Category Archives: High Seas

The clock ran out Friday at UN talks to forge a legally binding treaty to protect open oceans beyond national jurisdictions, with no schedule set for prolonging the discussions.

This fourth round of negotiations since 2018 -- preceded by a decade of preliminary talks -- was meant to create vast marine reserves to prevent biodiversity loss, oversee industrial-scale fisheries and share out the "genetic resources" of the sea.

"We have not come to the end of our work," said conference president Rena Lee, a diplomate from Singapore, noting that the Covid pandemic had caused major delays.

"I believe that with continued commitment, determination and dedication, we will be able to build bridges and close the remaining gaps," she said at the end of Friday's session.

It now rests with the United Nations General Assembly to give the green light for another round of talks.

"All efforts must be devoted in the coming months to secure this long-awaited treaty in 2022," said Peggy Kalas, president of the High Seas Alliance, a coalition of more than forty major NGOs and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

A so-called High Ambition Coalition of European Union nations and 13 other countries, including India, Australia, Canada and Britain, have endorsed the same goal.

Some nations and many environmental groups have called for at least 30 percent of the world's oceans to be granted protected status, a target also to be on the table at UN biodiversity talks later this year.

Currently less that one percent of open ocean enjoys that status, according to the High Seas Alliance.

Oceans produce half the oxygen we breathe, regulate the weather and provide humanity's single largest source of protein.

But they are being pushed to the brink by human activities.

- Marine genetic resources -

Carbon dioxide emissions and global warming drive devastating marine heatwaves and acidification.

The UN's climate science advisory body has projected that more than 99 percent of shallow water corals will die if average global temperatures rise more than degrees above preindustrial levels.

"The oceans as a whole are becoming warmer, the salinity levels are increasing. There's less oxygen for marine life," said Liz Karan, an expert with The Pew Charitable Trusts.

Humans have also fished some marine species to the edge of extinction, and used the world's waters as a garbage dump.

Today, a patchwork of agreements and regulatory bodies govern shipping, fishing, and mineral extraction, while the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, negotiated in the 1970s, lays out rules for how far a nation's zone of influence extends beyond its shores.

But despite two decades of consultations, there is still no treaty protecting international waters beyond national jurisdiction, accounting for about two-thirds of the world's oceans.

Another contentious question is who gets a share of the benefits from the exploitation of what are known as "marine genetic resources".

Poorer countries fear they will be sidelined as wealthier nations scour the seas for the next wonder ingredients for the pharmaceutical, chemical or cosmetic industries, and lock up the spoils in trademarks and patents.

Will McCallum, head of oceans for Greenpeace UK, said wrapping up a deal by the end of this was crucial.

"We're not disappointed to have a 5th session," he told AFP. "But if a deal is not concluded in 2022 the chances of having a solid treaty are practically zero."

"Ministers and heads of state need to step up ahead of the next round of negotiations to ensure we land the strong treaty," he added.

The treaty covers the so-called high seas, which begin beyond national exclusive economic zones that extend 200 nautical miles (370 kilometres) from their shores.

See the rest here:

High seas treaty talks fail to reach a deal

Onamet (file photo).

Santo Domingo.- The National Meteorological Office (Onamet), reported Wednesday that moderate downpours with thunderstorms and possible wind gusts will continue, especially in the afternoon until the early evening hours, while seas will remain rough.

Forecasters predicted that these rains will be more prevalent in the northwest, north, northeast, and southeast (especially in Greater Santo Domingo), the Central Cordillera, and the border area. This is due to a frontal system to the northeast of the country and a constant movement of clouds over the territory caused by prevailing winds from the east/northeast.

The meteorological service is forecasting high wave activity at sea and advises fragile and small boats to sail close to the coastline without venturing out to sea.

Meanwhile, for tomorrow, Thursday, conditions will be favorable for persistent downpours, thunderstorms, and occasional wind gusts, mainly in the afternoon until the early evening towards the northwest, northeast, southeast, Cibao Valley, Central Cordillera, and the border area, as a result of moisture and instability left by the frontal system and a trough that is approaching the country.

