Hi all - Quite new to the seas, but hopefully one day soon I can live up to my handle name. In the open seas, are navy ships obligated, or even authorized to intercede between two boaters who are in an altercation? Lets say that the Octopus is sailing from NY to the Europe, and half way at the Atlantic they run along side the Rising Sun. Clearly both owners despise each other (publicly known)and is reflected with their respective crews. No one has any deadly intentions, but both crews are going at each other and both Captains are claiming their crew can whoop the sh*t out of the other in a fist fight. Now a US Navy ship is in the area and hears all this Road rage or better put sea rage on the radio. Does the navy ship, whether US or British, or other, have the duty to interfere, especially if neither boat was asking for help? Does navies have an obligation to keep the peace in the seas. I believe they will intercede when it comes to pirates, and anyone in distress. But what about just common boaters with clearly no deadly intentions. And since they are both in the middle of the Atlantic, CG's of any country would be too far to handle the situation. Any thoughts?
Hi Seaworthy and welcome to YF... In reading your question, I found myself smiling and thinking... this is going to be fun! After viewing your profile, I now understand the nature of your question. It appears you're referring to an actual event?! The identities of the players aren't important (not like you're at liberty to disclose!), so let the water balloons launch...
confrontations at sea My view would be: In international waters, a ship would have the same protection as an embassy of the country, which flag she carries (sails under). Any interference by a foreign power, in international waters, would constitute an international incidence. Unless invited to mitigate by all parties, I believe no vessel would like to risk an intervention. No Navy vessels, unless from military dictatorships or countries ingaged at war, has any kind of policeing obligation towards their fellow countrymen (or flagged vessels). The "war" on piracy is an international agreed/coordinated intervention. In international waters, maybe you should call Interpol
I'll wager that the crew of the Octopus from their main deck, would be able to pee over just about anywhere on the Rising Sun in an alongside-encounter on the high seas... But just to drive the point home, and show everyone just what a "floating stinkpot" the Rising Sun really is, I'd suggest that Octopus load up their helos as the day breaks and have the guys n' gals lean out to "evacuate" all over that ugly excuse of a motor yacht, shouting "Banzai! That's for Pearl Harbour!" I know it sounds like I'm somewhat biased and it's probably true. Many years ago, I received a free MS Office 2000 package for services rendered to Paul Allen's Meduse... And you have to admit if you're honest with yourself. Rising Sun is one heck of an ugly yacht...
One day over the VHF radio ch16 I heard two guys threatening to whip eachothers A** providing the other would tell the other were he could find the other. I was finding it quite entertaining until the US Coast Guard interviened and basically told them to shut up or they were going to go whip both there A**. Well actually the USCG just got very stern and said they were in federal violations and bla bla bla.
Fistfights on the open Atlantic between the crews of megayachts, eh? There is a high probability that dogs and cats will be getting married first, Seaworthy. Still, the query demands a technical answer: under the Imperial British Maritime Act of 1852 regarding Possible High Seas Moronicity, the captains of said vessels are required to meet onboard the smaller of the two ships ( the one which rolls the most) and have a rum-swilling competition. The first captain to puke would be deemed the loser and subsequently, under the articles of the Act, be confined to a darkened stateroom whilst being forced to listen to old Barry Manilow tunes. Under a little known provision (paragraph six, section 12) of the Jones Act of 1812, however, an American warship encountering such a scene would intervene by providing both crews with the necessary munitions of eggs and rotten tomatoes and encouraging each crew to pelt the other mercilessly until the first captain cries out," My varnish, my varnish"!! ... at which point the Winning Ship has been determined and the loser slinks off in total ignominy.
LOLLOLLOL, LOREN..."My varnish, my varnish, my varnish!!!!!!!!!!!!!"...ahaha, that is certainly very funny!..where did you get you humour from..
We were running up Long Island Sound having departed Stamford, Ct. towards Newport, RI when the radio started up with a call to the Coast Guard that a boat was being rammed. We listened as the caller repeated that his boat was being rammed a second time. Soon the second boat was on the radio claiming that Boat A was setting traps in his (Boat B's) usual area. Boat A again claimed he was being rammed and Boat B was now running down his trap floats. This went on for several minutes with name calling and cursing until Boat A calls out "he's got a gun, he's shooting at me" At which point a third voice radios "...well George, if you hadn't F***** his wife last week you wouldn't be in this mess, so SHUT UP" Dave
I can't stop laughing!!! I would like to the the Coast Guard took their time responding, or at least untill he was knee deep and bailing madly.