In the middle of the Caribbean Sea, off the coast of Dominica, I found myself swimming in the darkness. Our dinghy, without power or radio and filling with water, could no longer provide safety. We had no choice but to leave the boat, knowing the current might pull us far from shore. Fortunately, Dominican fishermen rescued me. Mariners share trust and a duty to help those in distress, a principle enshrined in international maritime laws.
On September 2, 2025, a significant incident occurred. The United States attacked an unidentified vessel in international waters and struck again as sailors clung to the wreckage. Over the following months, more than 60 small vessels were attacked, resulting in over 200 deaths. These sailors were not identified as threats. Six Democratic senators reminded U.S. servicemembers of their legal obligations, but strikes persisted until May 30, 2026.
Global trade relies heavily on oceans, with 80% of trade moving by sea. Most international internet traffic flows through undersea cables, not satellites. Recent actions by the U.S. administration have disrupted long-standing maritime laws, endangering safety and economic stability. Freedom of navigation, a vital principle for maritime trade, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, has been compromised.
Other nations, too, have ignored international norms. Protection of subsea cables is crucial. For more than 100 years, they have been safeguarded by treaties. Allegedly, Russia has disrupted cables, while Iran attempts to charge for cable use through the Strait of Hormuz. The mineral resources of the high seas, deemed the ‘common heritage of mankind,’ also face exploitation challenges. Despite this, the U.S. has abandoned multilateral negotiations on deep-sea mining, contradicting environmental scientists’ concerns.
The U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea establishes guidelines for navigation, cable protection, and resource management. Although President Clinton signed the implementation agreement in 1994, the Senate did not ratify it, leaving U.S. adherence uncertain. This uncertainty impacts trust within the maritime community. The retreat from long-standing norms jeopardizes all who rely on the sea.
Restoring U.S. credibility requires Senate ratification of the Law of the Sea Convention. Without this, rescuing stranded sailors in distress might become a rarity. Andrew D. Thaler is a deep-sea ecologist and ocean educator who addresses high seas resource exploitation. He is affiliated with The OpEd Project.