What type of charter involves the charter party being responsible for all aspects of a vessel?

A bareboat charter is an arrangement where the charterer assumes full control and responsibility for the vessel, including its management, operation, and maintenance, during the charter period. Under this type of charter, the charterer essentially rents the vessel without crew, provisions, or equipment. This means that the charterer needs to provide their own crew and take care of the operational needs of the ship.

In contrast, a time charter allows the charterer to use the vessel for a specified period while the owner retains responsibility for operational aspects like crewing and maintenance. A voyage charter generally focuses on the transport of cargo from one port to another, where the owner is responsible for the entirety of the vessel’s operation during the journey. A fit-out charter typically deals with arrangements concerning the outfitting of a vessel, which does not involve direct control over the vessel itself.

Thus, the bareboat charter stands out in that it places all responsibilities related to the vessel onto the charterer, making it distinct from the other types of charters mentioned.