Consistency and Enforcement issues with Maritime Law

While traveling throughout the country on our interstate highway system, you know the basic rules of driving and operate accordingly. You may cross a state line and the laws could change regarding seatbelts or speed, but these are generally posted. Still the baseline regulations remain the same and provide confidence and insure your safety. You always assume that other drivers are operating by the same basic rule set and expect law enforcement and emergency services to respond with exactly the same response. Now consider that you are on the ocean’s waterways; What are the rules? Where is my vessel currently operating and under what Country's jurisdiction is it? Who will hold the vessel traveling next to me accountable? What is he carrying? How safe am I? Who would save me? There needs to be an immediate answer to all of these questions or we are operating in the Wild Wild West only floating. International regulations must be globally implemented to provide consistency in the application and enforcement of the laws to increase the safety of seafarers and their cargo.