ABSTRACT
This chapter has responded to a great deal of demand in practice, on how the Master can respond to aggression presented by Port or Coastal States. In particular, the current issues trouble seafarers greatly in the Persian Gulf, creating a pressing demand for some understanding of the problems and possible solutions for avoiding seizure and worse. More intractable still are the problems presented by piracy. This chapter examines how current law exposes the Master to criminal risks, and they must incorporate such risks into their ship-board management plans for the safety of life and the vessel. In particular, the risk of liability for armed guards is assessed; perhaps the only solution is offered by the example of Captain Stapleton of the Teignbank.
