Customary Law News

Florida’s Overseas Shipholding Group (OSG) has applauded the efforts of the crew of its vessel the Overseas Long Beach in rescuing 12 people on a vessel in distress.The Overseas Long Beach was on a voyage from Corpus Christi to Jacksonville when it found the boat. The people appeared to be out of food, water, and fuel and in need of medical assistance. In coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Sector New Orleans, the Master and crew of the Overseas Long Beach established communication with the distressed vessel…

President Bush issued a statement supporting U.S. accession to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, a clear sign to the new 110th Senate to act quickly to join the treaty which governs use of the world's oceans. Senate approval is the final step for the U.S. to formally join more than 140 nations that have already ratified or accessed to the Convention. The treaty went into effect in 1994 but the United States has not yet joined it. The members of the Senate Foreign Relations committee voted unanimously for accession in 2004 but the measure was not brought to the floor for a vote. One hundred and fifty two nations and the European Commission have joined the treaty. The U.S.