TREATIES AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL ACTS SERIES 12-602 

________________________________________________________________________ 

MARITIME INTERDICTION 

 Agreement Between 

the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

and SAMOA 

Signed at Apia June 2, 2012 

 
 NOTE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE 

 Pursuant to Public Law 89—497, approved July 8, 1966 

(80 Stat. 271; 1 U.S.C. 113)—

“. . .the Treaties and Other International Acts Series issued 

under the authority of the Secretary of State shall be competent 

 evidence . . . of the treaties, international agreements other than 

treaties, and proclamations by the President of such treaties and 

international agreements other than treaties, as the case may be, 

therein contained, in all the courts of law and equity and of maritime 

jurisdiction, and in all the tribunals and public offices of the 

United States, and of the several States, without any further proof 

or authentication thereof.” 
SAMOA 

Maritime Interdiction 

 Agreement signed at Apia June 2, 2012; 

 Entered into force June 2, 2012. 
AGREEMENT

BETWEEN

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

AND

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE INDEPENDENT STATE OF SAMOA

CONCERNING

OPERATIONAL COOPERATION TO SUPPRESS ILLICIT

TRANSNATIONAL MARITIME ACTIVITY

The Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Independent

State of Samoa (hereinafter, "the Parties");

BEARING in mind the complex nature of detecting, deterring and suppressing illegal

activity at sea, including without limitation fisheries offences and illicit maritime drug

trafficking;

RECOGNIZING the importance of strengthening and enhancing effective legal means

for international cooperation in criminal matters for suppressing illicit transnational

maritime activity;

DESIRING to promote greater cooperation between the Parties, and thereby enhance

their effectiveness, in detecting illegal transnational maritime activity; and

BASED ON the principles of international law, in full respect of the freedom of

navigation under applicable international law;

Have agreed as follows:
Article 1

Definitions

For purposes of this agreement, it shall be understood that:

1. "Illicit transnational maritime activity" includes illegal activities prohibited by

international law, including international conventions to which both the Government of

the United States and the Government of Samoa are party, but only to the extent

enforcement is authorized by the laws of both Parties.

2. "Law enforcement officials" means for the Government of the United States,

uniformed members of the United States Coast Guard, and for the Government of Samoa,

members of the Ministry of Police and Prison and authorized officers of the Ministry of

Agriculture and Fisheries.

3. "Law enforcement vessels" means warships and other ships of the Parties and third

Party platforms as agreed by the Parties pursuant to Article 10, clearly marked and

identifiable as being on government service, including any boat and aircraft embarked on

such ships aboard which law enforcement officials of the Parties are embarked.

4. "Law enforcement aircraft" means aircraft of the parties clearly marked and

identifiable as being on government non-commercial service and authorized to that effect.

5. "Competent Authority" means, for the purposes of this agreement, for the United

States of America, the United States Coast Guard, and for Samoa, the Ministry of Police

and Prison and Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Article 2

Object and Purpose of Agreement

1.The purpose of this agreement is to strengthen ongoing cooperative maritime

surveillance and interdiction activities between the parties, for the purposes of

identifying, combating, preventing, and interdicting illicit transnational maritime activity.

2. The Parties shall carry out their obligations and responsibilities under this Agreement

in a manner consistent with applicable international law and with the principles of

sovereign equality and territorial integrity of States and that of non-intervention in the

domestic affairs of other States.

3. The Parties shall cooperate to the fullest extent possible, subject to the availability of

appropriated funds and resources and in compliance with their respective laws.

2
Article 3

Combined and Joint Maritime and Air Operations

1. Law enforcement officials of Samoa may be embarked on selected United States law

enforcement vessels or aircraft. When embarked on United States law enforcement

vessels, the United States shall facilitate regular communications between the embarked

law enforcement officials and their headquarters in Samoa, and shall provide messing and

quarters for the embarked law enforcement officials aboard United States law

enforcement vessels in a manner consistent with United States personnel of the same

rank.

