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legal person clearly subject to the jurisdiction of the
country concerned.
10.
The
However, there is another aspect of ship registration
in Dependent Territories which has given rise to concern.
In order to undertake the duties of a flag state it is now
necessary, because of the substantial body of international
shipping law, to have a permanent marine administration
including an appropriate number of professional surveyors.
Understandably, not all Dependent Territories have been able
to establish and support such an administration.
Government's policy hitherto has therefore been to limit
the extension of international Conventions to those which
could undertake the necessary administrative and surveying
duties, in the expectation that British vessels requiring
full Convention certificates would seek registration in
British ports of registry where these facilities are available.
In practice, however, this has made it possible for sub-standard
ships to obtain registration as British vessels whilst
escaping the rigorous survey and inspection requirements
applied to vessels on the UK register, and to circumvent
important safety legislation in force in the UK but not
in the territory concerned. Under the provisions of the
1894 Act, Dependent Territories have no powers to refuse
registration to eligible ships.
11. The scope for abuse was recognised in the Consultative
....