Posted by Adam Quinan on October 18, 2007 at 11:26:59 from 99.226.247.88 user Adam.
In Reply to: Re: Piracy is back! posted by Jock on October 18, 2007 at 07:42:47:
I am not an international lawyer so this is my interpretation based on casual reading.
The Spanish government does not relinquish ownership of its ships even if they sink international waters. However, they have to claim ownership in Spanish courts and so they have to arrest violators and take them into a Spanish port.
Incidentally for Hornblower and Aubrey fans, it is rumoured that the treasure comes from the Spanish treasure ship that was blown up when the Royal Navy intercepted a convoy just before war was declared. The incident was used by both Forester and O'Brian in their books.