Understanding the legal concept of freedom of the seas is essential, which is vital in controlling rising piracy. In the absence of borders, the seas’ differentiation is done on territorial and non-territorial waters. Non-territorial waters include the open seas where ships can navigate without restrictions while moving from one port to another. Moreover, ships can engage in activities like fishing, conducting scientific research, exploring, laying pipelines, trading, and other harmless activities. All this is possible because the countries respect the need to enjoy freedom in moving across the seas. Controlling piracy on the high seas has become a global problem, and the United Nations has passed several anti-piracy resolutions to restrict it.
Implications of the concept of freedom of the seas
From various freedom of the seas reviews, it becomes clear that ensuring peaceful navigation of vessels from any country across the non-territorial waters is the objective of the concept. Countries within the fold of the United Nations have agreed to work together to ensure the peaceful transition of vessels by standing up against piracy. Maintaining peace in non-territorial waters is the driving force of the legal concept. It disallows violent and aggressive activities like testing military weapons, acts of war, and countries attacking each other.
The essence of the Post World War I settlement
The freedom of the seas doctrine, as many call it, started as a part of the post-war settlement of World War I, in the form of a declaration by US President Woodrow Wilson in 1918. While addressing a joint session of the US Congress, the President outlined his vision of settlement after the war captured through a 14-point charter. The primary objective of the settlement was to encourage free trade between countries by removing economic barriers and providing a level playing field for all. The settlement highlighted the need to ensure absolute freedom of navigation in non-territorial waters, even amid an ongoing war between countries.
Witness a live demonstration of the doctrine
One of the best ways to witness a live demonstration of the legal concept is to embark on a journey on the freedom of the seas cruise ship of the Royal Caribbean International, one of the best cruise lines in the world. The cruise takes you on a fascinating journey across the seas from Florida to the Bahamas on a three-night trip that will be a memory of your lifetime. The company offers many other cruises to destinations like Australia and New Zealand, Asia, Alaska, Bermuda, Canada, New England, Europe, Hawaii, South America, Pacific Northwest, and Transatlantic.
You can choose the most convenient freedom of the seas deck plan from various plans of varied costs. Viewing the seas from the deck as you lazily gaze at the ocean from your bed is an experience worth paying for.
No matter how much knowledge you gather about the concept of freedom of the seas, the cruise experience makes you feel what it means.