"Steve Foley" wrote in message
news:6Llbh.10350$IW2.5393@trndny03...
I have a friend with a PP-SEL that was coming back on a commuter flight
from the Bahamas....

Does the FAA have authority over a flight operating over international
waters?

If the flight is operating under FAA regulations, yes. This would include
an FAA-certificated pilot, a US registered airplane, and an FAA-certified
Part 135 operation (all of which are likely to apply here).

Pete