Can Carnival Captains Make Law?

[rajntra]

Okay, you're not in any territorial waters. You're out at sea. Can the Captain of your ship make "law" on his ship and detain you for violating it?

[yearnin4cruisin]

I don't know about law but the captain is clearly in charge of the entire ship and if someone is found to be doing anything harmful or dangerous, he can have them on "house arrest" and deport them at the next stop.

[phroggie]

Okay, you're not in any territorial waters. You're out at sea. Can the Captain of your ship make "law" on his ship and detain you for violating it?

 

Disclaimer: I'm not an attorney, but I watch one on TV.

 

In general, a ship in international waters is bound by the maritime laws of the country of the ship's registry (Panama in Carnival's case). Since the cruise originates in the US and serves American passengers who contracted for transport under US jurisdiction, the ship must also follow certain US regulations (hence US Coast Guard and Center for Disease Control inspections) and the company can be sued (based on American maritime law) in US courts.

 

Maritime law confers on the Captain the authority to detain anyone for any reason and to turn them over to the authorities at the nearest port.

 

I'm not sure what the current policy on keelhauling is.

[caribbean dreams]

Yes, the Captain is basically the law at sea, if he sees it fit to detain or disembark passengers than that is what will happen.

[richkinkade]

The captain can't even marry people anymore. He has fairly wide discretion, however, to do whatever he feels is necesary to ensure the saftey of the vessel and the souls on board.