The importance of life rafts and other safety equipment has emerged in the saving of human life at sea due to the inadequacies and lack of information that emerged as a result of the death of approximately 1500 people in the Titanic disaster. Its first version was adopted in 1914, but its entry into force was delayed due to the outbreak of the First World War. The second version of Solas was accepted in 1929 and the third version was accepted in 1949 and remained valid until 1960. It is aimed to be provided in the technological conditions required by that day. It was accepted in line with the decisions taken on November 1, 1974 and entered into force on May 25, 1980.
The International Maritime Safety Convention (SOLAS) is the international maritime safety treaty of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the maritime arm of the United Nations. It regulates the safety of commercial ships sailing in the ocean. This regulation, implemented by the IMO Maritime Safety Committee, requires that the full weight of loaded containers be obtained before they are used on an ocean liner.
The main purpose of the SOLAS Convention is to set the required standards for the construction, equipment and operation of ships that are suitable for their safety. Flag States are responsible for ensuring that ships under their flag comply with the requirements and control them. The control provisions allow contracting states to inspect other contracting states’ ships if there are open grounds to believe that the ship and its equipment substantially do not comply with the requirements of the convention – this procedure is known as port state control.
The first chapter, general provisions: It contains information on researching various ship types and issuing documents stating that the ship meets the convention’s requirements. This section also includes the provisions regarding the control of ships in the ports of other Contracting States.
The Chapter of Construction, Subdivision and Stability, Machinery and Electrical Installations: In case of damage to the hull of the ship, the ship must stand in a standing position and stable. Requirements for passenger and cargo ships have been established with regulations for waterproofing integrity and bilge pumping. The degree of subdivision, measured by the maximum allowable distance between two neighbouring compartments, varies according to the length of the ship and the service in which it is commissioned. The highest subdivision applies to cruise ships.
The Chapter of Fire Protection, Fire Detection and Extinguishing: It contains fire safety provisions required for all ships and special measures for cruise ships, cargo ships and tankers. These special measures vary according to the type, chemistry and flammability of the goods transported in cargo ships.
The Chapter of Life Saving Devices and Arrangements: This section contains life-saving equipment and arrangements including life-saving boats, rescue boats and lifejackets depending on the type of ship. The International Life-Saving Device (LSA) Code provides specific technical requirements for LSAs and is mandatory by Regulation 34 stating that all life-saving devices and regulations will comply with the relevant requirements of the LSA Code.
The chapter on Radio Communication: Includes the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). All cruise ships and all cargo ships with 300 gross tonnages and on international voyages must carry equipment designed to increase the chances of rescue after an accident, including satellite emergency location showing radio signs (EPIRBs) and search and rescue transport (SART). . As you can see, radio communication is also very important for security.
The chapter of Safety of Navigation: This section describes the specific safety services that must be provided by Contracting Governments and sets out provisions of an operational nature that are generally applicable to all ships on all voyages. This is in contrast to the Convention as a whole and applies only to certain classes of ships on international voyages.
As of the first of January, 2014, it is reported that SOLAS and Shipborne Marine Pollution Prevention Conventions and the Load Lines Protocol of 1988 have come into force. Thereafter, according to SOLAS, new passenger ships were obliged to use the stability systems either on the bridge or in the facilities on the shore. The SOLAS changes also required free-fall lifeboats to be tested operationally. Each cruise ship is obliged to issue the minimum required safe crew provision document, following a transparent procedure, taking into account the minimum safe employment principles adopted by IMO. Also, the International Enhanced Inspection Program Code used during the Bulk Carriers and Tanks Surveys has become mandatory. The current version of SOLAS is the 1974 version known as SOLAS 1974, which took effect on May 25, 1980. As of November 2018, SOLAS included 164 contractual states in 1974. To summarize, SOLAS, in its successive forms, is regarded as the most important of all international agreements regarding the safety of merchant ships.
You can continue to follow our blog posts to get the latest news about the marine industry. As a genera lship supplier, we provide a wide range of products available. Deck, engine, cabin, bonded stores and technical provisions can be provided around the clock in all major ports in İstanbul,Tuzla,İzmir,Mersin and all around Turkey. Navalium also provides ship chandlery services, ship supply, technical equipment supply, bonded store, ship repair services, cabin stores, deck stores and ship spare parts delivery services in transit to your vessels in all Turkish ports, straits and shipyard services at ports in the Mediterranean Sea, Aegean Sea, Black Sea and the Marmara Sea for ship owners and ship management companies, with guaranteed fast, efficient and reliable service quality. We have built strong relationships with suppliers, distributors and manufacturers all over the world and we channel the strength of this network into making sure that our customers enjoy the comfort
