The final piece of legislation of the year was the Maritime Marriage Amendment Act 2004. said it sought ?to amend the Maritime Marriage Act 1999 to allow greater flexibility in the conduct of marriages on board Bermuda-registered ships on the high seas.?

At present, marriages on cruise ships may only be conducted by the ship?s Master between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

?When a ship?s Master is absent on account of an emergency situation, such as sudden ill health, the person who is next in command...? takes over.

However, it is not easy for the number one to perform a wedding, hence the amendment.

?The appeal of a wedding at dawn with the sun easing over the blue horizon can probably be matched only by the exchange of marriage vows as the sun dips beyond the golden horizon of the sunset,? Mr. Horton said.

?Mr. Speaker, the 11 cruise ships that offer maritime marriages as an attraction currently provide the Bermuda Shipping Registry with an annual revenue of around $400,550.? said: ?Given the passion and enthusiasm of that brief, we have no choice but to support it.?

There was no debate and the bill was passed.

Premier Alex Scott adjourned the House until February 18, 2005.