International Convention For The Safety of Life at Sea

International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea
(SOLAS), 1974
Adoption: 1 November 1974; Entry into force: 25 May 1980
The SOLAS Convention in its successive forms is generally regarded as the most important of all international
merchant ships. The first version was adopted in 1914, in response to the Titanic disaster, the second in 1929, th
1960. The 1974 version includes the tacit acceptance procedure - which provides that an amendment shall enter
before that date, objections to the amendment are received from an agreed number of Parties.
As a result the 1974 Convention has been updated and amended on numerous occasions. The Convention in for
SOLAS, 1974, as amended.
Technical provisions
The main objective of the SOLAS Convention is to specify minimum standards for the construction, equipment
with their safety. Flag States are responsible for ensuring that ships under their flag comply with its requiremen
prescribed in the Convention as proof that this has been done. Control provisions also allow Contracting Gover
Contracting States if there are clear grounds for believing that the ship and its equipment do not substantially co
Convention - this procedure is known as port State control. The current SOLAS Convention includes Articles s
amendment procedure and so on, followed by an Annex divided into 12 Chapters.

Chapter I - General Provisions
Includes regulations concerning the survey of the various types of ships and the issuing of documents signifying
requirements of the Convention. The Chapter also includes provisions for the control of ships in ports of other C
Chapter II-1 - Construction - Subdivision and stability, machinery and electrical installations
The subdivision of passenger ships into watertight compartments must be such that after assumed damage to th
afloat and stable. Requirements for watertight integrity and bilge pumping arrangements for passenger ships are
requirements for both passenger and cargo ships.

The degree of subdivision - measured by the maximum permissible distance between two adjacent bulkheads -
service in which it is engaged. The highest degree of subdivision applies to passenger ships.

Requirements covering machinery and electrical installations are designed to ensure that services which are ess
passengers and crew are maintained under various emergency conditions.

"Goal-based standards" for oil tankers and bulk carriers were adopted in 2010, requiring new ships to be design
design life and to be safe and environmentally friendly, in intact and specified damage conditions, throughout th
should have adequate strength, integrity and stability to minimize the risk of loss of the ship or pollution to the
failure, including collapse, resulting in flooding or loss of watertight integrity.

Chapter II-2 - Fire protection, fire detection and fire extinction
Includes detailed fire safety provisions for all ships and specific measures for passenger ships, cargo ships and t

They include the following principles: division of the ship into main and vertical zones by thermal and structura
accommodation spaces from the remainder of the ship by thermal and structural boundaries; restricted use of co
any fire in the zone of origin; containment and extinction of any fire in the space of origin; protection of the me
fighting purposes; ready availability of fire-extinguishing appliances; minimization of the possibility of ignition
Chapter III - Life-saving appliances and arrangements

The Chapter includes requirements for life-saving appliances and arrangements, including requirements for life
according to type of ship. The International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code gives specific technical require
under Regulation 34, which states that all life-saving appliances and arrangements shall comply with the applic
Chapter IV - Radiocommunications
The Chapter incorporates the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). All passenger ships and a
and upwards on international voyages are required to carry equipment designed to improve the chances of rescu
satellite emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs) and search and rescue transponders (SARTs) fo
craft.
Regulations in Chapter IV cover undertakings by contracting governments to provide radiocommunication serv
carriage of radiocommunications equipment. The Chapter is closely linked to the Radio Regulations of the Inte
Chapter V - Safety of navigation

Chapter V identifies certain navigation safety services which should be provided by Contracting Governments a
operational nature applicable in general to all ships on all voyages. This is in contrast to the Convention as a wh
classes of ship engaged on international voyages.

The subjects covered include the maintenance of meteorological services for ships; the ice patrol service; routei
search and rescue services.

This Chapter also includes a general obligation for masters to proceed to the assistance of those in distress and f
ensure that all ships shall be sufficiently and efficiently manned from a safety point of view.

The chapter makes mandatory the carriage of voyage data recorders (VDRs) and automatic ship identification s
Chapter VI - Carriage of Cargoes

The Chapter covers all types of cargo (except liquids and gases in bulk) "which, owing to their particular hazard
require special precautions". The regulations include requirements for stowage and securing of cargo or cargo u
Chapter requires cargo ships carrying grain to comply with the International Grain Code.

