The Convention on International Maritime Law

Preface
Noting the lack of international recognition of the sovereign waters that many nations claim, and the absence of any codified laws regarding the conduct of vessels upon the high seas, the Emperor wishes to present this binding treaty to all enlightened peoples. It aims to solidify the various maritime customs and practices that are already prevalent throughout the civilized world, and provide a firm legal basis for maritime matters.

Section A. Regarding the issue of piracy
Article I.
Piracy shall be known as a criminal offence, and the maximum punishment shall be death.
Article II.
No nation may knowingly harbor a pirate vessel.
Article III.
It is the responsibility of all nations to arrest and prosecute any persons suspected of committing the crime of piracy if they are in a position to do so, no matter where the crime was committed.

Section B. Naval Conduct
Article I.
If a vessel observes sailors in the water, whether they be friend or foe, it shall be obligated to render assistance to them if is safe to do so.
Article II.
In times of war, an unarmed civilian vessel may not be engaged without first ensuring the safety of the crew. If the vessel is equipped with row boats and is close to land, the crew shall be provided with adequate time to escape. If these conditions are not present, the crew shall be taken aboard as prisoners and given proper treatment according to their status as civilians. If at any time the crew of the vessel in question makes any attempt at armed resistance, the attacker shall be free to engage them at will.
Article III.
The white flag shall be taken to be the international symbol of surrender. Once a white flag has been hoisted, so long as the vessel in question properly desists, the vessel may not be fired upon. If the vessel is sinking, the victor must render assistance to the crew once it is safe to do so in order to preserve their lives.
Article IV.
A nation shall be solely responsible for the safety of all vessels within its territorial waters. It shall be obliged to render assistance to any vessel in distress within this area.

The notion that the oceans can be considered common land is, frankly, ludicrous. You would seek to remove all maritime tariffs?

His Royal Majesty the King wishes that it be made abundantly clear that ships sailing through the waters of the Northern Atlantic Ocean, North Sea and English Channel are under the combined ownership of His Royal Majesty King Magnus VI and His Royal Majesty King Frederick VI.
The fact that we allow free passage for the time being does not entail that these waters are common, and any who attempt to breach our combined rulership over said waters can and must be met with the full force of the North Sea Treaty Alliance.

We must actually agree with Irland this time. This proposition is ludicrous and would do nothing good for anyone

We find your claims to such a large part of the world's oceans--an expanse which would be impossible to police--ludicrous and contemptible. What good would this treaty do? It would protect the lives of defenseless sailors and civilians and save them from a terrible fate. It would help put an end to international piracy. It would clearly define a nation's territorial waters as the waters which are integral to its safety and can actually be patrolled. Irland has no rightful claim to these waters, and no way to enforce its claim. We are shocked that any other nation could support them in this matter.

As the land both to the east and west of these oceans is possessed by His Royal Majesty King Magnus VI and His Royal Majesty King Frederick VI, it is very clear that our claim to the ocean is entirely lawful and rightful.
If you have issue with our claims then, by all means, test our enforcement.

We do not see the intention of this law other then an attempt to weaken our hold of the South China Sea and is quite frankly, impossible to administrate.

Chief Diplomat Shi Hou
Republic of Guangdong

Although we firmly disagree with Section A, sections B and C are highly commendable. Should section A be removed (with request that article IV be moved to Section C) HRM King Frederick VI may be interested in signing the document.

Having seen the international response to this treaty, we agree with the proposal put forward by The United Kingdom of Scandinavia and the Daneclaw. The treaty has been amended as such.

The King shall await response from other international delegates before signing.

The Austronesian Empire can agree to the treaty as it now stands.