How Far Off The Coast Of Florida Is International Waters?

Cruising at sea is an exciting way to explore the world and discover new destinations, but it can also be a bit confusing for those unfamiliar with sailing laws and regulations. Understanding when a ship is considered to be in international waters or in a country’s territorial sea is important for both recreational and commercial vessels, as certain laws apply to each area.

Many people wonder just how far off the coast of Florida a boat must sail before it reaches international waters, so this article will explain what constitutes international waters, as well as how far off the coast of Florida they start.

What are International Waters?

International waters are areas of the ocean that don’t belong to any one country or jurisdiction, they are considered open to all people for navigation, fishing, and other activities that take place on or below the surface of the sea.

Though these waters are legally not owned by any nation, they are subject to various maritime laws and agreements that countries have signed onto over time. This means that although no one owns them outright, every country has certain rights over them when it comes to regulating activities such as fishing or scientific research expeditions in their own exclusive economic zones (EEZs).

Definition of Coast of Florida

The coast of Florida refers to all shorelines within state boundaries, including its bays, rivers, estuaries, marshes, wetlands, islands, and other coastal areas within the state’s borders.

The United States has a maritime boundary line with Mexico that extends along the Gulf Coast from Brownsville, Texas to Key West (or 24 miles offshore from Key West). Beyond this line is international water where vessels may sail freely without restriction from any one nation-state.

What is the Maritime Boundary Line?

The maritime boundary line between Mexico and the United States was established by an agreement between both countries and extends 24 nautical miles off the coast of Key West in Florida (the outer limit of US jurisdiction). This means that once a vessel has sailed more than 24 nautical miles away from land, it is considered to be in international waters where anyone may sail without restriction from any nation-state.

It should be noted that ships must still abide by maritime laws when sailing these waters as they pertain to navigation safety measures such as not entering restricted zones or discharging pollutants into open water without permission from a coastal state if they wish to remain compliant with international law regulations, however they do not need permission from any single nation-state when traversing them.

How Far off The Coast Is International Waters?

In general terms, international waters begin about 24 nautical miles away from Key West in Florida or any other US coastline point depending on where you start your journey, however this does not take into account special jurisdictions such as contiguous zones or EEZs which may extend further outwards up to 200 nautical miles away from shore depending on which country’s EEZ is being navigated through at any given time (this includes areas like shipping lanes which may have their own specific regulations).

As such it’s important for captains to consult with local authorities before entering any area beyond 24 nautical miles offshore if they wish to remain compliant with applicable laws while cruising these waters, this will help ensure safe passage for all passengers aboard their vessel!

Contiguous Zone and Territorial Sea

In addition to international waters beginning 24 nautical miles away from shorelines like those found along the coast of Florida, there are also two other jurisdictions which extend further outwards: contiguous zones (12 nautical miles beyond territorial seas) and territorial seas (12 nautical miles beyond shorelines).

These two jurisdictions overlap each other meaning that vessels travelling more than 12 nautical miles but less than 24 nautical miles away from shore will typically fall under either one or both depending on their exact location at any given time, vessels must abide by applicable laws while navigating these areas just like they would when sailing in international waters beyond them!

High Seas and Exclusive Economic Zone

Beyond both contiguous zones and territorial seas lies what is known as high seas (or open ocean) which extends up to 200 nautical miles away from shorelines, this area constitutes what’s known as an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) for each coastal state meaning that only certain activities can take place within it depending on which country’s EEZ you enter at any given time (this includes things like fishing rights or scientific research expeditions).

As such it’s important for captains travelling through these areas to consult with local authorities before entering them so they can remain compliant with applicable laws while navigating them but also so they know what types of activities are allowed within their respective EEZs!

Navigable Waters In Florida

In addition to all areas discussed above which constitute international water outside of US jurisdiction there are also several navigable bodies within state boundaries including rivers like Apalachicola River near Panama City Beach in Bay County, Lake Okeechobee located between Glades County and Palm Beach County, Charlotte Harbor located between Sarasota County and Charlotte County, plus many others too numerous too list here! All navigable bodies within state boundaries qualify as public waterways meaning anyone may traverse them without restriction provided they follow applicable laws while navigating them just like they would when sailing outside US jurisdiction!

Freedom Of Navigation In International Waters

The freedom of navigation in international waters allows anyone who has access to a ship or boat access unrestricted travel throughout much of the world’s oceans provided they abide by applicable laws while doing so, this applies both recreational vessels like those used for pleasure cruises around Key West or commercial ships used for trading purposes too!

Additionally captains should always consult with local authorities before entering foreign jurisdictions such as exclusive economic zones so they can remain compliant with applicable regulations while doing so otherwise their journey could end prematurely due to legal action taken against them!

Conclusion

To summarize: anyone looking for an answer about how far off the coast of Florida does one have to sail before reaching international waters will find that distance starts after travelling more than 24 nautical miles away from land depending on their starting point along US coastline points like Key West!

Additionally captains should always be aware of special jurisdictions such as contiguous zones/territorial seas/exclusive economic zones/navigable bodies/high seas etc…which may extend further outwards up 200 nautical miles offshore depending on which country’s EEZs you enter at any given time!

Finally always consult with local authorities before entering these areas so you can remain compliant with applicable regulations while doing so otherwise your journey could end prematurely due too legal action taken against you!