Originally Posted By: James_Van_Artsdalen
Originally Posted By: dougwalkabout

Depending on the situation, police from the local jurisdiction could conceivably be stationed on the land end of the gangplank.

I think the coast guard has sole jurisdiction over ships at sea. wildman will know how it actually works but I assume the local coast guard commander has the last word on what happens.

You may well be correct. I'm sure there are members who know a heckuva lot more about this than a lubber like me.