Can anyone answer this Maritime Law question?

Question

A friend and I are having a Debate. I say that since the Great Lakes border 2 Countries they are considered International Waters by the Maritime Commission. He says no. who is right?

Answer 1

Portions of the Great Lakes water system are considered international waters. Here is your definition: The terms international waters or transboundary waters apply where any of the following types of bodies of water (or their drainage basins) transcend international boundaries: oceans, large marine ecosystems, enclosed or semi-enclosed regional seas and estuaries, rivers, lakes, groundwater systems (aquifers), and wetlands [1].

International Waters Status also has to do with shipping lanes for trade. The Great Lakes system has large amounts of international shipping which is protected by maritime law.

The Great Lakes are a group of five large lakes in North America on or near the Canada-United States border. They are the largest group of fresh water lakes on Earth. The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence system is the largest fresh-water system in the world. They are sometimes referred to as inland seas.

The St Lawrence Seaway is the common name for a system of canals that permits ocean-going vessels to travel from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes as far as Lake Superior. Legally it extends from Montreal to Lake Erie, including the Welland Canal and the Great Lakes Waterway. The seaway is named after the Saint Lawrence River, which it follows from the Atlantic Ocean to Lake Ontario.

Answer 2

He is, partially. These are not international waters, but dual nation waters. They are a border. So they are jointly managed and patrolled.

Answer 3

Your friend. Pay him the money.

Answer 4

I would think they are .. get back to you on this one!