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... What are the legalities to be observed if you have a death aboard during a blue water cruise, far from port om onternational waters, say in the tropics? ... wether from natural causes or accident. Is one expected to bring the body into port? Is there a procedure to be followed when it comes to burial at sea?
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Utah
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Re: death on the high seas?
Fri, January 23, 2009 - 1:06 PMDo you have a body in your freezer? -
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Re: death on the high seas?
Fri, January 23, 2009 - 9:18 PMIn this hypothetical scenario, there is no freezer aboard the vessel, and it is tropical. The stench and flies are unbearable. One is considering at-sea burial....
what formalities need to be observed? -
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Re: death on the high seas?
Sat, January 24, 2009 - 6:17 AMI jest...This topic generated a lot of discussion at my club.
First priority is the remaining living...
Question to ask daily....Is the corpse currently contaminated or diseased in such a way as to present a hazard to the rest of the ship?
Bearing in mind that even in the tropics you have 3-5 days before a properly treated corpse gets foul enough to present a health hazard. Freezing it actually damages body...whereas keeping it in cool (4 C) dry conditions it will last for several weeks. I'd say that you'd be wise to keep it in storage for as long as possible and make haste to the nearest port of call. Take photos of the circumstances of the death, preserve evidence and take names of witnesses, and make a report to authorities ASAP. Boats arriving with missing crewmembers look very suspicious in the eyes of the authorities.
If the disposal of the body is deemed absolutely necessary, then there is a protocol that is to be observed in formal circumstances...but I would feel that an appropriate respectful treatment would suffice.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burial_at_sea
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Re: death on the high seas?
Sat, June 13, 2009 - 6:47 PMIt depends on what country you are in? and what state actually. Prudence would suggest you report to coast guard immediately. (And if it was accidental rather than natural they may have already been called in with a pan pan or mayday signal) but the law states that a death or disappearance onboard must be reported as soon as you return to port. Here in washington you actually report incidents to the parks deptartment and or sherrif depending on jurisdiction. Unless rescue is needed the coast guard is not who to call. And as someone else mentioned if sanitaion becomes an issue due to decomposition it goes to davy jones rather than harm those left onboard.(most would likely be headed to port if a body was onboard tho!!) as long as there is no plastic on the corpse legally it is just trash that after the 25 mile limit can go over the side...say a few words, maybe a prayer then sheet in the main and continue on your reach! hope that helped. -
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Re: death on the high seas?
Sun, June 14, 2009 - 12:28 AMYes that narrows it down.
Cite please the law, chapter & verse, that acknowledges the remains as refuse. << this useful.
b! -
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Re: death on the high seas?
Mon, June 15, 2009 - 1:41 PMdon't know the law to cite it. this is what we were taught as instructors in the United States Sail and Power Squadrons. sorry I couldnt be more specific! -
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Re: death on the high seas?
Mon, June 15, 2009 - 9:18 PMthat law is practical --- makes natural sense.
Only sometimes a law could be mis-interpreted to death and guess who gets screwed -
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Re: death on the high seas?
Wed, June 17, 2009 - 12:29 PMthe captain of the vessel in question IS the law unless you are within a countries borders....the captain can marry people, set his own ships time, etc...etc...personally my concern is what happens if I toss 'em over the side kickin' and screaming after irritating the livin' hell outta me? lol.. -
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Re: death on the high seas?
Mon, August 3, 2009 - 1:06 PMthrow him into the atoll reclamation pit! -
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Re: death on the high seas?
Mon, August 3, 2009 - 3:14 PMthats the ticket rick!!! waterworld is my favorite movie....depending on how long youve been out and how long since the last fresh meat...darker thoughts may raise thier head.....
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