Sea Control

Sea control is the ability to use a defined maritime area for one’s own purposes while denying its use to an adversary, the positive objective of naval power as distinct from the negative aim of sea denial. The concept, developed by Julian Corbett, is local and temporary rather than absolute: a force secures sea control over the area and time it needs, to escort a convoy or land a force, then releases it. It underpins convoy defense, power projection, and the protection of sea lines of communication.