CANADA COULD HAVE BOARDED IMMIGRANT SHIP EARLIER

Canadian immigration officials didn't have to wait until the latest mystery ship to appear off the West Coast entered Canadian waters before boarding, says Prof. Ted McDorman, an expert in international marine law. "When a ship has no flag and no markings, it's considered an unflagged ship. Anyone has the authority to board it and that ship immediately comes under the jurisdiction of the country whose officials board her." McDorman says that's why immigration officials didn't want to board the ship, in the hopes it would remain outside Canada's territorial waters. Once it crossed into Canadian waters, officials needed to intercede. [PP]

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