2. The embarked law enforcement officials shall be empowered to grant United States

law enforcement vessels and aircraft, on behalf of the Government of Samoa, authority

to:

(a) enter Samoan territorial sea to assist the embarked law enforcement officials to

stop, board, and search vessels suspected of violating Samoan laws or regulations, and to

assist in the arrest of the persons on board and the seizure of contraband and vessels;

(b) assist the embarked law enforcement officials in performing fisheries surveillance

and law enforcement activities in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Samoa, including

stopping, inspecting, detaining, directing to port and seizing fishing vessels in accordance

with the national laws and regulations of Samoa;

(c) stop, board, and search vessels located seaward of any State's territorial sea and

claiming registry or nationality in Samoa to assist the embarked law enforcement officials

in the enforcement of applicable laws and regulations of Samoa; and

(d) employ reasonable force to stop non-compliant vessels subject to the jurisdiction

of Samoa.

3. The embarked law enforcement officials may assist United States law enforcement

officials in the conduct of boardings undertaken pursuant to the authority of the United

States, including right of visit boardings and boardings authorized by other flag and

coastal States, as appropriate.

Article 4

Operations Without an Embarked Law Enforcement Official

Whenever United States law enforcement officials operating without an embarked law

enforcement official from Samoa encounter a vessel used for commercial or private

purposes and claiming registry or nationality in Samoa, located seaward of any nation's

territorial sea and suspected of illicit transnational maritime activity, by this Agreement

the Government of Samoa authorizes the boarding and search of the suspect vessel and

3
the persons found on board by such officials. If evidence of illicit activity is found,

United States law enforcement officials may detain the vessel and persons on board

seaward of any State's territorial sea pending expeditious disposition instructions from

the competent authority of the Government of Samoa. Whenever the United States

conducts a boarding and search pursuant to this Agreement it shall promptly notify the

competent authority of Samoa of the results thereof.

Article 5

Use of Force

When carrying out actions in support of the proposed operations, the use of force shall be

avoided except when necessary to ensure the safety of the embarked officers, United

States personnel, and other persons, or where the officials are obstructed in the execution

of all authorized actions. Any use of force pursuant to this Agreement shall be in strict

accordance with the applicable laws and policies of the Party using force and shall not

exceed that which is necessary and reasonable under the circumstances. Nothing in this

Agreement shall impair the exercise of the inherent right of self-defense by officials of

either Party.

Article 6

Jurisdiction over Detained Vessels

In all cases arising under subparagraphs (a), (b) or (c) of Article 3(2) or under Article 4,

the Government of Samoa shall have the primary right to exercise jurisdiction over a

detained vessel and/or persons on board (including seizure, forfeiture, arrest, and

prosecution), provided, however, that the Government of Samoa may, subject to its

Constitution and laws, waive its primary right to exercise jurisdiction and authorize the

enforcement of United States law against the vessel and/or persons on board.

Article 7

Disposition of Seized Property

Assets seized in consequence of any operation undertaken in Samoan territorial sea

pursuant to this Agreement shall be disposed of in accordance with the laws of Samoa.

Assets seized in consequence of any operation undertaken seaward of the territorial sea of

Samoa pursuant to this Agreement shall be disposed of in accordance with the laws of the

Government exercising jurisdiction. To the extent permitted by its laws and upon such

terms as it deems appropriate, one Government may, in any case, transfer forfeited assets

or proceeds of their sale to the other Government.

4
Article 8

Shipboarding Otherwise in Accordance with International Law

This Agreement does not limit the right of either party to conduct hoardings of vessels or

other activities consistent with international law whether based, inter alia, on the right of

visit, on the rendering of assistance to persons, vessels, and property in distress or peril,

on the consent of the vessel master, or an authorization from the flag or coastal State or

on any other basis in international law.

Article 9

Conduct of Officials

Each Party shall ensure that its personnel, when conducting boardings and searches

pursuant to this Agreement, act in accordance with its applicable national laws and

policies and with international law.

