WHO is legally in charge on a cruise ship? (Missing groom related question)

I was watching a show on MSNBC about that missing NE groom, George Smith. A
rep from RCI was there and said the Turkish police were in charge of the
investigation that day because the ship was in port in Turkey. The reporter
aggressively disagreed with her, saying that a maritime atty had told her
that is not true. She then went on about the wife being a US citizen (as
though implying the FBI would have to be "in charge"...??).

So who (as in what country or entity??) IS in charge, legally when a cruise
ship is in port?

For that matter, who is the legal authority when the ship is at sea??

PattyC

> So who (as in what country or entity??) IS in charge, legally when a
> cruise ship is in port?

The nation who owns the port. That is one of reasons why you cannot use the
casino when in port in Miami.

> For that matter, who is the legal authority when the ship is at sea??

The captain. With the possible caveat that the nation of registry may have
some effect.

With very limited exceptions, mass-market cruise ships do NOT have USA
registry.

Ships operate under Maritime law,which is why your recourse against a
cruise company isn't the same as if you were staying at a hotel. My
impression of the whole affair is that the wife has hooked up with an
attorney and is looking to sue. The official RCI statement,that never
seems to get covered in the Cable shows looking to sensationalize the
event, details how the local police,FBI and American Consulate were
involved with the Foreign Service people taking over care of the wife
from the people assigned by the ship. RCI also says they offered her a
new cabin on the ship or to arrange airfare home but she opted to stay
behind.

Ships operate under Maritime law,which is why your recourse against a
cruise company isn't the same as if you were staying at a hotel. My
impression of the whole affair is that the wife has hooked up with an
attorney and is looking to sue. The official RCI statement,that never
seems to get covered in the Cable shows looking to sensationalize the
event, details how the local police,FBI and American Consulate were
involved with the Foreign Service people taking over care of the wife
from the people assigned by the ship. RCI also says they offered her a
new cabin on the ship or to arrange airfare home but she opted to stay
behind.

AltoSax@ wrote:
> If you are in port at Sri Lanka, I suspect Inspector Columbo would be in
> charge. :-)
>

A Capitol idea !!! ...

Trivia question ... what was the cruise ship featured in a Columbo
episode ... ???

and who was the social director of the SS Ocean Queen ... ???

The second question makes me feel very old ...

>
>Last night Mrs. Smith was interviewed on "Scarborough Country" on MSNBC.
>She stated that she could not answer certain questions about the
>investigation because of orders from the FBI.

I don't think the FBI has the authority to order somebody not to talk to
the press. I think only a judge can issue a gag order. I cna't say for
sure since I'm not a lawyer.