Caribbean Maritime University

Faculty of Marine and Nautical Studies

BSc Marine Transportation Yr. II
United Nations Conventions on the Law of the Sea- Part I

Introduction

The law of the sea is embodied in the Geneva Convention of 1958 and the United Nations Convention
on the law of the sea, 1982 (UNCLOS).

The Legal Status of UNCLOS

The sovereignty of a coastal State extends beyond its land territory and internal waters to an adjacent
belt of sea, described as the territorial sea. In the case of an archipelagic State, it extends beyond its
archipelagic waters to an adjacent belt of sea, described as the territorial sea.

The sovereignty over the territorial sea is exercised by coastal and archipelagic States, subject to the
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and other rules of international law.

Definitions

Pollution of the marine environment means the introduction by man, directly or indirectly, of
substances or energy into the marine environment, including estuaries, which results or is likely to result
in such deleterious effects as harm to living resources and marine life, hazards to human health,
hindrance to marine activities, including fishing and other legitimate uses of the sea, impairment of
quality for use of sea water and reduction of amenities.

Dumping means any deliberate disposal of wastes or other matter from vessels, aircrafts, platforms or
other man-made structures at sea. Dumping includes any deliberate disposal of vessels, aircrafts,
platforms or other man-made structure at sea.

Dumping does not include the disposal of wastes or other matter accidentally or from the normal
operations of vessels, aircrafts, platforms or other man-made structures at sea.

Force Majeure is any circumstance which is unforeseen and is beyond one’s control. The circumstances
could include an act of God. As an example, if the ship was delayed by bad weather this could be
considered Force Majeure because even with an accurate forecast of bad weather, the speed of the
vessel may still deteriorate thus causing a delay. This particular circumstance may also be considered to
be an act of God.

Maritime Legislation Regulation II/1 – Operational Level

 Caribbean Maritime University
Faculty of Marine and Nautical Studies
BSc Marine Transportation Yr. II
United Nations Conventions on the Law of the Sea- Part I

Exercise 2
1. Define the following:
(a) Dumping
(b) Pollution of the Marine Environment

2. Define the legal status of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the sea, (1982).

Maritime Legislation Regulation II/1 – Operational Level