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1. The Maritime Administration of Belize, vide Merchant Marine Notice, MMN-20-003r1 has adopted temporary measures related to implementation and enforcement of IMO instruments under force majeure due to outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.

2. Temporary measures adopted by the Administration includes extension of mandatory surveys and audits as well as extension for dry-docking as follows;

   1. The Administration may grant extension on mandatory surveys and audits (SOLAS, MARPOL, Load Line, ISM, ISPS, MLC, 2006, etc) up to 31st July 2020. The extension will be based on submission of request from Recognized Organization (RO) that carried out the relevant certification along with following supporting documents;

      1. Temporary measures based on procedures and requirements of RO that are to be followed by the vessel in order keep the vessel in good standing during this period.

      2. Self-Inspection Checklist from shipowners/ operators in accordance with Administration’s MMN-19-006 as an evidence of self-inspection on board confirming the good standings of the vessel.

      3. A photo report from the shipowners / operators addressing the actual condition of the vessel. The photo report must include, but not limited to photos of the Main Deck, Mooring Stations, Cargo Spaces, Navigational Bridge, Accommodations and Machinery Spaces.

   2. The Administration may grant extension of dry-docking upto 31st July 2020 on receipt of request from the Deputy Registrar of the vessel using the Form TDF-006 along with the shipyard rejection letter due to COVID-19 and written confirmation of acceptance from Recognized Organization.

      However, any other request of dry-docking extension which is not related to COVID-19, must comply with Administration’s Merchant Marine Notice, MMN-18-001.

3. The Administration has further advised that all extensions granted in accordance with the provisions of MMN-20-002 & MMN-20-003 can be further extended until 31st July 2020 based on the previous compliance with all requirements stated as per above para ‘2 a and 2 b’ and submission of the following;

   1. An affidavit signed by the Owners/ Operators confirming unavailability to comply with the previous date granted and that the situation remains unchanged.

   2. Written statement from the Recognized Organization confirming not to have any inconvenience with the new extension.

   3. For those vessels that are entitled to receive an extension beyond 3 months, the Recognized Organization in accordance with the Guidelines for flag States regarding surveys and renewals of certificates during the COVID-19 pandemic published by the IMO is to review and approve a Risk Assessment. This Risk Assessment will include mitigation measures.

4. Vessel falling under above detailed temporary measures will be issued with electronic certificates valid until 31st July 2020 by the authorized RO. However, upon completion of above period and on completion of mandatory surveys and audits in accordance with HSSC Guidelines -2019, any electronic certificate issued under the temporary measures will be replaced by a compliance certificate maintaining the current ship’s certification cycle.

5. The temporary measures stated above will be ceased to be valid as soon as the World Health Organization (WHO) declares that the pandemic is finalized, and the risk is over but might be revised and the period extended if the situation remains. 

6. Ship owners/ operators and masters of Belize flagged ships are advised to be guided by above.

7. This Technical Circular supersedes and revokes earlier Technical Circular No. 069/2020, dated 01st May 2020.

Enclosure: 

• Belize Merchant Marine Notice, MMN-20-003r1, dated 05 June 2020.

Disclaimer:

This Technical Circular and the material contained in it is provided only for the purpose of supplying current information to the reader and not as an advice to be relied upon by any person. While we have taken utmost care to be as factual as possible, readers/ users are advised to verify the exact text and content of the Regulation from the original source/ issuing Authority.

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