I have a friend who’s a maritime lawyer. “Arresting a ship” is a real thing. U.S. marshals (or analogous law enforcement personnel in other countries) seize control of the ship and prevent it from leaving port until the dispute is settled.
Isn’t that what happened to the cargo ship that was stuck in the Suez Canal?
“... a maritime practice where a U.S. Marshal goes aboard a vessel and takes charge once it enters U.S waters.”
Captain to Marshal: “ok, you have command.”, (”everyone else stand down”)