How Far Off US Coast Is International Waters?

As a sailing expert, I get asked all the time: how far off the US coast is international waters? The answer to this question is complex, as it depends on which sea zones have been established in the area, as well as different laws and regulations that determine where U.S sovereignty begins and ends at sea.

In this article, I will explain the different maritime sea zones and how they determine the extent of U.S sovereignty in relation to international waters off the US coast.

Definition of International Waters

International waters are any bodies of water located outside of any country’s territorial boundaries or exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

These waters are open to international navigation and fishing rights, but each country still has a right to enforce its own laws within their EEZs, even when it comes to foreign vessels passing through their territorial waters.

History of Maritime Law

The concept of maritime law dates back to Roman times when nations recognized that they had jurisdiction over their own coastal areas and limited rights over other countries’ coastal areas beyond their own boundaries—a principle known as ‘freedom of the seas’.

Over time, this concept has been refined by treaties and international agreements that have established various sea zones with different levels of sovereignty for each nation-state, as well as rules governing navigation through these zones for vessels from other countries.

U.S Territorial Seas

The United States territorial seas extend 12 nautical miles from the baseline—the point from which all measurements are taken—in accordance with international laws such as the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

This means that within this 12 nautical mile area, U.S sovereignty extends to both airspace above and seabed below its territorial sea, giving it exclusive rights to regulate navigation in this area and collect taxes on vessels passing through these waters in accordance with UNCLOS regulations and other treaties such as those signed between nations bordering shared waterways such as the Great Lakes or other inland waterways shared by multiple countries or states in North America or Europe .

International Sea Zones

Beyond its 12 mile territorial sea lies a series of other international sea zones where different nations have varying degrees of sovereignty: The contiguous zone extends out another 12 nautical miles beyond the baseline, giving each nation some degree of control over vessels entering its territorial seas, The EEZ extends out 200 nautical miles from the baseline giving coastal nations exclusive rights over resources found within their EEZ, And finally there is the high seas which lies beyond 200 nautical miles from any nation’s baseline where all nations have equal rights over navigation, fishing, etc., but no nation can claim exclusive sovereign rights over these areas .

Contiguous Zone

The contiguous zone extends from 12-24 nautical miles from a coastal state’s baseline and gives them some degree of control over vessels entering their territorial seas—such as customs inspections for contraband goods or enforcement actions against vessels suspected of illegal activities—but does not give them full sovereign powers like those found within their EEZs .

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

The EEZ extends out 200 nautical miles from a coastal state’s baseline giving it full sovereign powers over resources found within its EEZ—such as offshore oil deposits or fishing stocks—and granting it exclusive rights to regulate activities such as exploration or exploitation in these areas .

High Seas

Beyond 200 nautical miles lie what are known as ‘high seas’. These are international waters where all nations have equal rights over navigation, fishing, etc., but no one nation can claim exclusive sovereign powers in these areas .

International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL)

Where two countries share a common maritime border—such as Canada and United States on the Great Lakes or Mexico and United States on the Gulf Coast—they must agree upon an IMBL which defines their respective maritime borders so that each country is aware of which waters fall under its jurisdiction .

International Waters and U.S Sovereignty

In conclusion, it is important to remember that while there is an area known as ‘international waters’ located off US coasts, this does not mean that US sovereignty isn’t applicable here, rather it means that certain laws must be respected by foreign vessels navigating through these waters or those looking to exploit resources found within US EEZs or high seas beyond US borders . The US also has jurisdiction over its own territorial seas extending out 12 nautical miles from its baselines where it has full sovereign power to regulate navigation and enforce its own laws within these areas .
It is important for sailing experts like myself to be aware of maritime law when navigating through international waters off US coasts so we can ensure we respect all laws applicable in each respective area we pass through .

Conclusion

In summary, how far off US coast is international waters depends on which sea zones have been established in any given area—the US has full sovereign power over its 12 mile territorial seas while different regulations may apply beyond this line depending on whether you enter into an EEZ or high seas zone controlled by another country with whom you may share common borders such as Canada or Mexico .

It is important for sailing experts to be aware of all applicable laws when navigating these areas so they can remain compliant with all regulations applicable in any given zone they pass through .