— The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. —
CAMM Positions
04-04: Freedom of the Seas
Position
04-04
Freedom of the Seas
Forcing MARPOL compliant vessels 200 miles offshore
CAMM is in opposition by acts such as was demonstrated by France, Spain and Portugal after the Prestige disaster requiring single hull tankers (in full compliance with MARPOL requirements) to stay at least 200 miles off their respective coasts. This requirement is in direct violation of the Law of the Sea treaty allowing law abiding vessels innocent passage through territorial waters.
This is an example of yet another form of dis-jointed and back-lash legislating that both injures the professional reputations of law abiding ship-owners and casts a shadow of doubt over the ability of the IMO to conduct it’s own policing and regulatory duties.