Osiris Fraternal Order

Code of Maritime Law

A resolution to restrict civil freedoms in the interest of moral decency.


Category: Moral Decency


Strength: Mild


Proposed by: Kiribati-Tarawa

Description: The World Assembly;

AWARE that no international legislation currently governs seagoing vessels in international waters,

CONVINCED that regulation of maritime laws would ensure the safety and stability of shipping and passenger service, thereby improving international trade and commerce,

MANDATES the following articles:

Article I.

Section 1. Definitions

i. A "seaworthy" vessel is a vessel which adheres to the operational standards set by this resolution and any other applicable resolutions or laws established by the vessel's home port.

ii. Defines "home port" as the city with which a vessel has been registered.

Article II.

Section 1. Safety

i. All vessels shall adhere to the standards and regulations of the International Transport Safety Committee (ITSC).

ii. In an emergency, a ship shall issue a "mayday" signal, expressing their distress. Any vessels in the area which are capable of assisting a vessel in distress are obligated to do so, except in the following circumstances:
-If assisting the vessel would jeopardize the safety of the assisting vessel.
-If a state of war exists between the home nations of the assisting and distressed vessels.

iii. Misuse of a distress signal (i.e.: issuing a distress signal when there is no reason for distress) shall be a criminal offense, punishable under the laws of the vessel's home port. Distress signals shall only be issued when the crew and passengers of a vessel are unable to manage a situation in which human lives are in jeopardy.

iv. Vessels which are assisting a vessel in distress shall not be liable for damages sustained during the rescue, as long as the ship in distress sent out a distress signal, to which the assisting ship is responding.

v. All vessels shall have activated and monitored a commonly recognized form of communication with which they are able to contact any other vessel. They shall not deactivate this mode of communication while on voyage

Section 2. Cargo

i. All merchant vessels shall maintain the right to carry any cargo they wish, so long as it is not declared contraband or illegal by this resolution, any other existing World Assembly resolutions, or the laws of the vessel's home port.

ii. Vessels shall not possess more cargo than they can safely carry, as regulated by the International Transport Safety Committee (ITSC).

Section 3. Registration of Vessels

i. All vessels traveling in international waters must be registered to a home port. Each home port shall establish their own registration requirements and processes.

Article III.

Section 1. Additional Powers and Responsibilities of the ITSC

i. The ITSC shall maintain a registry of all vessels registered to home ports in World Assembly member nations.

ii. The ITSC shall conduct unannounced inspections of registered vessels regularly to ensure that they comply with all World Assembly regulations.

iii. The ITSC shall have the power to suspend the operation of any vessels which are found to be derelict and in violation of WA regulations. The suspended vessels shall be allowed to return to service once they are in compliance with ITSC regulations.

CLARIFIES that the provisions of this resolution do not apply to naval vessels or government-operated vessels which do not carry passengers or cargo.