Continue reading here:

Weather forecast: Showers and rough seas - Dominican Today

International guests are now welcome aboard Royal Caribbean Internationals popular ocean getaways

AFTER such a long time staying put, holidaymakers can finally pack their bags from April 11 six months sooner than anticipated, for the ultimate adventure on board Royal Caribbean Internationals Spectrum of the Seas.

Sailings are now open for bookings onboard Asias largest, newest and most innovative ship for a spectacular three to nine nights of ocean getaways and sailings that will visit the best of Asia.

Choose from a three- to four-night ocean getaway this April to June, or the three- to nine-night sailings this October to April 2023 that will take you to visit ports of call in Malaysia and Thailand.

We know vacation time is precious, which is why we are thrilled to welcome Spectrum of the Seas one of the most advanced ships in the world, to Singapore in April, said Royal Caribbean International Asia Pacific vice president and managing director Angie Stephen.

The combination of experiences specially designed for the Asian market, together with signature Royal Caribbean favourites, will make Spectrum a huge hit.

I would like to thank the Singapore government for their strong partnership and collaboration that have allowed cruising to become one of the safest holiday options in the world.

A spectacular holiday experience awaits holidaymakers on board.

Royal Caribbean International Asia Pacific regional director of sales Kenneth Yeo added: The Asia-Pacific region holds tremendous opportunity for the growth of the cruise industry. As we navigate Covid-19 as endemic, we are confident holidaymakers around the region will see cruising as an unbeatable adventure-packed holiday.

Highlights on board Spectrum include:

Sky Pad: Asias first virtual reality bungee trampoline adventure whereby guests transport themselves to another time and planet.

Suite enclave: Royal Caribbeans first exclusive space for the exquisite Royal Suite Class Star, Sky and Sea accommodations in a private area features exclusive floor access, an elevator, private restaurants and a dedicated lounge area.

Two70: Boasting stunning 270-degree ocean views by day and transforming into a multidimensional theatre by night, this transformative space flaunts six agile Roboscreens, breathtaking live performers and mind-bending aerialists.

Enjoy Asias first virtual reality bungee trampoline adventure with Sky Pad.

SeaPlex: The largest indoor active space at sea featuring bumper cars, laser tag, fencing, archery and more.

Star Moment: A lively and energetic karaoke venue.

Family-friendly accommodations: From balcony staterooms and interconnected rooms, to the signature two-level Ultimate Family Suite an expansive, multiroom retreat complete with its own slide and cinema that also doubles as a karaoke stage theres an array of staterooms designed for the whole family.

Signature experiences: A bold line-up of guest favourites on deck including the FlowRider surf simulator, the North Star an all-glass observation capsule which ascends 100m above the ocean to deliver incomparable 360-degree views and RipCord by iFly, the first sky diving experience at sea.

A world of flavours: There are 19 dining options serving up a variety of cuisines, including hot pot, teppanyaki, and Sichuan Red, a new specialty dining experience tailored just for Spectrum, offering a bold tapestry of spices and Sichuan flavours. Signature classics include imaginative cuisine at Wonderland, American steakhouse Chops Grille and authentic rustic fare and handmade pasta at Jamies Italian.

The FlowRider is among guest favourites.

In line with its royal promise and regulations stipulated by the Singapore government, Royal Caribbean continues to implement health and safety measures for the well-being of its guests and crew members, and the destinations it visits.

The comprehensive, multi-layered set of measures includes pre-departure wellness screenings and testing, contactless embarkation and debarkation, enhanced ventilation and sanitisation on board, as well as sailing with fully vaccinated crew members and guests.

The cruise line will continue to evaluate and update its measures as circumstances evolve with various government and health authorities.

For more information or to make reservations, visit your preferred travel and tour agency at MATTA Fair World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur, April 9-10 (9am-7pm) or go to http://www.RoyalCaribbean.com.

Enjoy a promotion when you book during this MATTA Fair only with rates from RM888 and kids (age 12 and below at the time of cruising) cruise for free (based on three nights onboard of the Spectrum Of The Seas). Terms and conditions apply.

