Sailors, boat owners and the public are reminded that the Belize Port Authority has begun annual boat licensing and registration for the period 2013 to 2014. The exercise commenced on Monday, October 7. All boats that are driven by a motor, regardless of size, must be registered and licensed during this period. Boats that fall within this category include skiffs, jet skis, sailing boats, tugboats, barges, dredges, or any other boats that traverse rivers and waterways of Belize. This is a requirement by law under Chapter 234 Revised Edition 2000 Harbors and Merchant Shipping Act.
Failure to register and license your boat will result in a fine of $1,000 and other punitive measures that will be taken to encourage people to comply with the law.
People who need more information on licensing and registering their boats are urged to contact the BPA’s Office at (501) 223-0752 or [email protected] (Ms. Swift) to find out the requirements for registration and licensing.
Important Note: It is now required that proof of address of the captains and registered owner of the boat must be submitted with other documentation as a requirement to update registration information.
Boat licensing will be carried out from 8:00 in the morning to 5:00 in the evening daily during the concentrated and ongoing exercises:
Boat licensing for Belize City and surrounding communities: Commences October 7 at the BPA’s Headquarters on North Front Street and Pickstock Street.
In San Pedro Town and surroundings communities: Takes place from October 7-11, at Fido’s Dock; thereafter at the BPA, Marine Office, San Pedro Town.
In Big Creek, Independence, Monkey River and surrounding areas: Licensing commences October 7 at the BPA Marine Office; inspection area: Mango Creek Public Pier/Hokey Pokey Pier.
In Punta Gorda Town and surrounding communities: Commences October 7, at the BPA Marine Office, Customs Building, Punta Gorda Town.
Caye Caulker Village: October 15 to 18 at the Community Center.
Also in Placencia and Seine Bight Villages: October 21 to 24, at the Placencia Cooperative Building.
October 25 at the Independence/Mango Creek, Monkey River Villages, at Big Creek BPA Office
In Dangriga Town, Hopkins, Sittee River, Mullins River and surrounding areas: Boat licensing will be from October 28 to 30, in Dangriga Town and Mullins River at the Dangriga HelpAge Building.
October 31 to Nov. 1 in Hopkins, Sittee River, and surrounding area at the Sittee River Marina Dock.
Corozal Town, Consejo, Sarteneja, Copper Bank, Chunox Villages, and surrounding areas:
November 4 to 6, Corozal Town and Consejo Village at the Corozal Town Hall. November 7 to 8, Sarteneja, Copper Bank, and Chunox Villages
In Orange Walk Town, Lamani, Bomba, and surrounding communities: The exercise will be from November 11 to 12, in Orange Walk Town and Lamanai at the Lamanai Eco Tour Ltd. Center.
On November 13, the licensing exercise will be conducted in Bomba and surrounding communities in Bomba Village.