NATIONAL LEGISLATION
The procedures and activities concerning registration of ships and relevant obligations and requirements applicable to all ships enrolled in The International Merchant Marine Registry of Belize are governed by the following instruments:
- Merchant Ships (Registration) Act, 2010
- Registration of Merchant Ships (Miscellaneous Provisions of 1991)
- Registration of Merchant Ships (Vessels under 500 GT in service outside the territorial waters of Belize, 1991)
- Registration of Merchant Ships (Pleasure Vessels, 1991)
- Registration of Merchant Ships (Fishing Vessels of 24 meters in length and above) Safety Regulations, 1995
- Registration of Merchant Ships (Cargo Vessels operating in the Caribbean Trading Area) Safety Regulations, 1997
- Registration of Merchant Ships (Disciplinary Regulations, 1999)
- Registration of Merchant Ships (Safe Manning, Hours of Work and Watchkeeping) Regulations, 1999
- The High Seas Fishing Act, 2003
- Registration of Merchant Ships (Ship Security) Regulations 2004
INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS
As a member of the International Maritime Organization and the International Labour Organization, Belize has ratified several International Conventions as follows:
IMO
- Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 as amended
- Loadlines, 1966 and amends
- Prevention of Pollution by Ships, 1973 as modified by the Protocol of 1978
- Tonnage Measurements of Ships, 1969
- Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1969
- Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage 1971, 1976 and 1992 Protocols
- Civil Liability Convention (CLC) 1969, 1976, 1992 Protocols
- Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972
- Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims, 1976
- Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping, 1978/1995
- SOLAS Protocol 1988
- MARPOL Protocol 1997
- LOADLINES Protocol of 1988
- International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001
- Athens Convention Relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea, 1974 and Protocol of 2002
The following are in the process of being ratified:
- Safe Containers 1972, 1993 Amendments
- Intervention Convention 1969
- Intervention Protocol 1973
- Fund Protocol 2000
- LLMC 1996 Protocol.
- Salvage Convention 1989
- SUA Convention 1988
- SUA Protocol 1988