The rest is here:

Take to the high seas and cruise away on holiday - The Star Online

In a nostalgic comeback stream, Summit returned to Sea of Thieves and brought back the classic high seas shenanigans that longtime fans are sure to remember.

Along with pulling off an Athena heist, Summit and his crew of friends and fellow streamers tormented all those unlucky enough to cross their ships path. It was 10 hours deep into his Sea of Thieves stream when Summit spotted a golden opportunity to sneak onto a ship they had previously engaged with. The streamer dove off his ship and quickly boarded the unsuspecting pirate ship.

Summit snuck to the top of his enemys ship, somehow avoiding detection by laying prone on the ground. Though the unfortunate soul turned around to investigate their ship, like a Skyrim NPC, the player eventually disregarded the potential intrusion and returned to business as usual.

In disbelief that he avoided being caught, Summit took the chance to mess with the ship further. Like Solid Snake, the streamer carefully snuck down the ship and into the captains quarters, where he proceeded to draw male genitalia on the players map with waypoint circles.

The invaded pirate eventually grew wiser after seeing that their map had been clearly altered. Eventually, Summits crew caught up and began to rain cannonballs on the already demoralized target. The opposing pirate, realizing his situation and recently discovered stowaway, quickly disconnected from the game before seeing his ship sink to the bottom of the ocean.

A near miss that landed Summit an opportunity for some classic Sea of Thieves pranks, chat applauded the streamers return to the beloved game.

Continue reading here:

Summit bamboozles his way onto stranger's ship in Sea of Thieves - Dot Esports

TOKYO Relations between Greece and Japan are based on a pillar of shared values and principles, Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said on Wednesday in a statement after meeting Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi in Tokyo.

Today, we discussed our bilateral ties. The pillar of our ties is that we share common principles and common values. Starting with respect for International Law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. I have to say, UNCLOS for Greece is a tenet of our foreign policy.

We have commenced an experts Dialogue between our Ministries on Law of the Sea issues. We look forward to continuing it in the near future.

Respect for the Law of the Sea is also reflected in QUAD decisions, of which Japan, along with Australia, New Zealand and the US, is a member, Dendias said.

Noting that Japan is a signatory of the 1923 Lausanne Treaty, the Peace Treaty between the Entente Powers and Turkey, Dendias pointed out that this was the Treaty that established the borders between the countries of the region. And it is exactly those borders that revisionist forces aspire to re-draw.

Greece and Japan, he added, seek to promote stability and security in our respective regions, building relations by promoting the peaceful resolution of disputes, as well as by rejecting the threat or use of force.

We both uphold the principle of the freedom of navigation in the high seas and we addressed cooperation in international fora, most notably the UN, Dendias said.

The minister noted that his visit marked Greeces renewed efforts to further strengthen ties with Japan and pointed out that the Greek Prime Minister, Prime Minister Mitsotakis, has extended an invitation to Prime Minister Kishida to visit Athens.

He referred to the history of the two countries diplomatic relations and noted that the centenary since the establishment of the Japanese Embassy in Athens coincided with that of the Asia Minor Catastrophe, during which the captain and the crew of the Japanese ship Tokei Maru saved in September 1922 more than 800 Greeks and Armenians fleeing the burning city of Smyrna.

We are grateful to Japan for this humanitarian gesture, which we will never forget, he added.

Dendias said that he had reiterated Greeces unilateral support for Japans candidature as a non-permanent member at the UN Security Council in 2023-24, expressing gratitude for Japans support of Greeces candidature for the succeeding period, 2025-26.

We work closely in the International Maritime Organization (), we have discussed the EU-Japan relations on trade matters, and, also, I think we both believe in the full implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement. We also discussed, and we are going to discuss during lunch, how we are going to enhance our bilateral relations, especially in areas like tourism, energy and trade, he said.

They also discussed the situation in Ukraine, following the Russian invasion, Dendias added, while he had opportunity to thank Japan for taking a clear and principled stance on this issue.

Greece, from the beginning, condemned the use of force against the territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine, or any other country in the world. I reiterated that revisionism, wherever it appears, is a thing of the past and must be condemned. I also briefed my colleague on my recent visit to Odessa delivering humanitarian aid, he said.