Chapter VII - Carriage of dangerous goods
The regulations are contained in three parts:
Part A - Carriage of dangerous goods in packaged form - includes provisions for the classification, packing, ma
documentation and stowage of dangerous goods. Contracting Governments are required to issue instructions at
makes mandatory the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, developed by IMO, which is con
new dangerous goods and to supplement or revise existing provisions.

Part A-1 - Carriage of dangerous goods in solid form in bulk - covers the documentation, stowage and segregati
requires reporting of incidents involving such goods.

Part B covers Construction and equipment of ships carrying dangerous liquid chemicals in bulk and requires ch
International Bulk Chemical Code (IBC Code).

Part C covers Construction and equipment of ships carrying liquefied gases in bulk and gas carriers to comply w
International Gas Carrier Code (IGC Code).

Part D includes special requirements for the carriage of packaged irradiated nuclear fuel, plutonium and high-le
and requires ships carrying such products to comply with the International Code for the Safe Carriage of Packag
Plutonium and High-Level Radioactive Wastes on Board Ships (INF Code).

The chapter requires carriage of dangerous goods to be in compliance with the relevant provisions of the Intern
Code (IMDG Code).
Chapter VIII - Nuclear ships

Gives basic requirements for nuclear-powered ships and is particularly concerned with radiation hazards. It refe
Code of Safety for Nuclear Merchant Ships which was adopted by the IMO Assembly in 1981.

Chapter IX - Management for the Safe Operation of Ships
The Chapter makes mandatory the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, which requires a safety mana
the shipowner or any person who has assumed responsibility for the ship (the "Company").

Chapter X - Safety measures for high-speed craft
The Chapter makes mandatory the International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft (HSC Code).

Chapter XI-1 - Special measures to enhance maritime safety
The Chapter clarifies requirements relating to authorization of recognized organizations (responsible for carryin
Administrations' behalves); enhanced surveys; ship identification number scheme; and port State control on ope
Chapter XI-2 - Special measures to enhance maritime security

Regulation XI-2/3 of the chapter enshrines the International Ship and Port Facilities Security Code (ISPS Code
and part B contains guidance as to how best to comply with the mandatory requirements. Regulation XI-2/8 con
exercising his professional judgement over decisions necessary to maintain the security of the ship. It says he sh
Company, the charterer or any other person in this respect.

Regulation XI-2/5 requires all ships to be provided with a ship security alert system. ,Regulation XI-2/6 covers
providing among other things for Contracting Governments to ensure that port facility security assessments are
security plans are developed, implemented and reviewed in accordance with the ISPS Code. Other regulations i
information to IMO, the control of ships in port, (including measures such as the delay, detention, restriction of
within the port, or expulsion of a ship from port), and the specific responsibility of Companies.
Chapter XII - Additional safety measures for bulk carriers

The Chapter includes structural requirements for bulk carriers over 150 metres in length.
Chapter XIII - Verification of compliance

Makes mandatory from 1 January 2016 the IMO Member State Audit Scheme.
Chapter XIV - Safety measures for ships operating in polar waters
The chapter makes mandatory, from 1 January 2017, the Introduction and part I-A of the International Code for
(the Polar Code).
Amendments
The 1974 Convention has been amended many times to keep it up to date.
Amendments adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) are listed in MSC Resolutions.

International Convention For The Safety of Life at Sea

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

International Convention For The Safety of Life at Sea

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

International Convention For The Safety of Life at Sea

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea

Chapter III - Life-saving appliances and arrangements

Chapter V - Safety of navigation

Chapter VI - Carriage of Cargoes

Chapter VIII - Nuclear ships

Chapter XI-2 - Special measures to enhance maritime security

Chapter XII - Additional safety measures for bulk carriers

Chapter XIII - Verification of compliance

Chapter XIV - Safety measures for ships operating in polar waters

Amendments adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) are listed in MSC Resolutions.

You might also like