Further, U.S. accession to the LOS Convention would provide the opportunity to try, an opportunity present while the United States remains outside the treaty regime.
Finally, U.S. accession to the Convention would enable the United States to consider establishing a Freedom of MSR Program analogous to the NSC-directed State-Defense Freedom of Navigation Program that since 1979 has helped conform state practice with the navigational provisions of the Convention.72 Similar results should be sought for MSR.
72 See ROACH & SMITH, EXCESSIVE MARITIME CLAIMS, Chapter I.