Article 10

Third Party Platforms

Vessels and aircraft of States other than the Parties, including warships and vessels

clearly marked and identifiable as being on government non-commercial service and

authorized to that effect, with which the Governments of Samoa or the United States of

America have agreements or arrangements for combating illicit transnational maritime

activity, may be authorized by agreement of the Parties, to operate pursuant to this

agreement.

Article 11

Exchange and Knowledge of Laws and Policies of Other Party

1. To facilitate implementation of this Agreement, each Competent Authority shall

ensure the other Party is fully informed of its respective applicable laws and policies,

particularly those pertaining to the use of force.

2. Each Competent Authority shall ensure that all of its officials are knowledgeable

concerning the applicable laws and policies in accordance with this Agreement.

Article 12

Exchange of Operational Information

1. The Competent Authorities shall endeavor to exchange operational information on the

detection and location of suspect vessels and shall maintain communications with each

other as necessary to carry out the purpose of this Agreement.

5
2. Each Party shall inform the other Party, and keep current, the points of contact for

coordination and communication in accordance with the terms of this agreement. Such

information shall be updated by and exchanged between the Competent Authorities.

3. A Party conducting a boarding and search pursuant to this Agreement shall promptly

notify the other Party of the results thereof.

Article 13

Technical Assistance

1. One Party may request, and the other Party may authorize, officials to provide

technical assistance, such as specialized assistance in the conduct of search of suspect

vessels, for the boarding and search of suspect vessels located in the territory or waters of

the requesting party.

2. Subject to the availability of resources and in accordance with the laws, regulations,

and policies of the United States, the Government of the United States may assist the

Government of Samoa in acquiring and developing sufficient capacity and technical,

logistical, and material resources to carry out the object and purpose of this Agreement.

Article 14

Claims

1. Any injury to or loss of life of an official of a Party while carrying out operations

arising from this Agreement shall normally be remedied in accordance with the laws of

that Party.

2. Any other claim submitted for damage, harm, injury, death or loss resulting from an

operation carried out by a Party under this Agreement shall be resolved in accordance

with the domestic law of that Party, and in a manner consistent with international law.

3. If any loss, injury or death is suffered as a result of any action taken by the officials of

one Party in contravention of this Agreement, or any improper or unreasonable action is

taken by a Party pursuant thereto, the Parties shall, without prejudice to any other legal

rights which may be available, consult at the request of either Party to resolve the matter

and decide any questions relating to compensation or payment to the fullest extent

practicable.

Article 15

Disputes and Consultations

1. Disputes arising from the interpretation or implementation of this Agreement shall be

settled by mutual agreement of the Parties.

6
FOR THE GOVERNMENT

OF THE UNITED STATES

AMERICA:

FOR THE GOVERNMENT

OF THE INDEPENDENT

STATE OF SAMOA:

2. In case a difficulty arises concerning the operation of this Agreement, either Party

may request consultations with the other Party to resolve the matter.

Article 16

Effect on Rights, Privileges and Legal Positions

Nothing in this Agreement:

1.Is intended to alter the rights and privileges due to any individual in any administrative

or judicial proceeding; or

2. Shall prejudice the position of either Party with regard to the international law of the

sea, or affect the territorial or maritime boundaries or claims of either Party, as between

them or with third States.

Article 17

Entry into Force, Duration, and Termination

1. This Agreement shall enter into force upon signature of both Parties.

2. This Agreement may be terminated at any time by either Party upon written

notification to the other Party through the appropriate diplomatic channel. Such

termination shall take effect six months from the date of notification.

3. This Agreement shall continue to apply after termination with respect to any

administrative or judicial proceedings regarding actions that occurred during the time the

Agreement was in force.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being duly authorized by their respective

Governments, have signed this Agreement.

DONE at Apjek , this ?, 

day of ji yo 

, 2012.