back a new law to allow captains of vessels to perform marriage ceremonies on the high seas.

The House of Assembly is today set to discuss the Maritime Marriages Act, which aims to allow cruise ships to become floating Registrar's Offices.

The move came amid a boom period for Bermuda's Registry of Shipping -- with several new ships expected in the near future.

Labour and Home Affairs Minister Paula Cox said when she introduced the new Act that many countries where ships were previously registered -- like the UK -- allowed ship's masters to perform civil marriages at sea.

She said: "There are some ships which come under the Bermuda Registry who would find this very attractive.'' The new Act also lays down strict rules governing shipboard weddings.

Registrar General Marlene Christopher will hold a list of ships' captains licensed by Ms Cox to carry out marriages.

Captains will also be required to keep a special log of weddings and forward copies for registration on the Island -- and religious ceremonies are not included in the legislation.

Would-be married couples will also have to give at least two weeks' notice of the proposed ceremony, which will be posted in the Registrar's Office and carried in two Island-based newspapers.

But the proposed law also allows special licences and emergency marriages when one of the parties is dying, which can be carried out at the discretion of the captain of the ship.

Couples must also be married between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. in the presence of at least two "credible witnesses''.

But the main event of the day is likely to be a statement by Premier Jennifer Smith on recent trips abroad -- which is likely to include reference to the row over Bermuda's attempt to block the appointment of ex-Attorney General Saul Froomkin as Canadian Honorary Consul in Bermuda.

Also on the agenda for today is a set of draft regulations from Transport Minister Ewart Brown for the holding of mortgages of aircraft and aircraft engines in Bermuda.

An Act allowing the aircraft and aircraft engine mortgages to be held on-Island was passed by the House last month.

The move complements the Island's Registry of Aircraft -- which has also been riding sky-high in recent times.

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