Which statement about the Right of Visit (ROV) is correct?

Which statement about the Right of Visit (ROV) is correct?

• A. ROV allows boarding a vessel of unknown nationality in order to determine its nationality, or to board any vessel suspected of piracy, slave trade or unauthorized broadcasting.
• B. ROV permits only questioning while at a distance.
• C. ROV is the same as ROA.
• D. ROV applies only in territorial waters.

Answer: (A)

Right of Visit is a maritime law tool that lets a warship of a coastal state visit a foreign vessel to verify its nationality and to take action if there are reasonable grounds to suspect illegal activity, such as piracy, the slave trade, or unauthorized broadcasting. This authority is exercised by boarding and inspecting the vessel when there are legitimate grounds, and it is not limited to simply questioning from afar. It applies on the high seas and in certain zones under UNCLOS, not only inside territorial waters. The statement captures the core purpose and scope: boarding a vessel of unknown nationality to determine nationality, or boarding a vessel suspected of piracy, slave trade, or unauthorized broadcasting.

Right of Visit is a maritime law tool that lets a warship of a coastal state visit a foreign vessel to verify its nationality and to take action if there are reasonable grounds to suspect illegal activity, such as piracy, the slave trade, or unauthorized broadcasting. This authority is exercised by boarding and inspecting the vessel when there are legitimate grounds, and it is not limited to simply questioning from afar. It applies on the high seas and in certain zones under UNCLOS, not only inside territorial waters. The statement captures the core purpose and scope: boarding a vessel of unknown nationality to determine nationality, or boarding a vessel suspected of piracy, slave trade, or unauthorized broadcasting.