The second edition of this highly regarded book takes account of developments since the first edition was published in 1993. It discusses: * The interesting background to the imposition of the Irish straight baselines in the 1950s * The problem of the harassment of Irish fishing vessels beyond the 12-mile limit * The intended invocation of the law of piracy * Drug interdiction at sea * Problems connected with Ireland's submission of the external limits of its claimed continental shelf because of maritime boundary disputes * New treaty commitments on maritime pollution * The role of the Irish Naval Service in the law of the sea, particularly in regard to use of force in law enforcement situations.