6.1 Concept and Scope of High Seas

The concept: the high seas = the waters beyond the national zones (beyond the EEZ, the territorial sea, the archipelagic waters) — the maritime space open to ALL states (the res communis — no state's sovereignty may be claimed over any part). The scope: the water column (the seabed beneath = the Area's regime — Unit 8); the freedoms' regime (6.2) governed by the flag state's jurisdiction (the ship's law = the flag's law); the common-interest duties (the environment, the safety, the rescue) beside the freedoms.