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SOLAS Convention - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

SOLAS Convention
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) is an international maritime safety treaty.
It ensures that ships flagged by signatory States comply with minimum safety standards in construction, equipment
and operation. The SOLAS Convention in its successive forms is generally regarded as the most important of all
international treaties concerning the safety of merchant ships.[1]

Contents
1 History
1.1 Origin and early versions
1.2 1960 version
1.3 1974 version
1.4 1988 version
1.5 Later amendments
2 Regions of international water
3 Sections of the treaty
4 Signatories
5 See also
6 References
7 External links

History
Origin and early versions
The first version of the treaty was passed in 1914 in response to the sinking of the RMS Titanic. It prescribed
numbers of lifeboats and other emergency equipment along with safety procedures, including continuous radio
watches.[2] The 1914 treaty never entered into force due to the outbreak of the First World War.
Newer versions were adopted in 1929 and 1948.[1][3]

1960 version
The 1960 Convention which entered into force on 27 May 1965 was the first major achievement for
International Maritime Organization (IMO) after its creation. The 1960 version represented a major advance in
updating commercial shipping regulations and in staying up-to-date with new technology and procedures in the
industry.
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1974 version
The intention had been to keep the Convention up to date by periodic amendments, but the procedure to
incorporate the amendments proved to be very slow: it could take several years for the amendments to be put into
action since countries had to give notice of acceptance to IMO and there was a minimum threshold of countries and
tonnage.
As a result, a complete new convention was adopted in 1974 which includes all the agreements and acceptable
procedures. Even though the Convention was updated and amended numerous times, the Convention in force
today is sometimes referred to as SOLAS, 1974.[1]
The 1974 version simplified the process for amending the treaty. A number of amendments have been adopted
since. The latest Convention in 1974 included the "tacit acceptance" procedure whereby amendments enter into
force by default unless nations file objections that meet a certain number or tonnage.
In 1975 the assembly of the IMO decided that the 1974 convention should in future use SI units only.[4]

1988 version
In particular, amendments in 1988 based on amendments of International Radio Regulations in 1987 replaced
Morse code with the Global Maritime Distress Safety System (GMDSS) and came into force beginning 1 February
1992. An idea of the range of issues covered by the treaty can be gained from the list of sections (below).

Later amendments
The up-to-date list of amendments to SOLAS is maintained by the IMO. As of April 2013, the most recent
amendment dates from May 2011.[5]

Regions of international water

SOLAS divides international waters into regions; see the map provided by the IMO ocean atlas
(http://www.oceansatlas.com/unatlas/issues/emergencies/gmdss_sar/SARMAP.PDF). Also, see the status
(http://www.imo.org/includes/blastDataOnly.asp/data_id%3D18744/1-Corr-5.pdf) of these regions along with
technical descriptions. Also, see a list of SAR topics (http://www.imo.org/Safety/mainframe.asp?topic_id=1474).

Sections of the treaty

The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974, requires flag States to ensure that their
ships comply with minimum safety standards in construction, equipment and operation. It includes articles setting out
general obligations, etcetera, followed by an annexe divided into twelve chapters.[1] Of these, chapter five (often
called 'SOLAS V') is the only one that applies to all vessels on the sea, including private yachts and small craft on
local trips as well as to commercial vessels on international passages. Many countries have turned these
international requirements into national laws so that anybody on the sea who is in breach of SOLAS V requirements
may find themselves subject to legal proceedings.[6]

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Chapter I General Provisions

Surveying the various types of ships and certifying that they meet the requirements of the convention.[1]
Chapter II-1 Construction Subdivision and stability, machinery and electrical installations
The subdivision of passenger ships into watertight compartments so that after damage to its hull, a vessel will
remain afloat and stable.[1]
Chapter II-2 Fire protection, fire detection and fire extinction
Fire safety provisions for all ships with detailed measures for passenger ships, cargo ships and tankers.[1]
Chapter III Life-saving appliances and arrangements
Life-saving appliances and arrangements, including requirements for life boats, rescue boats and life jackets
according to type of ship.[1]
Chapter IV Radiocommunications
The Global Maritime Distress Safety System (GMDSS) requires passenger and cargo ships on international
voyages to carry radio equipment, including satellite Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs)
and Search and Rescue Transponders (SARTs).[1]
Chapter V Safety of navigation
This chapter requires governments to ensure that all vessels are sufficiently and efficiently manned from a
safety point of view. It places requirements on all vessels regarding voyage and passage planning, expecting a
careful assessment of any proposed voyages by all who put to sea. Every mariner must take account of all
potential dangers to navigation, weather forecasts, tidal predictions, the competence of the crew, and all
other relevant factors.[6] It also adds an obligation for all vessels' masters to offer assistance to those in
distress and controls the use of lifesaving signals with specific requirements regarding danger and distress
messages. It is different from the other chapters, which apply to certain classes of commercial shipping, in
that these requirements apply to all vessels and their crews, including yachts and private craft, on all voyages
and trips including local ones.[1]
Chapter VI Carriage of Cargoes
Requirements for the stowage and securing of all types of cargo and cargo containers except liquids and
gases in bulk.[1]
Chapter VII Carriage of dangerous goods
Requires the carriage of all kinds of dangerous goods to be in compliance with the International Maritime
Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code).[1]
Chapter VIII Nuclear ships
Nuclear powered ships are required, particularly concerning radiation hazards, to conform to the Code of
Safety for Nuclear Merchant Ships.[1]
Chapter IX Management for the Safe Operation of Ships
Requires every shipowner and any person or company that has assumed responsibility for a ship to comply
with the International Safety Management Code (ISM).[1]
Chapter X Safety measures for high-speed craft
Makes mandatory the International Code of Safety for High-speed craft (HSC Code).
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Chapter XI-1 Special measures to enhance maritime safety

