Legal Framework

UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) — Article 98

Establishes the duty to rescue at sea, requiring every state to ensure that ships flying its flag render assistance to persons found in danger of being lost at sea, to the extent possible without serious danger to the rescuing vessel.

Related incidents

1 incident

Sinking of IRIS Dena: USS Charlotte Torpedoes Iranian Frigate Off Sri Lanka

A US submarine torpedoed an Iranian frigate returning from a peaceful international naval event, killing 87 sailors. The failure to rescue shipwrecked sailors violates the Second Geneva Convention's …

  • The USS Charlotte torpedoed the IRIS Dena approximately 19 nautical miles off Sri Lanka on March 4, 2026. The Iranian frigate was returning …
  • Eighty-seven sailors were killed. The Sri Lanka Navy rescued 32 survivors.