Belize – Technical Requirements for Special Registration

Notice to: Ship Owners / Managers/ Operators / Surveyors

C24063 | 14 November 2024

This Circular is issued to advise that the International Merchant Marine Registry of Belize (IMMARBE) has issued a Merchant Marine Notice MMN-24-010 which gives guidance on the technical requirement for vessels temporarily registered with the Belize Administration for a single delivery voyage.

Such cases are called ‘Special Registrations’ and may be granted when a vessel is sold to a new owner or is required to complete a single voyage for demolition/scrapping.

The Special Registration is granted solely for delivery to an agreed location and is valid for up to 3 months.

The Notice advises that vessels granted Special Registration must fully comply with all requirements of IMMARBE’s Registration, Seafarers, and Technical Departments.

Inquiries on these requirements can be made to: registrationservices@immarbe.com seafarerservices@immarbe.com or technicalservices@immarbe.com as appropriate.

Key Points:

Technical Requirement for Special Registrations:

Vessels holding Special Registration must obtain explicit authorization from the Flag before proceeding to sea. Such authorization will depend on the type of voyage:

• For a single delivery voyage using the main engine: explicit authorization is required from the Administration, which will be stated in the Permit to Proceed Certificate.
• Issuance of a Permit to Proceed Certificate is dependent on completion of a satisfactory survey, before departure, of:
  • The ship’s hull,
  • Equipment and outfits,
  • Machinery installations,
  • Pumping and electrical equipment,
  • Lifesaving appliances,
  • Navigational equipment,
  • Signalling means.
• The vessel must be provided with valid short-term certificates issued by the RO:
  • IOPP,
  • CSSE,
  • ITC,
  • ILLC,
  • Etc.

Other Requirements to be verified by the RO

• The passage of the ship is to be self-propelled and the vessel fully manned as per its Safe Manning Certificate.
• The onboard Radio Equipment is to always meet the relevant functional requirements.
• The voyage is to start only in favourable meteorological conditions.
• The passage is to be performed without passengers or cargo.
• In case of worsening weather conditions, course and speed are to be changed accordingly and the vessel is to seek sheltered waters, if possible.
• All access openings, outside doors, tank air pipes and other openings through which water might intrude into the vessel are to be closed weather-tight.
• All oily mixtures are to be retained on board for discharge to reception facilities on arrival.

Fitness to proceed

• Explicit authorization from the Administration and a Fitness to Proceed Certificate is required for vessels requiring to be delivered under tow.
  • The vessel is to have a towing certificate issued by either the RO, or an approved towage company recognized by an IACS member, or as otherwise accepted by the Administration.
  • The Administration is to be provided with detailed information regarding the tug including:
    • Name,
    • IMO number,
    • Call Sign,
    • Copy of the Certificate of Registration.
  • The vessel is to be provided with valid Statutory Certificates issued by the RO:
    • IOPP,
    • IAFSC,
    • ITC,
    • ILLC
    • Etc.

Other requirements to be verified by the RO

• The passage is to be performed without cargo, crew or passengers.
• International day and night signals and lights are to be displayed as per the relevant regulations throughout the voyage.
• The voyage is to start only in favourable meteorological conditions.
• In case of worsening weather conditions, course and speed are to be changed accordingly and the vessel is to seek sheltered waters if possible.
• All access openings, outside doors, tank air pipes and other openings through which water might intrude into the vessel are to be closed weather-tight.

Regardless of the mode of the voyage, unless otherwise specified by the Administration, every vessel holding Special Registration Status is to be properly surveyed and certified by an authorized RO before proceeding on its voyage.

Exceptions / Exemptions

Requests for exemptions are to be submitted directly to the Administration via the vessel’s Designated Office, as per MMN-19-002 – Requirements for the issuance of Technical Certificates.

When an exemption is granted, the RO is to issue a Seaworthiness Certificate and provide a copy to the Administration.

Actions required

All ROs authorized to act on behalf of IMMARBE must, on request, conduct surveys for issuance of certificates to vessels with Special Registration status and submit a formal request for authorization to the Administration’s Technical Dept. as per MMN-23-002 – Reporting on Statutory Surveys and Certification Status.

Certificates issued to vessels with Special Registration are to be considered Short-Term Certificates with a validity equal to that of the Certificate of Registration (Navigational Patent).

Act now

All Ship Owners / Managers / Operators / Surveyors should review and comply with the contents of MMN-24-010 and ensure that its provisions are enforced on applicable IMMARBE registered vessels