Requirements relating to organisations responsible for carrying out surveys and inspections, enhanced
surveys, the ship identification number scheme, and operational requirements.
Chapter XI-2 Special measures to enhance maritime security
Includes the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code). Confirms that the role of the
Master in maintaining the security of the ship is not, and cannot be, constrained by the Company, the
charterer or any other person. Port facilities must carry out security assessments and develop, implement and
review port facility security plans. Controls the delay, detention, restriction, or expulsion of a ship from a
port. Requires that ships must have a ship security alert system, as well as detailing other measures and
requirements.[1]
Chapter XII Additional safety measures for bulk carriers
Specific structural requirements for bulk carriers over 150 metres in length.[1]

Signatories
The SOLAS Convention has 159 contracting States,[7] which flag about 99% of merchant ships around the world
in terms of gross tonnage.[7]

See also
International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS)
Survival suit
Oswego-Guardian/Texanita collision
Automatic Identification System

References
1. ^ a b c d e f g h

i jkl mnop

"International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)]"

(http://www.imo.org/About/Conventions/ListOfConventions/Pages/International-Convention-for-the-Safety-ofLife-at-Sea-(SOLAS),-1974.aspx). International Maritime Organization (IMO). Retrieved 6 April 2013.

2. ^ Text of the Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, Signed at London, January 20, 1914 [with Translation.]
(http://archive.org/details/textofconvention00inte), London: His Majesty's Stationery Office by Harrison and Sons,
1914
3. ^ International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1948, London, 10th June, 1948
(http://www.imo.org/KnowledgeCentre/ReferencesAndArchives/HistoryofSOLAS/Documents/SOLAS%201948%2
0UK%20Treaty%20Series.pdf), London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office, January 1953
4. ^ "Resolution A.351(IX) Use of metric units in the SI system in the International Convention for the Safety of Life
at Sea, 1974, and other future instruments" (http://www.imo.org/blast/blastDataHelper.asp?
data_id=24097&filename=351(IX).pdf). Assembly Resolutions (International Maritime Organisation). 12 November
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1975. Retrieved 4 September 2012.

5. ^ "SOLAS 1974: Brief History List of amendments to date and where to find them"
(http://www.imo.org/KnowledgeCentre/ReferencesAndArchives/HistoryofSOLAS/Documents/SOLAS%201974%2
0-%20Brief%20History%20%20List%20of%20amendments%20to%20date%20and%20how%20to%20find%20them.html). International
Maritime Organization. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
6. ^ a b "SOLAS V Regulations"
(http://www.rya.org.uk/infoadvice/regssafety/pleasurecraftregs/Pages/SOLASV.aspx). Royal Yachting Association
(RYA). 15 November 2012. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
7. ^ a b Implications of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea for the International Maritime
Organization, Study by the Secretariat of the International Maritime Organization (IMO)
(http://www.imo.org/ourwork/legal/documents/implications%20of%20unclos%20for%20imo.pdf) (LEG/MISC.7),
International Maritime Organization, 19 January 2012, p. 11, retrieved 6 April 2013, "As of December 2011, the
three conventions that include the most comprehensive sets of rules and standards on safety, pollution prevention
and training and certification of seafarers, namely, SOLAS, MARPOL and STCW, have been ratified by 159, 150
and 154 States, respectively (representing approximately 99% gross tonnage of the world's merchant fleet)."

External links
International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code under the auspices of the International Convention for the
Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) of 1 November 1974
(http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/treaties/1998/31.html), (London, 4 June 1996)
International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea
(http://www.ecolex.org/ecolex/ledge/view/RecordDetails;DIDPFDSIjsessionid=AF597443A612D9D5A86
181537571FEDF?id=TRE-001015&index=treaties), Treaty in ECOLEX-the gateway to environmental law
(English)
USCG: Lifesaving & Fire Safety Division (http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/cg5214/)
USCG Summary of IMO conventions
(http://www.uscg.mil/international/affairs/publications/mmscode/english/AppendC.htm)
Ratifications (http://www.imo.org/About/Conventions/StatusOfConventions/Documents/Status%20%202013.pdf), 31 July 2013.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=SOLAS_Convention&oldid=629683952"
Categories: International Maritime Organization treaties Rescue Maritime communication Maritime safety
Water transport International water transport Treaties concluded in 1914 Treaties concluded in 1929
Treaties concluded in 1948 Treaties concluded in 1960 Treaties concluded in 1974 Admiralty law treaties
Treaties of Algeria Treaties of the People's Republic of Angola Treaties of Antigua and Barbuda
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Treaties of Argentina Treaties of Australia Treaties of Austria Treaties of Azerbaijan

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Treaties of the United Kingdom Treaties of the United States Treaties of Uruguay Treaties of Vanuatu
Treaties of Venezuela Treaties of Vietnam Treaties of the Yemen Arab Republic Treaties of Yugoslavia
RMS Titanic Treaties extended to the Isle of Man Treaties extended to the Cayman Islands
Treaties extended to Bermuda Treaties extended to Gibraltar Treaties extended to Guernsey
Treaties extended to Jersey Treaties extended to the Falkland Islands Treaties extended to Anguilla
Treaties extended to Montserrat Treaties extended to the British Virgin Islands
Treaties extended to Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
Treaties extended to the Turks and Caicos Islands Treaties extended to the Netherlands Antilles
Treaties extended to Aruba Treaties extended to Greenland Treaties extended to the Faroe Islands
Treaties extended to Portuguese Macau Treaties extended to British Hong Kong Aids to navigation
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