A custom of the sea is a custom said to be practiced by the officers and crew of ships and boats in the open sea, as distinguished from maritime law, which is a distinct and coherent body of law governing maritime questions and offenses.
Traditional customs include:
- Cannibalism at sea – once widely considered acceptable as a last resort after shipwrecks,[1][2] provided that lots were drawn to decide who would be sacrificed to feed the other survivors[3]
- Captain goes down with the ship – the expectancy that in case of disasters the captain will stay on board until everybody else is rescued, or die in the attempt
- Flag dipping – briefly lowering a ship's flag as a salute or sign of respect[4]
- Man overboard – exclamation given to indicate that a person has fallen off the ship and is in need of immediate rescue
- Women and children first – an unofficial code of conduct whereby the lives of women and children are saved first in a life-threatening situation
References
- Cohen, Adam S. (10 December 2025). "The 1884 Cannibalism-at-Sea Case That Still Has Harvard Talking". The Harvard Magazine. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
- Danahay, Martin (18 November 2025). "Trump's aggression in the Caribbean could violate a Victorian-era court ruling on cannibalism at sea". The Conversation. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
- Persaud, Rajendra (1 September 1991). "Cannibalism — the ultimate crime or a primitive impulse". The Canberra Times. p. 7. Retrieved 22 March 2026.
Cannibalism at sea in the 18th century was actually almost routine when sailors ran out of food after being shipwrecked. Named the Custom of the Sea it was regarded as legitimate as long as straws were drawn to determine the menu.
- "Dipping the Flag". National Advocate. Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia. 13 November 1924. p. 2. Retrieved 22 March 2026.