales.
All these species are essential to guarantee marine balance and bring numerous benefits to humanity.
International waters are also very important in world trade.
Every day many commercial ships ply them carrying all kinds of goods that are distributed all over the world.
In addition to maritime areas such as roads, trade is also about fishing on the high seas.
International waters and legal loopholes
Although there are many myths about international waters, the truth is that there are a few legal loopholes that occur as a result of the nature of international waters.
The arrival of international treaties is intended to close the legal gaps, but there is still a lot of matter to be regulated.
The legal gaps that occur in international waters are due to the complexity of the rules and, as we have seen before, to the difficulty that many countries have in imposing their authority over their citizens.
The immensity and remoteness of international waters is a problem that adds to all this as it makes it difficult to monitor and comply with laws.
Some of the most glaring loopholes in international waters relate to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, dumping of marine debris, unsafe mining on the seabed and, of course, piracy.
These would be some of the challenges that should be addressed in terms of international waters in the future, as well as security on the high seas.
Sailing expeditions in international waters
Going on a sailing expedition with us will allow you to enjoy the most beautiful of international waters.
Some marine species can only be enjoyed in these areas, so it is a perfect experience to enjoy a unique and indescribable place, impossible to find in any other corner of the planet.
With our sailing expeditions you can reach unimaginable destinations, for example, Antarctica, by traveling through international waters.
Our boats comply with all the regulations so that sailing expeditions are within international law and can also offer the greatest safety to our passengers.
Discover first-hand the marine resources that stretch away from the coasts and look at the sea as you have never seen it before.
Going out to sea has never been as easy as it has been until now with Alegría Marineros, so we propose a large number of routes and destinations so that you can enjoy the sea as you want.
