What defines a "stateless" vessel?

A "stateless" vessel is defined as one that lacks nationality or lawful registration. This means that it is not registered in accordance with any nation's maritime laws, leading to a situation where it cannot be identified as belonging to any state. Stateless vessels are often difficult to regulate under international law, as they do not fall under the jurisdiction of any particular country.

This definition aligns with the concept of maritime law, where a vessel must be registered in a country to be granted specific legal protections and responsibilities. When a vessel is without nationality, it can raise serious concerns regarding illegal activities such as smuggling or piracy, as there is no national authority to hold accountable for its actions.

In contrast, vessels registered to multiple nations can still be tied to specific legal frameworks, and those docked in international waters are not inherently stateless since they can still operate under a national registration. A vessel flagged under one nation is, by definition, not stateless, as it is clearly associated with that country's laws and regulations.