Flying the Flag

Having heard that my local police force, Hampshire constabulary had been sworn in by Bermudan officials giving them the authority to investigate crimes on UK ships whilst docked in Southampton, got me to thinking how and why ships are registered in Bermuda or Bahamas etc and not their home country.

It seems most ships are registered under the Bahamas, Bermuda or Panama flags. So why are ships not registered to the country in which they are from. The new and upcoming Britannia will likely be registered in Bermuda along with  P&O’s other ships, yet is set to encompass all things British.

International law requires that every ship be registered to a country. This country in which a ship is registered is called its flag state and the flag state gives the ship the right to fly its civil ensign.

A ship’s flag state exercises regulatory control over the vessel and is required to inspect it regularly, certify the ship’s equipment and crew, and issue safety and pollution prevention documents. A ship operates under the laws of its flag state, hence why UK law had no control over a crime investigation on a UK ship. Until now.Ship registration is similar to a person receiving a passport. A ship is bound to the law of its flag state.

Ships are registered under flags of convenience to reduce operating costs or avoid the regulations of the owner’s country. So why do some British cruise companies feel the need to avoid our own regulations, surely anyone working on a British ship should be entitled to the British minimum wage.  Although this is a whole other topic, ship wages are governed and crew receive accommodation and board as part of the package. The only benefit I have researched is the fact if ships are registered in Bermuda the captain has the authority to conduct a marriage ceremony.

Only Cunard and P&O Australia have registered their ships under UK authorities. Proud to fly the flag. So if Cunard can register their ships under UK state, why doesn’t P&O and subsequently Britannia? Maybe they will and she will not just carry the flag on her hull but also fly the flag too!!