5Determining who is owner of vessel

5 Determining who is owner of vessel

(1)  A reference in this Act to the owner of a vessel includes a reference to a person who –

(a) is registered (with or by MAST or a corresponding maritime authority) as the owner of the vessel; or

(b) is a joint owner of the vessel; or

(c) is the charterer, lessee or hirer of the vessel; or

(d) has a right or obligation to exercise or perform any powers or functions of an owner of the vessel; or

(e) publicly represents that he or she has the right or obligation to exercise or perform those powers or functions; or

(f) is a director or other person concerned in the management of a body corporate that owns the vessel.

(2)  A person does not cease to be the owner of a vessel for the purposes of this Act if the vessel is –

(a) secured under a mortgage, bill of sale, or other form of security; or

(b) chartered, leased or hired by another person.