International Waters Jurisdiction

Is the idea that you're in international water so you can do what you want? What stops a navy coming and confiscating your equipment then? They stop drug smugglers and pirates in international waters all the time. And you'll be static!

I would assume that all bets are off once they reach international waters?

The ship has to be under some countries flag, it's not like international waters are a totally lawless zone where you can loot, murder and rape without consequence.

No, because it happened in international waters ON THEIR assets.

Well, technically, there's nobody to police the high seas...that seems to be the deciding point. Try that overland and see what gets dispatched.

There are plenty of laws (in this case, more like 'treaties') regarding international waters and use thereof. You can't do whatever you like, you certainly can't avoid all laws there. Usually you will have to flag your structure as being part of a nation and then follow their laws while onboard.

This is a bit reminiscent of the situation with ships as discussed in this story submitted earlier today: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9902057If your ship sails under the flag of country X, then it is generally country X's navy that has the authority to keep you in line in international waters. So pick a country like the Bahamas (where the ship in the story was flagged) whose n

Article 27 of the UN convention on the high seas stipulates that all signatories treat this as a crime if their subjects or flag-bearers do it, so it's hardly a free for all.Although, typically, the USA has refused to ratify it. Maybe you'd be fine!

They can’t stop it in international waters.

It’s international waters. What “government” are you referring to?