'Any Port in a Storm' Rule

[unbusted67]

where exactly does it say in the rule books that a port may not refuse entry to a vessel in distress? Is it the CFR or is it just an unspoken rule?

[GordMay]

The Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) holds that you (a person) must be provided a safe refuge, not that your (possibly leaking oil) ship must be permitted entry.

See 2.3 RIGHTS OF INNOCENT PASSAGE – ACCESS TO PORT – PLACEbOF SAFETY OR REFUGE (page 10 ...)
Here ➥ http://www.panoptica.org/julho_agosto07/009_76A1.pdf

UNCLOS ➥ http://www.un.org/Depts/los/conventi...s/unclos_e.pdf

See also ➥ Places of refuge

[CastOff]

In my opinion it has been a Rule of the Sea since ships began sailing. A Harbor of Refuge in a storm is any protected body of water that a vessel can safely anchor in out of the way of commerical shipping as I understand it. At least that's my take on it after discussing it with many a Professional Captain in my past 40 years of sailing boats. A 'facility', such as a marina, does not have to offer a vessel a place to dock or tie; but neither can it deny entry into an otherwise safe area to anchor during a storm.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by GordMay

The Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) holds that you (a person) must be provided a safe refuge, not that your (possibly leaking oil) ship must be permitted entry.

See 2.3 RIGHTS OF INNOCENT PASSAGE – ACCESS TO PORT – PLACEbOF SAFETY OR REFUGE (page 10 ...)
Here ➥ http://www.panoptica.org/julho_agosto07/009_76A1.pdf

UNCLOS ➥ http://www.un.org/Depts/los/conventi...s/unclos_e.pdf

See also ➥ Places of refuge

The Prestige spill off of Spain comes to mind....
Prestige oil spill - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[SaucySailoress]

On passgae from Bahrain to Kuwait one February, the wind picked up, the sea picked up (30' waves!!!) and we got tired by Day 3 so pulled into a tiny harbour amongst fishing dhows crewed by Sri-Lankans on a Saudi Island.

The saudis and Sri Lankans were so welcoming and hospitable for the two days we took shelter, I will never forget the experience!

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by thinwater

The Prestige spill off of Spain comes to mind....
Prestige oil spill - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Indeed.

[David M]

A government has the right to deny any vessel entry into their country for whichever reason they choose. That is their right as a sovereign nation. Whether its an ethical decision or not is another matter.

[DeepFrz]

The saudis and Sri Lankans were so welcoming and hospitable for the two days we took shelter, I will never forget the experience!

Kate, have you read the description of the warm welcome that Web Chiles was given when he was forced to land on Saudi soil?

[GordMay]

Webb goes up on a reef in the Red Sea, and is arrested & jailed as a spy in Saudi Arabia.
➥ http://www.inthepresentsea.com/the_actual_site/webbchiles.html
➥ http://www.inthepresentsea.com/the_actual_site/arabianprisons.html

[Nauticatarcher]

Originally Posted by David M

A government has the right to deny any vessel entry into their country for whichever reason they choose. That is their right as a sovereign nation. Whether its an ethical decision or not is another matter.

they may deny you entry but they have to give you I think 72 hrs to effect repairs etc, before chucking you out.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Nauticatarcher

they may deny you entry but they have to give you I think 72 hrs to effect repairs etc, before chucking you out.

Nope ...

[jimking100]

So what is it Gord? Can they deny entry or are they supposed to let you in ass a vessel in distress.

[SaucySailoress]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Webb goes up on a reef in the Red Sea, and is arrested & jailed as a spy in Saudi Arabia.
➥ http://www.inthepresentsea.com/the_actual_site/webbchiles.html
➥ http://www.inthepresentsea.com/the_actual_site/arabianprisons.html

I haven't seen this story before, but I have had first hand accounts from a Kuwaiti who was arrested when his engine broke and he drifted into Saudi waters... And plenty of warnings against going into Saudi waters...

Who knows why they were so amazing to us?? Perhaps because there was no questioning the storm and the fact we needed shelter - whereas (if the TV is to be believed) feigning disabled vehicles is a common tactic for gaining entrance into enemy territory?? Also, although it was a Saudi island, I believe we were in international waters.

What I do know, is that Arabs are amazingly proud of their hospitality. Always.

[GordMay]

Your vessel can be denied entry, but there is an obligation to rescue you.

[rebel heart]

We tied up at a temporary dock one night that's normally limited to 15 minutes. I hit up the harbor police on the VHF and told them we were exhausted and I didn't feel comfortable taking the boat to the marina that we were supposed to be headed to. My fault for a too-late departure and for not checking out where we were going in advance.

I told the police that we needed to tie up just to get enough sleep to continue on early the next morning. It all worked out; police were fine with it.

On a previous boat I tied up at the Newport Yacht Club's temporary dock because of a rediculously thick fog bank that had settled in. The kid working there just told me to be gone before 7am the next morning when his boss showed up. Again, worked out fine.

I don't think my luck would hold if I was headed into Iranian waters, but in general I've found most mariners or quasi-mariners to be pretty understanding of "hey man, i can't safely move this vessel and just need to sit here for [less than 12 hours] to get moving again."

I never expect anyone to do anything for me, which might be why people are generally amiable.