Prize (Law of Naval Warfare)

Prize law governs the capture of enemy and neutral vessels and cargo at sea in wartime and their condemnation by a prize court. A belligerent warship may seize an enemy merchant ship and its cargo, and may visit, search, and seize neutral ships carrying contraband or breaching a blockade; lawful title passes only after a competent prize court adjudges the prize good. The principles were partly codified in the Declaration of Paris 1856 (free ships make free goods, except contraband; blockades must be effective) and restated for modern conflict in the San Remo Manual (1994).