Dendias said that challenges in the Eastern Mediterranean, in the Western Balkans, but also in the Indo-Pacific will be discussed with his counterpart over lunch, while repeating Athens strong condemnation of the launch of a ballistic missile by North Korea.

This is a gross violation of relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and should not be accepted by the international community, he said.

The rest is here:

Dendias: Common Principles and Values the "illar' of Greek-Japanese ties - The National Herald

MIAMI (PRWEB) April 13, 2022

After a tumultuous couple of years of rough waters, Whet Travel is back for an incredible 19th season and 35th sailing of Groove Cruise as the worlds original and largest floating electronic music festival shines as a beacon of hope that things are getting back to normal. Between January 19th and 23rd, 2023, the award-winning luxury cruise ship, Celebrity Summit, will welcome aboard party captains as it sets sail for the trip of a lifetime, from Miami to Labadee.

After pivoting to successful virtual cruises during the pandemic, Groove Cruise returned to the high seas in supremely safe fashion this past January at the height of Omicron. Last time out, there was not a single onboard case of Covid, thanks to our rigorous safety measures. The cruises theme will be hope, as a way of noting that, finally, the pandemic is sailing away, and we are back to enjoying the freedoms we love.

Once onboard, captains will be treated to 96-hours of non-stop electronic music from over 50 of the world's best electronic music artists on 9 stages hosted by the most cutting edge brands, record labels, and industry leaders, all with immersive and mind-blowing production.

Celebrity Summit is an award-winning luxury cruise ship that has recently been revolutionized completely to become one of the first cruise ships powered by environmentally-friendly gas turbines. Featuring high seas luxury, around-the-clock entertainment, and world-class dining in a safe environment, the ship is now one of the most technologically advanced globally after the fleet has had more than $500-million in luxurious upgrades, including:

Extravagantly transformed Suites, Restaurants, Bars, Boutiques, and Casino Travel Weeklys Magellan Gold Awards for The Spa by Canyon Ranch and Penthouse Suite Design All-New Craft Social Featuring over 40 Craft Beers and Creative Cocktails The Retreat Sundeck & Lounge envisioned by world-renowned designer Kelly Hoppen, MBE, plus exclusive Luminae Restaurant with Signature Dishes from Michelin-Starred Chef, Daniel Boulud

Whether you like to indulge in food, sport, relaxation, games, or education, there are endless cruise activities. From health & wellness to contemporary art collections, hot glass classes to casino games and slots, croquet or bocce at the Lawn Club, pool volleyball, theatre shows, and so much more.

As always, there will be eight costume parties that have become a favorite feature of the floating festival, along with a wealth of exclusive artist and fan activities that get you up close and personal with the stars.

Touching down at the Labadee private paradise party in Haiti, Captains will gravitate towards awe-inspiring activities like:

The Dragons Breath Flight Line: the worlds longest zip line over water at 500 feet up The Dragons Tail Roller Coaster: coast down Labadees mountainside at 30 mph Private Cabanas: unwind on one of the Caribbeans sparkling beaches Boat and Island Tours Parasailing Jet skis and Kayaks The Dragons Cafe: a local eatery featuring Labadees signature drink, the Labodoozie

Tickets for Groove Cruise Miami 2023 go on sale April 13 at 12pm EST and will sell out, so navigate over to GrooveCruise.com and book this bucket list adventure now.

About Whet TravelFor the past 18 years, Whet Travel has curated and produced more half-and full-ship music cruises than any other independent company. Partnering with some of the cruise industrys most recognized and trusted brands, the revolutionary company has executed more than 50 wildly successful events including Groove Cruise, Shiprocked, Motorboat, Zen Cruise, Salsa Cruise, Aventura Dance Cruise, and Groove Island, among others. Innovators since their launch in 2004, Whet Travel was named Inc. Magazines No. 4 fastest-growing travel company in the country, has won the prestigious Charter Partner of the Year award from Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Lines, and has been featured in USA Today, Billboard, Travel Channel, NBC, Forbes, and more.

