Effective on 15 July 2005, the Government of Belize ratified the Merchant Shipping (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1976, (No.147) and the Accommodation of Crews Convention, 1949 (No.92) and its (Supplementary Provisions) Convention, 1970 (No.133) of the International Labour Organization (ILO). Regarding to the above, Technical Note TN-0017 has been noted by the Administration.
Under the Accommodation of Crews Convention (Revised), 1949 (No.92) contained in the Appendix to ILO No.147 and the Accommodation of Crews (Supplementary Provisions) Convention, 1970 (No.133) (hereinafter, Conventions), the Administration is required to ensure that the crew accommodation onboard every seagoing mechanically propelled vessel, whether public or privately owned, which is engaged in the transportation of cargo or passengers for the purpose of trade meets the international accepted standards specified therein.
The requirements of TN-0017 are as follows:

1. Application
With effect from the 1 March 2006, all Belize registered vessels shall comply with the provisions for Crew Accommodations contained in the Conventions of as follows;
(1) Vessels registered prior to 13 December 2005 are to be properly surveyed and certified until the next scheduled statutory or class survey after 1 March 2006 but not later than the 31 December 2006.
(2) Vessels registered after 13 December 2005 shall provide at the date of completion of Classification Survey.

2. Exceptions
(1) The provisions of the Conventions shall apply to all Belize registered vessels of 500 gross tons and above, with the exception of;
(i) Fishing Vessels
(ii) Ships of war and troopships
(iii) Wooden ships of primitive build
(iv) Pleasure Crafts not used for commercial purposes
(v) Un-manned vessels
(vi) Tugs
(vii) Vessels trading in territorial water of anyone country
(To be continued)