Legal Definitions - coastal-state control

Coastal-state control refers to the authority a nation exercises over foreign-flagged ships operating within its territorial waters. This power, granted by international agreements, allows the coastal nation to stop, board, inspect, and if necessary, detain these vessels. The primary goals are to ensure maritime safety, protect the marine environment, and enforce its laws within its sovereign waters.

• Example 1: Environmental Protection

  A large container ship, registered in Country X, is observed by a coastal patrol of Country Y emitting an unusual amount of dark smoke while transiting Country Y's territorial waters. Country Y's authorities exercise coastal-state control by dispatching a patrol boat to stop the container ship, board it, and inspect its engine room and waste disposal logs.

  This illustrates Country Y using its authority to stop, board, and inspect a foreign-flagged vessel (Country X's ship) within its territorial waters to enforce environmental regulations concerning air pollution.

• Example 2: Maritime Safety Inspection

  A bulk carrier, flying the flag of Country Z, is navigating through busy shipping lanes within Country A's territorial sea. A routine aerial surveillance by Country A notices that the bulk carrier appears to be listing significantly, raising concerns about its stability and seaworthiness. Country A's maritime agency invokes coastal-state control to intercept the vessel, board it, and conduct a thorough safety inspection of its cargo loading, ballast tanks, and structural integrity. If severe deficiencies are found, the vessel could be detained.

  Here, Country A is exercising its right to stop, board, and inspect a foreign-flagged ship (from Country Z) in its territorial waters to ensure maritime safety and prevent potential accidents.

• Example 3: Resource Management Enforcement

  A fishing trawler, registered in Country B, is detected by radar operating within a protected marine area inside Country C's territorial waters, an area where commercial fishing is strictly prohibited by Country C's laws. Country C's coast guard, utilizing coastal-state control, intercepts the trawler, boards it, inspects its catch and fishing gear, and subsequently detains the vessel and its crew for violating national environmental and resource protection regulations.

  This demonstrates Country C applying its authority to stop, board, inspect, and detain a foreign-flagged vessel (from Country B) within its territorial waters to enforce its environmental and resource management laws.