About Groove CruiseKnown as the world's first and largest floating dance music festival, Groove Cruise is the only music cruise to sail from both East and West coasts. It is a non-stop experience comprising four straight days of beach, pool and theme parties, numerous delectable restaurants, 24/7 electronic dance music, art installations, and exotic destination experiences. In addition to the standard cruise amenities, there are also artist activities, Whet Oasis Zen Experience, world-class production, and various onboard events that rival the best dance music festivals in the world. Groove Cruise is produced by Whet Travel.

About Whet FoundationThe Whet Foundation is a Florida based 501c3 organization that offers grass roots disaster relief for those experiencing hardships and creates exciting experiences for underprivileged children in South Florida, the Caribbean and Mexico. Through our Community Captains and Destination Donation programs, we strive to excite the lives of those less fortunate in a fun and engaging way while positively affecting an entire generation. In 2020, the Whet Foundation launched its COVID-19 Relief Fund through the Groove Cruise Virtual Sail Aways live streams on twitch and have since accumulated over 9 million minutes watched and 1 million live views; this massive support raised over $50,000 for those facing hardships due to COVID-19 and was able to send over 250 relief grants and donate hundreds of face shields to multiple hospitals in South Florida.

Original post:

Groove Cruise, The World's Largest Floating Dance Music Festival, Announces Its Upcoming Excursion Aboard Newly Remodeled and Award-Winning Ship - PR...

There were many powerful battleships during the 2oth century. Where does the Iron Duke rank?HMSIron Dukewas the second battleship named after the Duke of Wellington. The first, scrapped in 1906, had the distinction of ramming and sinking HMSVanguard, anotherRoyal Navy battleship. The secondIron Dukewas the name ship of the last class of dreadnoughts to enter Royal Navy service prior to the beginning of World War I.

It and its sisters were considered super-dreadnoughts, an ill-defined term that distinguishes the second generation of dreadnought battleships from the first. Generally speaking, super-dreadnoughtsavoided wing turrets, carrying guns in the centerline with super-firing turrets. Most super-dreadnoughts carried weapons heavier than twelve inches (although this varied from country to country), and had more advanced armor schemes. However, no one has successfully established a clear definition for the distinction.

Laid down in 1912,Iron Dukewas commissioned in March 1914. It displaced twenty-five thousand tons, and carried ten 13.5-inch guns in five twin turrets. Its secondary armament, deployed in singlecasemates, consisted of twelve six-inch guns. Like mostRoyal Navy battleshipsof the era, it could make twenty-one knots.Iron Dukewas a well-designed ship, capable of outgunning its German (if not its American) counterparts, and serving as the basis for the even more heavily armed Chilean battleshipAlmiranteLatorre. The Iron Dukes were the third four-ship class of super-dreadnought (following the Orions and the King George Vs), and represented a staggering acceleration of peacetime naval construction on the part of the United Kingdom. The Royal Navy, mindful of its competition with Germany, would commission twenty-two super-dreadnoughts between 1912 and 1917, plus another half-dozenbattlecruisers. OnlyU.S. aircraft-carrier construction in World War IIcan compare with this level of productivity.

HMSIron Dukebecame flagship of the Grand Fleet upon its creation in August 1914.Iron Dukecarried the flag of Adm. John Jellicoe, who had been promoted by Winston Churchill to command at the beginning of the war. Jellicoes job was to not lose the war, and the way to do that was to avoid being destroyed by the German High Seas Fleet. Given that the German fleet was smaller than the Grand Fleet and was limited geographically, this was an achievable task. Jellicoe understood that numerical superiority was key to victory in modern naval engagements, and steadfastly refused to allow the Royal Navy to meet the High Seas Fleet in detail. Consequently, the Grand Fleet spent most of its time conducting gunnery and seamanship drills, punctuated by the occasional sortie to try to catch the High Seas Fleet in the open.

The only genuinely productive sortie of this sort came in late May 1916, whenIron Dukeserved as Jellicoes flagship at the Battle of Jutland. At the head of the British line, it inflicted serious damage on the German battleship SMSKonig, as well as several smaller ships. The German prey escaped in the night, however, andIron Dukereturned to Scapa Flow as the Navy became mired in controversy. The failure to destroy the High Seas Fleet, despite obvious British advantages, took a severe toll on public and elite impressions of Admiral Jellicoe. Jellicoe was eventually promoted out of the command of the Grand Fleet, and replaced by David Beatty. The crew ofIron Dukedidnt care for the new admiral, so Beatty moved his flag toQueen Elizabeth. The rest ofIron Dukes World War I career was uneventful.

