United States v. Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd.
United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico
24 F. Supp. 2d 155 (1997)

- Written by Alex Ruskell, JD
Facts
The United States Coast Guard saw a ship owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. (defendant) dumping oil into the United States’ territorial sea off the coast of Puerto Rico. The ship flew the flag of Norway. The United States indicted Royal Caribbean for unlawfully discharging pollutants into United States’ territorial sea. Royal Caribbean moved to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction. Royal Caribbean argued that under the law of the flag that was customary under international law, Norway had sole jurisdiction over any act done by Royal Caribbean’s ship.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Perez-Gimenez, J.)
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