Sea slavery—men trapped in forced labor on board illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing vessels—exists across the world’s oceans. If confronted with sea slavery while conducting a boarding of a foreign-flagged IUU fishing vessel on the high seas, may a coastal State military officer free the victim? This article answers the question affirmatively, relying on the duty to render assistance under the international law of the sea. That duty requires all mariners who receive info...