The Washington Naval Treaty culled the worlds battleship fleets, butIron Dukesurvived the first cut of 1922. It served extensively in the Black Sea and in the Mediterranean, helping to manage the fallout of the Russian Civil War and the Greco-Turkish War. The Royal Navy investigated a modernization scheme in the late 1920s, but expected the pending London Naval Treaty of 1930 to further reduce the number of allowable battleships. Instead of a modernization,Iron Dukewas demilitarized, losing most of its armor and much of its armament. It served as a gunnery training ship for the rest of the 1930s, and was an accommodation ship at the beginning of World War II. In October 1939, long-range German bombers struck Scapa Flow, and damaged it badly enough to force a grounding. A March 1940 raid inflicted additional damage, andIron Dukewould remain in place for the balance of the war. In 1948Iron Dukewas sent to the breakers.

HMSIron Dukeand its sisters perfectly captured the super dreadnought concept; their large guns, tripod masts and balanced appearance made them look both stout and deadly.Iron Dukeseemed singularly well named for its role as flagship of the Grand Fleet, although it is odd that the greatest collection of Royal Navy capital ships was led by a ship that took the name of a British Army commander. Its type was of so little use by World War II that the Royal Navy made no effort to restore it to frontline service, as it would have suffered badly under the guns of modern German, Japanese and Italian warships.

Robert Farleyis a Senior Lecturer at the Patterson School at the University of Kentucky.

Editors Note: The original picture was removed and replaced as it was mislabeled at the source.

Go here to read the rest:

Meet the Iron Duke-Class: The Most Powerful Battleship of World War I? - 19FortyFive

Advertisement

The U.N.-designated North Korean vessel Hoe Ryong left a stretch of Chinese coastline south of Shanghai and headed back to North Korean waters in late March. That was just one of several such journeys the sanctioned ship has made in recent years, with apparently little or no effort made to hide its voyages through Chinese territorial waters.

Although the vessels tracking Auto Identification System (AIS) broadcasts are occasionally patchy common practice among North Koreas fleet of smugglers the U.N., U.S., U.K., and EU sanctioned ship seems to be less concerned with hiding its location than many of its peers.

But the Hoe Ryong is careful in one regard: It does not visit or broadcast visits to Chinese ports. Seeing as the vessel is subject to a U.N.-mandated asset freeze, any such visit would place mandatory seizure requirements on Beijing. Being at sea just a short distance away seems to appease regulators and gives China enough wiggle room to justify its apparent lack of action.

A recently released report from the U.N. Panel of Experts (PoE) tasked with monitoring North Korean sanctions evasion notes that such North Korean ship journeys to Zhoushan, along the coast of Chinas Zhejiang province, are not rare. That said, the Hoe Ryongs U.N. blacklisted status does make the vessel stand out among most of its smuggling peers and could potentially place additional obligations on Beijing.

Get briefed on the story of the week, and developing stories to watch across the Asia-Pacific.

The Hoe Ryongs recorded journeys since January 1 2020. Image: Pole Star Space Applications.

Enjoying this article? Click here to subscribe for full access. Just $5 a month.

Into the Breach

The North Korea-registered Hoe Ryong has made numerous journeys around the Korean Peninsula in recent years, apparently transporting materials between North Korean coastlines via stops in waters close to Shanghai.

The Zhoushan Port Area near Shanghai is a favored hot spot for sanctions busting ship-to-ship transfers, with numerous reports noting how North Korean vessels transit to the area to exchange designated cargos like coal and oil.

Yet while most North Korean vessels take measures to conceal their movements through Chinese waters, the Hoe Ryong seems less cautious, broadcasting its location relatively consistently as it sails around the network waterways made by several large islands in the area.

Since the start of 2020, the Hoe Ryong has stopped of in the Zhoushan area five times, despite North Koreas apparently strict COVID-19 measures, which impacted both sea- and land-borne trade.

