Case library · The Three-Mile Limit
Chased Past the Line
United States v. F/V Taiyo Maru No. 28 (1975)
Charge: High-seas hot-pursuit seizureCourt: U.S. District Court, D. MaineState: MaineDocket: The Three-Mile Limit
May a country chase a boat onto the high seas and seize it for breaking fishing rules inside a coastal zone?
The facts
A foreign fishing boat was caught fishing about ten miles off an island, inside the twelve-mile fishing zone. Signalled to stop, it turned and ran for open water. A cutter gave chase and took it about sixty-eight miles out, well onto the high seas. Its owner and master said the seizure was void: treaties let a country chase a fleeing ship out of such a zone only over customs, tax, immigration or health rules.
You have the facts the court had. Guilty or not guilty? Call it in the game with your friends, then see what the court actually decided. Wrong call, you drink.
Citation: United States v. F/V Taiyo Maru No. 28, 395 F. Supp. 413 (D. Me. 1975)
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