General Discussion

Under the law of naval warfare and the law of neutrality, the act of a neutral State taking a belligerent warship into custody so it cannot continue hostilities is called internment.

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In the law of the sea and the law of neutrality:

- A neutral State must prevent belligerent warships from using its ports or waters to continue military operations.
- If a belligerent vessel enters a neutral port and cannot depart within the permitted time, or if it is disabled, the neutral State must intern it.
- Internment means:
- The vessel is detained by the neutral State.
- The crew may also be interned (held under conditions preventing return to combat).
- The vessel is disarmed or otherwise rendered unable to rejoin hostilities.

This is not a punishment; it is a neutrality enforcement measure.

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