On June 18, 2026, COPE° hosted the second session of its webinar, “Addressing the Unjust Criminalization of Seafarers,” led by COPE’s Working Group on Maritime Safety and Security. The session brought together maritime leaders, legal scholars, and industry representatives to examine the growing concern that seafarers are increasingly being drawn into criminal investigations and detention in foreign jurisdictions, often without clear access to due process, independent legal counsel, translation support, or family assistance.
The discussion centered on a critical question for the maritime industry: How can the international community ensure that legitimate law enforcement efforts are balanced with the fundamental rights and protections owed to seafarers?
Understanding the Global Context
The webinar opened with remarks from Hannah Dawicki, who framed the issue as one that sits at the intersection of maritime safety, global trade, human rights, and international law. Seafarers play an essential role in maintaining global commerce, yet when incidents occur at sea or in port, they may find themselves caught in unfamiliar legal systems far from home.
Lisbeth Laurie, Chairperson of COPE’s Working Group on Maritime Safety and Security, provided the global context for the discussion. She explained that as global trade expands, vessels become larger and more complex, and maritime operations rely increasingly on new technologies, seafarers may face greater exposure to criminal investigations involving drug trafficking, maritime accidents, pollution incidents, security breaches, and other operational events.
A key theme from her remarks was the need to balance enforcement with fairness. Strong maritime security and effective law enforcement are essential, but they must be accompanied by clear safeguards that protect the rights of those serving at sea.
Industry Data and Emerging Trends
Captain Kuba Szymanski, Secretary General of InterManager, presented data and case examples illustrating the scope and seriousness of seafarer criminalization. Drawing on information tracked by InterManager, he noted that cases have occurred across multiple regions, with Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, and Africa all represented.
He also highlighted examples of seafarers facing prosecution or severe penalties long after incidents occurred, or after reporting suspicious activity themselves. These cases underscored the vulnerability of seafarers who may be treated as suspects despite limited control over the circumstances that led to an investigation.
Captain Szymanski emphasized that masters, chief engineers, and senior officers are often among those most exposed, and that many seafarers lack the legal and institutional support available to professionals in other sectors.
Legal Gaps in Existing International Frameworks
Professor Dr. Kristina Siig examined the limitations of the current legal framework. She explained that while international instruments such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) provide important protections and obligations within maritime governance, they were not designed specifically to protect seafarers who become suspects, detainees, or defendants in criminal proceedings.
This gap creates uncertainty. Existing international law may address vessel operations, labor standards, flag-state responsibilities, and port-state jurisdiction, but it does not provide a comprehensive, binding framework for the treatment of seafarers during criminal investigations.
Her remarks reinforced the need to examine whether current guidelines and soft-law instruments are sufficient, or whether stronger legal mechanisms are needed.
Due Process and the Need for Binding Standards
Brian McNamara focused on what due process should look like for seafarers facing investigation or detention. He discussed the importance of timely access to independent legal counsel, interpretation and translation services, communication with family members and employers, and a fair process that recognizes the realities of maritime employment.
The panel discussed how seafarers are often placed in uniquely vulnerable positions. They may be far from their home country, unfamiliar with the legal system, unable to communicate effectively in the local language, and uncertain whether their employer, flag state, or other institutions will provide support.
A recurring point throughout the webinar was that guidance alone may not be enough. Panelists discussed the importance of developing enforceable standards that ensure seafarers are treated fairly while allowing authorities to carry out legitimate investigations.
A Proposed Path Forward: Treaty Development and a Maritime Observatory
Eric R. Dawicki discussed the need to move from problem identification toward practical reform. He proposed the development of a new international legal instrument focused specifically on the protection of seafarers facing criminalization, detention, or adverse legal conditions.
He also introduced the concept of a maritime observatory that could help track cases, identify patterns, improve transparency, and support evidence-based policymaking. Such an observatory could provide a more structured way to document incidents, monitor treatment of seafarers, and inform future legal and policy development.
This proposed path forward reflects COPE’s broader commitment to convening stakeholders, supporting legal and policy innovation, and helping the maritime community address complex global challenges through practical, collaborative solutions.
Key Takeaways
Several major themes emerged from the discussion:
- Seafarers are essential to global trade but remain vulnerable when caught in criminal investigations far from home.
- Existing international frameworks do not fully address the rights of seafarers as suspects, detainees, or defendants.
- Access to legal counsel, translation, family communication, and procedural fairness must be treated as core protections.
- Current guidelines should be evaluated to determine whether they need to be strengthened into binding international standards.
- Better data collection and case tracking are necessary to understand the scale and patterns of seafarer criminalization.
- A treaty-focused process and maritime observatory could provide a practical foundation for long-term reform.
Continuing the Conversation
The unjust criminalization of seafarers is not only a legal issue. It is also a human rights issue, a workforce issue, a maritime safety issue, and a matter of confidence in the global maritime system.
COPE° will continue working with its Fellows, partners, and stakeholders to advance research, dialogue, and policy development in this area. The webinar marked an important step in moving the conversation from awareness toward action, with a focus on building stronger protections for seafarers and greater accountability across the international maritime system.
To stay engaged with COPE°’s work on seafarer rights, maritime safety, and international legal reform, visit our Get Involved page or contact us to learn more about upcoming initiatives.
To stay engaged with COPE°’s work on seafarer rights, maritime safety, and international legal reform, visit our Get Involved page or Contact Us to learn more about upcoming initiatives.
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