DECODING SOLAS (SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA)

The Why, What and How of the IMO’s most famous rulebook

Let’s go back 200-250 years…

When it all started..

Back in the 18th and 19th century when air travel was yet to take a firm ground, travel by waterways was the only form of

international transport…

Passenger transport through ships and cruise liners was more of a routine than a luxury, unlike what it is today…

...and then Titanic happened…

The huge loss of life and casualties called for solution to prevent such accidents in the future..

..and that’s when SOLAS was born

The Year was 1914, London England

FIRST CONVENTION The world leaders met at a conference, to discuss

and adopt a set of regulations, POPULARLY KNOWN AS SOLAS

Consists of Chapters that touch upon variousaspects of shipping safety like

NAVIGATION CONSTRUCTION RADIOTELEGRAPHY

LIFE-SAVING APPLIANCES FIRE PROTECTION

SOLAS – SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA

SOME IMPORTANT YEARS

FEATURES OF SOLAS

SUPPORTED BY 162 COUNTRIES

COVERS A BROAD SET OF AREAS LIKE

SEAFARING

PASSENGER SHIPS

CARGO TANKERS DEFENSE PATROL

HAZARDOUS MATERIALTRANSPORT

NUCLEARTRANSPORT

HIGHLIGHTS OF SOLAS

CHAPTERS & WHAT THEY ENTAIL

Ch. II-2Provision of Fire Safety Equipment in a way that it doesn’t affect other cargo

Ch. III Under Regulation 34 of the International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code, life saving equipment like life rafts, life boats etc. are to be made compliant with the LSA code

for the safety of the crew in times of distress

CHAPTERS & WHAT THEY ENTAIL

Ch. V Navigation safety services to be provided by contracting

governments to all ships on all voyages

Ch. IV Radio communications: This chapter entails that all the passenger and cargo

ships of 300 gr. Tonnage on international voyages are to carry a GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System)

Ch. VI Weight Verification of Containers going on board. To be measured, checked

and verified by authorized personnel as per SOLAS guidelines

Ch. IX Management of Safe Operation of the Ships. Entails the ship owner to

establish a safety management system that conforms to the International Safety Management Code (ISM)

CHAPTERS & WHAT THEY ENTAIL

Ch. XI-2Special Measures to Enhance Maritime Security. According to Regulation XI-2/3, under

the International Ship and Port Facilities Security Code (ISPS Code), contracting Governments are to ensure that the port facility plans are developed, implemented

and assessed from time to time, triggering strong actions in case of default.

CHAPTERS & WHAT THEY ENTAIL

INCLUSION OF SAFETY APPLIANCES

SOLAS CONFERENCE, 1960The importance of safety equipment, clothing and lifeboats

was stressed upon in the years after this Conference.

Amendments of 1966 and 1967

Increased focus on fire safety measures and life saving

appliances on board.

1968 – 69 Inclusion of Navigational equipment.

1969 – 73Nautical Publications, lifebuoys and life jackets were included as an

important safety accessory on board.

1971- 73 Radio Installations, ladders and hoists were included in the list

of mandatory safety equipment.

LATEST INCLUSIONS OF SAFETY APPLIANCES IN SOLAS

GMDSS

FIRE FIGHTING APPLIANCES

LIFE SAVING APPLIANCES

TRANSFER AND DESCENT EQUIPMENT

RADIOTELEPHONE APPARATUS

WEIGHT VERIFICATION OF CARGO

WHERE THINGS STAND TODAY?

PREPARING FOR SOLAS

The new regulation of SOLAS 2016 aims to increase safety at sea

All containers must be weighed before being loaded on a ship and an estimation of the weight is not permitted from 1 July 2016

All the 171 IMO member-nations need to integrate the new SOLAS amendment to their national law

MORE DETAILS

FOR A DETAILED OVERVIEW OF SOLAS

Visit SOLAS Rules and Regulations detailed on imo.org

Check out our blog post on SOLAS

Please leave your questions and comments below.

Thank you!