During such visits, the sanctioned North Korean ship appears to loiter near one or more of the islands in the area for several days before setting sail once again for North Korean shores, behavior consistent with North Korean ships engaged in ship-to-ship transfers.

The Hoe Ryongs route near two islands off the coast of Shanghai in 2020. Image: Pole Star Space Applications.

The latest such voyage coming in late March differed slightly and showed the North Korean ship apparently arriving and departing somewhere near the Chinese mainland coastline, to the south of Shanghai.

The Hoe Ryongs route towards the Chinese mainland coastline in late March. Image: Pole Star Space Applications.

In their most recent report published on April 1, the PoE included photographs of another of the Hoe Ryongs journeys, which took place in 2021. The PoE noted that the sanctioned ship was riding low in water when it arrived in Ningbo-Zhoushan but was later observed riding high in water, indicating it had offloaded DPRK-origin coal during that period of time.

Enjoying this article? Click here to subscribe for full access. Just $5 a month.

Image: U.N. Panel of Experts.

In all visits to Chinese waters, the sanctioned ship appears to keep away from actually docking in any Chinese ports, or at least advertising any such visits. Such an action would impose interdiction requirements on Beijing. According to the U.N. Panel of Experts, when asked about the Hoe Ryongs visit, Beijing replied there is no record of port calls in China, highlighting that the Chinese government believes that its U.N. obligations terminate at its shoreline.

Asset Freeze

As Pyongyangs sanctions evasion machine has grown in scope and complexity, the wording of U.N. resolutions has become harder to parse. The U.N. Security Council (UNSC) attempted to remedy this in the last resolution passed in 2017 by clearly defining how member states should behave with regards to the maritime interdiction of cargo vessels.

According to 2017s Resolution 2397, U.N. member states must interdict any vessel in a port that is carrying out sanctioned activity or transporting sanctioned cargo and may do so for such activity within the member states territorial waters.

Within the lexicon of U.N. sanctions terminology, the word may does a lot of heavy lifting or no lifting at all depending on how its interpreted. It theoretically allows for member states that hold a tough stance on North Korea to investigate suspicious cargo passing through their waters, though it also allows for nations friendlier to Pyongyang to take no action and not technically breach the wording of the resolution.

Yet the story does not end there. The Hoe Ryong was listed as an asset of notorious North Korean arms dealer Ocean Maritime Management (OMM) in U.N. Resolution 2270, which clearly notes that the Hoe Ryong is subject to asset freeze.

The U.N.s resolutions contain additional provisions for designated entities, with 2006s Resolution 1718 mandating that member states freeze economic assets like designated vessels within their territories. Seeing as China lays claim to vast swathes of the ocean around its borders, it is not a stretch to suppose that waters immediately surrounding Chinese islands may be considered the countrys territory.

An additional provision in the subsequent Resolution 2397 also adds that if a Member State has information regarding the number, name, and registry of vessels encountered in its territory or on the high seas that are designated by the Security Council then the Member State shall notify the Committee of this information and what measures were taken to carry out an inspection, an asset freeze and impoundment or other appropriate action as authorized by the relevant provisions of resolutions.

The key phrase in the paragraph relates to the number, name, and registry of the vessel, a measure likely included in the resolution as North Korean vessels tend to shuffle their identities and associated identifiers in order to evade sanctions. But notably, with designated vessels, the U.N. resolution does not consider a member states jurisdiction ending in its ports, using the wider terms territory and high seas.

With the Hoe Ryong broadcasting its location within Chinese waters, along with its name, IMO number, MMSI number, North Korean registration, and callsign to open sources freely available to anyone with an internet connection, it seems that a case could be made that China does indeed have such information.

Beijing may have also recently worsened its case by passing a data security law that limits foreign companies from accessing AIS ship tracking data from terrestrial Chinese receiving stations. Although some services still appear to have some access to the data, others report a 90 percent drop off.

If this data contains information on U.N. designated vessels moving through Chinese territorial waters which it almost certainly does then Beijing would likely be violating the wording of Resolution 2397 by not reporting such information to the U.N. and what action it took concerning it.

