June 30, 2022
Reports that as many as 60 passengers were involved in an “all-out brawl” around 5:20 a.m.
when the Carnival Magic was returning to port in New York following an eight day cruise to the Caribbean.
The “fray over international waters,” as the local news characterized it, was initially reported by the Panamanian-flagged cruise ship operated by the Panamanian-incorporated cruise line to the U.S. Coast Guard.
As Carnival knows, the USCG is not a law enforcement agency and has no authority to investigate crimes.
Much less investigate crimes on a Panamanian cruise ship in international waters.
The Coast Guard notified the New York Police Department which also clearly does not have jurisdiction to investigate crimes on Panamanian-flagged ships which are outside of New York waters.
An investigation is ongoing and no charges have been announced yet in the case.
The correct jurisdiction would depend on the ship’s position (international waters, territorial seas, New Jersey or New York state waters), and this would have bearing on any law enforcement effort.
© CopyRights Raw_News1st
