The upper pic is the open glass paneled arch where "KISMET" trailed her name. Now the glass panels are removed. On POLAR STAR, you might be right about protecting the varnish/gold leaf, but in light of new port security regs isn't it a no-no to cover the vessels name?
My guess, Kismet heading to med, breakable stuff stashed inside. Polar Star, just covers it's called privacy. Also with AIS everybody that matters knows who it is.