While the Chinese government and the U.N. Security Council have no obligation to make their communications public, the U.N. Panel of Experts reports do provide a window into how China typically answers U.N. investigators when pressed about clear sanctions violations in its waters, with replies usually truculent or inconclusive. To date, there has been no published information on any Chinese interdictions of suspected North Korean smuggling activity within its waters.

The microcosm of North Korean sanctions enforcement seems especially relevant in recent months with numerous countries joining forces in sanctioning Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. How China chooses to interpret the wording of U.N. resolutions in order minimize its enforcement obligations should serve as a reminder of the potential limits of sanctions policy, highlighting that countries friendly to those designated are often able to find a way to circumvent them, if the political will is present to do so.

Read more here:

Sanctioned and Sailing Through Chinese Waters: The Case of the UN-Blacklisted Hoe Ryong - The Diplomat

April 11, 2022Updated: April 11, 2022 11:15p.m.

SAN DIEGO (AP) A man found dead in the water off of San Diego on Monday morning may be the second person to die in a failed weekend attempt to smuggle immigrants into the United States by boat, authorities said.

Beachgoers spotted the fully clothed man at around 10 a.m. along the surf line north of the Ocean Beach pier, San Diego Fire-Rescue spokesman Jose Ysea told the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Investigators will determine the man's identity and how he died but he may have been on small open boat that capsized early Sunday in high seas off Ocean Beach, Ysea said.

One man died and three were rescued but authorities weren't immediately sure how many people had been aboard the craft, a 30-foot fishing-type boat called a panga that is often used to smuggle people from Mexico into the U.S.

Read more from the original source:

2nd California death may be linked to smuggling attempt - Times Union

Costa Rica began 2022 implementing ocean diplomacy in favor of the protection of marine resources in different areas. The country is determined to continue executing all the required actions to protect the different ecosystems and oceans are no exception.

By organizing the High Seas Dialogues, together with Belgium and Monaco, Costa Rica has maintained its leadership position on issues of conservation and sustainable use of marine resources in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Costa Rica has also joined the group of countries leading the initiative for an international treaty on marine plastic pollution.

For the rest of the year, will seek a resolution that achieves the creation of a committee to open a negotiation for a binding instrument. Costa Rica is developing national and regional action plans to achieve the reduction of marine waste, given the high quantity of plastics and microplastics that end up in the ocean.

As a member of the Council of the International Seabed Authority, the country has focused on promoting the inclusion of environmental safeguards that guarantee the effective protection of the marine environment in the Code on Exploration and Mining of the Seabed. It has also been demanding transparency in decision-making processes and promoting a fair and equitable financial mechanism and benefit-sharing scheme.

Also, during the COP 26 celebrated during October 2021, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama and Colombia announced the strengthening of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor (CMAR) and their intention for this area to become a Transboundary Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO. This enhances Costa Ricas commitment to a better and greener world.

The actions implemented are part of a Blue Smart Strategy endorsed by Costa Rica to promote the creation of synergies, particularly among Latin American and Caribbean countries and extra-regional partners, to guide environmentally positive actions. The nation hopes to encourage the expansion of protected areas between countries and create opportunities for dialogue, cooperation, investment and trade.

Along with France and the United Kingdom, the country has highlighted the importance of adopting the 30X30 target (to protect 30% of the planets surface). This was discussed in the Post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, noting the relevance of involving indigenous peoples and local communities in determining the areas to be protected.

The protection of 30% of the global marine area is in itself a nature-based solution, which will allow the recovery of ecosystems essential for biodiversity and the strengthening of the carbon absorption capacity of the oceans.

Finally, Costa Rica believes the negotiation of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdictions (BBNJ) agreement is an essential tool in the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss; which is precisely why the country advocates for the incorporation of clauses that allow the creation, monitoring and reviewing of marine protected areas.

Moreover, the country believes in the inclusion of strong environmental safeguards for economic activities that may be developed in the high seas and in the addition of Environmental Impact Assessments for activities generated in the high seas.

Continued here:

Costa Rica Directs its Efforts Towards Protecting the Ocean : - The Tico Times