SOLAS — Safety of Life at Sea
International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 1974, as amended. The most important maritime safety treaty, with 17 chapters covering construction, fire safety, lifesaving appliances, radiocommunications, navigation, dangerous goods, and more.
Chapter Structure
General Provisions
Survey, certification, and port state control provisions. Defines ship types, applicable certificates, survey intervals.
Construction — Subdivision and Stability, Machinery and Electrical Installations
Subdivision, damage stability, intact stability, machinery, steering gear, electrical installations and periodically unattended machinery spaces.
Construction — Fire Protection, Fire Detection and Fire Extinction
Fire safety objectives, requirements for fire protection design, detection, extinction and escape routes for all ship types.
Life-Saving Appliances and Arrangements
LSA requirements by ship type — lifeboats, rescue boats, liferafts, immersion suits, EPIRBs, SARTs, communications equipment.
Radiocommunications
GMDSS requirements — shipborne installations, radio watches, maintenance of equipment and radiocommunication performance standards.
Safety of Navigation
Voyage planning, hydrographic services, meteorological services, ice patrol, ECDIS, AIS, VDR, LRIT, and danger reporting.
Carriage of Cargoes and Oil Fuels
General cargo, solid bulk cargoes, grain, securing of cargo, fuel oil quality, and the IMSBC Code application.
Carriage of Dangerous Goods
Application of the IMDG Code, IMSBC Code and BC Code for dangerous goods in packaged form and solid bulk cargoes.
Nuclear Ships
Special requirements for nuclear-powered merchant ships — reactor safety, radiation protection, damage control.
Management for the Safe Operation of Ships (ISM Code)
Makes the ISM Code mandatory — safety management system (SMS), DPA, company responsibilities, certification (DOC and SMC).
Safety Measures for High-Speed Craft
Makes the HSC Code mandatory for high-speed craft over 12 knots.
Special Measures to Enhance Maritime Safety
Enhanced surveys, ship identification number, port state control and shipboard operational requirements.
Special Measures to Enhance Maritime Security (ISPS Code)
Makes the ISPS Code mandatory — security plans, ship security officer (SSO), port facility security, maritime security certificates.
Additional Safety Measures for Bulk Carriers
Additional requirements for bulk carriers including structural strength, hatch cover testing, and water ingress detection.
Verification of Compliance
IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS) — mandatory audit framework for IMO Members.
Safety Measures for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code)
Mandatory provisions of the Polar Code for ships operating in Arctic and Antarctic waters.
Safety Measures for MODUs
Mobile Offshore Drilling Units — makes the MODU Code mandatory (MSC.474(102), entry into force 2024).
Codes Made Mandatory by SOLAS
Frequently Asked Questions
What does SOLAS stand for?
SOLAS stands for the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea. It is the most important international treaty covering maritime safety, adopted in 1974 and in force since 1980. SOLAS is maintained by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and has 15 chapters covering construction, fire safety, lifesaving appliances, radiocommunications, navigation, and dangerous goods.
Which ships must comply with SOLAS?
SOLAS applies to all ships engaged in international voyages, generally those over 500 GT. Some chapters (e.g., Chapter V — Safety of Navigation) apply to all ships regardless of size or flag state. Specific exemptions exist for fishing vessels, pleasure craft and warships.
What is the ISM Code and where is it in SOLAS?
The International Safety Management (ISM) Code is incorporated into SOLAS Chapter IX. It requires companies and ships to have a Safety Management System (SMS), a Designated Person Ashore (DPA), and valid certificates: Document of Compliance (DOC) for the company and Safety Management Certificate (SMC) for the ship.
What recent amendments have been made to SOLAS?
Recent SOLAS amendments include MSC.521(106) on damage stability (2023), MSC.520(106) on the Polar Code Chapter XIV extension (2023), MSC.514(105) on ECDIS and e-navigation (2023), and MSC.474(102) introducing Chapter XV on Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODUs, 2024 entry into force).
About This Page
Information compiled by the HeyMariner maritime intelligence team with expertise in IMO regulations, NAVAREA coordination, and maritime safety. Data sourced from official IMO publications, NGA MSI, and flag state administrations. Last reviewed: 2026.