Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels (MCDVs)

[Colin Parkinson]

My question was asked out of ignorance and partially rhetorical. It's one thing to surveil international waters, and maybe in regard to fishing in international waters there is some manner of international treaty. I was mainly wondering what the authority was of any nation to stop and board (or even shoot at) another vessel in international waters.

Well you must be Chinese and just claim any bit of water or region as part of your area.

 

[Swampbuggy]

My question was asked out of ignorance and partially rhetorical. It's one thing to surveil international waters, and maybe in regard to fishing in international waters there is some manner of international treaty. I was mainly wondering what the authority was of any nation to stop and board (or even shoot at) another vessel in international waters.

That brings up something I’ve wondered for some time. When an RCN ship is supporting a USCG LEDET in an OP CARIBBE, are there any situations where the RCN takes responsibility/authority on their own, rather than the USCG? I’m unsure of the protocol of who is responsible for what in these scenarios. My (admittedly very limited) understanding of the cooperation is that CAN is supplying the platform for the USCG to do execute their enforcement mandate along with (I’m assuming) whatever categorization and storage is required after any narcotics are seized. So, is the RCN an active participant beyond providing a moving base of operations or could it be a ship provided by another source (DFO, CCG or possibly even Federal Fleet?)?

 

[Stoker]

That brings up something I’ve wondered for some time. When an RCN ship is supporting a USCG LEDET in an OP CARIBBE, are there any situations where the RCN takes responsibility/authority on their own, rather than the USCG? I’m unsure of the protocol of who is responsible for what in these scenarios. My (admittedly very limited) understanding of the cooperation is that CAN is supplying the platform for the USCG to do execute their enforcement mandate along with (I’m assuming) whatever categorization and storage is required after any narcotics are seized. So, is the RCN an active participant beyond providing a moving base of operations or could it be a ship provided by another source (DFO, CCG or possibly even Federal Fleet?)?

Once they get a bust the drugs are stored onboard until they can be offloaded to a USCG ship, same if they get any detainees. Caribbe is the Canadian portion of OP Martello. We operate under a MOU for the use of sensors such as on an Aurora or the Kingston Class or whatever platform they send. We don't participate in active interdiction. and work with the USCG personnel onboard who is contact with US Southern Command, who has Canadian personnel there I believe.

 

[KevinB]

My question was asked out of ignorance and partially rhetorical. It's one thing to surveil international waters, and maybe in regard to fishing in international waters there is some manner of international treaty. I was mainly wondering what the authority was of any nation to stop and board (or even shoot at) another vessel in international waters.

 

[lenaitch]

That was my first guess.

 

[Furniture]

That was my first guess.

Before it was that, is was this...

Before that, it was this...

 

[Underway]

Before it was that, is was this...

Before that, it was this...

You totally missed the Spanish and Portuguese in between those two (and the Dutch in some places).

 

[Navy_Pete]

Before it was that, is was this...

Before that, it was this...

Obligatory 'Do you have a Flag' bit;

 

[KevinB]

That was my first guess.

Generally the LEDETs deal with counter narcotics missions, which a long with terrorism and piracy pretty much anyone can take action against them and be covered legally under international law.

As I understand it, the flagged nation can complain about a boarding should they feel there wasn’t cause.

 

[lenaitch]

Generally the LEDETs deal with counter narcotics missions, which a long with terrorism and piracy pretty much anyone can take action against them and be covered legally under international law.

As I understand it, the flagged nation can complain about a boarding should they feel there wasn’t cause.

I'm guessing not a lot of drug runners pirates and maritime terrorists sail under national flags now days.

 

[Swampbuggy]

I'm guessing not a lot of drug runners pirates and maritime terrorists sail under national flags now days.

Well, the Philippines may disagree…

 

[KevinB]

I'm guessing not a lot of drug runners pirates and maritime terrorists sail under national flags now days.

The Russian shadow oil fleet begs to disagree -- there are a number of "flag of convenience nations" that allow flagging for a nominal fee -- however pretty much none of them will complain if a USN vessel boards them or even sinks them if they had illicit goods.

 

[Furniture]

You totally missed the Spanish and Portuguese in between those two (and the Dutch in some places).

No... I intentionally skipped them.