Certificate of Competency (Master’s License)

Renewal

Required Electronic Documents for the Renewal of a Certificate of Competency

TIP: In order to avoid processing delays, kindly ensure that you have electronic copies of the following documents and a scanned copy of your payment receipt on hand before attempting to submit your application.

Upload Proof of Identification (Social or Passport)
Upload a copy of the current Master’s License (JPEG/PDF)
Proof Address (If your address has been changed, kindly upload a copy of a current utility bill in your name reflecting the new address. If the utility bill is not in your name, an authorization letter from the owner of the account along with a copy of the utility bill in their name is required)
If any information on the current license requires updating, kindly indicate required changes and provide supporting documents for each required change
Copy of payment receipt

There are three (03) grades of licenses that can be renewed by the Belize Port Authority including the cost.

Grades	Classes of Vessels	Use of Vessel	Age	Areas of Operations	Cost for Renewal of License
3	A, EA	Private, Fishing, Commercial Passenger Vessel of less than 12 Passengers	18+	Coastal	1 yr: $50.00 2 yrs: $100.00 3 yrs: $150.00
2	A, B, C, EB, EC	Private, Fishing, Cargo, Commercial Passenger, Vessel of less than 12 Passengers	18 1/2+	Coastal	1 yr: $75.00 2 yrs: $150.00 3 yrs: $225.00
1	A, B, C, D	Private, Commercial Passenger, Fishing, Cargo	21+	Coastal, Exposed (All waters)	1 yr: $100.00 2 yrs: $200.00 3 yrs: $300.00

Types of Masters’ Licenses being offered by the Belize Port Authority:

Private (PVT)
Commercial Passenger (CML)
Cargo (CGO)

Current Classes as of 1 April 2019:

Class A – 34 feet
Class B- 35-44 feet
Class C- 45 feet -65 feet
Class D- 66 feet and greater measured from stern to stern.
CLASS E- means a CATAMARAN or TRIMARAN of any length.
CLASS EA- means a CATAMARAN or TRIMARAN of no more than 34 feet
CLASS EB – means a CATAMARAN or TRIMARAN between 35 feet and 44 feet
CLASS EC – means a CATAMARAN or TRIMARAN between 45 feet and 65 feet

Fees for Renewal of Certificate of Competency:

Cost of Renewal of Master’s License does not include lateral transfer, replacement, shipping, and same-day processing fees.

Replacement

Required Electronic Documents for the Replacement of a Certificate of Competency

It shall be expressly understood that replacement of Certificate of Competency (Master’s License) will ONLY be carried out when all of the following documents are presented:

Lost Boat Master’s License: Declaration Signed by Commissioner of the Supreme Court
Change of Name: Vital Statistics Certificate/Social Security Card bearing the new name

Additional Required Electronic Documents

Upload Proof of Identification (Social or Passport)
Proof Address (If your address has been changed, kindly upload a copy of a current utility bill in your name reflecting the new address. If the utility bill is not in your name, an authorization letter from the owner of the account along with a copy of the utility bill in their name is required.)
If any information on the current license requires updating, kindly indicate required changes and provide supporting documents for each required change
Upload a signed Declaration to indicate the loss of their Master’s License
Copy of payment receipt

Fees for Replacement of Master’s License:

The cost for Replacement of Master’s License is $30.00 BZD. Cost does not include shipping or same-day processing fees.

Lateral Transfer

Masters can request a lateral transfer providing that it is in the same class without a practical exam.

Eg: A1 to A2 or B1 to B2

A change to a different class of license or Grade will require a practical exam to be conducted by the Belize Port Authority.

Eg: A1 to B1 or B2 to C2
Eg: Grade 3 to Grade 2 or Grade 2 to Grade 1

Fees for Lateral Transfer of Master’s License

The cost for a Lateral Transfer for a Master’s License is $25.00 BZD in addition to the cost of the license. Cost does not include shipping or same-day processing fees.

Areas of Operation

Coastal Waters – any area within the internal waters but which does, in any case, extend to more than 30 nautical miles from a harbour or safe refuge.
Coastal and River Service – a passenger trade between all places in Belize whether by sea or on any river or island water and include the coastal and river services between Belize and the coasts of the Republics of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
All Waters (exposed) – waters that are to the East of internal waters or more than 30 nautical miles from a harbour or safe refuge.

General Guidelines on the Expiration of Licenses

All Masters must be in possession of a valid Certificate of Competency (Master’s License) when operating in Belize’s territorial waters.
Masters are reminded that it is an offense to operate a vessel without a valid Master’s License.
Kindly be advised that all Certificate of Competencies (Masters’ Licenses) expire on the Master’s birthday. Upon obtaining a license, Masters have the option to pay for a maximum of three (03) years.

Processing Time

Standard processing time is 3-4 working days. Additional fees will be required for same-day processing.

Processing Fee

Same Day Processing fee: BZD $25.00 if a completed application is received by 12:00 NOON.

NOTE: All fees will be payable by the Customer for shipment of license via any courier service.

Disclaimer: The Belize Port Authority (BPA) will not be held responsible for any documents mailed at the request of the customer.

Payment can be made at the following banks:

Bank Name	Account Number	Branch Office
Atlantic Bank	100069350	Freetown Road