A
GUIDE TO THE INTERNATIONAL SHIP REGISTRIES
BELIZE: A PEACEFUL, STABLE AND
INDEPENDENT COUNTRY
Belize,
formerly British Honduras, is located on the Caribbean coast
of Central America, with Mexico to the north and Guatemala
forming its western border. The whole coast line is protected
by a barrier reef while the inner waters are shallow and dotted
with numerous islets. As of 2002 Belize's population was 250,000
approx. Although Spanish, Creole and Maya are spoken, English
is the official language.
On
September 21, 1981, Belize became fully independent nation
which remains a member of the British Commonwealth. The Government
is a parliamentary democracy based on the Westminister model,
with a House of Representatives, Senate and Prime Minister
as head of state. The laws of Belize are based on the British
legal system and its Common Law tradition.
In
1989, Belize established an open registry for vessels by authority
of the "Registration of Merchant Ships Acts" which regulates
the activities of the INTERNATIONAL MERCHANT MARINE REGISTRY
OF BELIZE (IMMARBE). Companies with vessels registered in
Belize but operating outside its territorial waters do not
file income tax returns nor do they pay taxes. Any individual
or company, foreign or Belizean, may register vessels in the
Belize registry for lawful Maritime Trade and Service. There
is a 30 years age limit but no size or type limitations for
vessels. A provisional registry valid for 6 months is first
obtained then followed by a permanent registry valid for five
years.
Dominica
