To further clarify here.......in Australia, the Bare Boat Charter is a mercantile legal document between the owner of the vessel and the charterer. However prior to the vessel sailing from port and for this document to cover and become the Legal Entity, the document must includes proof of all insurances to be registered with the Government
So in the case of the Iron Sirius, her ownership remained that of Ropners and her port of registry was still London, however [the Australian] BHP taking the vessel in the terms of Charter were the party responsible for
all matters relating to the use of the vessel
The vessel remained as a UK Registered vessel, however the Charter registered with the Australian Government transferred all responsibilities to the Australian Charterer and as such the Iron Sirius sailed under the same laws and legal provisions of an Australian registered vessel
So ....what prompted this questioning? .....
1. at every berthing of the Iron Sirius at the Port of Kembla, she would when tying alongside have her stern Australian
Red Ensign lowered and removed to minimise the dust plume from the iron ore discharge
2. an assignment in Maritime Law during my mid life later years studies
...........Derek