Understanding Maritime Interceptions

Inside this gallery: 12 historical photographs, each with the year, the place, and the story behind the picture.

• The Reality of Maritime Interceptions — the past. A single image of a vessel at sea often sparks online speculation, but a photograph alone cannot establish the legal or operational facts of a maritime encounter.
• Establishing Jurisdiction at Sea — the past. Navigation rules apply to all public and private vessels subject to the jurisdiction of the United States when they are on the high seas or connected navigable waters.
• Identifying the Unknown Vessel — the past. When identifying vessels at sea, navigation rules classify them into specific operational categories to determine their responsibilities.
• Navigating a Safe Approach — the past. Under international and inland navigation rules, every vessel must proceed at a safe speed at all times to avoid collisions.

Tap any photo above to jump in, or view the full story below.