1974 International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea

SOLAS 1974

• International Law Documents
  • Nuclear
    • Nuclear Safety
  • Oceans/Law of the Sea
    • International Maritime Organization

International Maritime Organisation (IMO)

–

Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization

Chapter I : General Provisions

Chapter II-1 : Construction Subdivision and Stability, Machinery and Electrical Installations

Chapter II-2 : Construction – Fire Protection, Fire Detection and Fire Extinction

Chapter III : Life Saving Appliances etc.

Chapter IV : Radiotelegraphy and Radiotelephony

Chapter V : Safety of Navigation

Chapter VI : Carriage of Grain

Chapter VII : Carriage of Dangerous Goods

Chapter VIII : Nuclear Ships

Appendix

25/05/1980

Article X ‘Entry into Force’:

“(a) The present Convention shall enter into force twelve months after the date on which not less than twenty-five States, the combined merchant fleets of which constitute not less than fifty per cent of the gross tonnage of the world’s merchant shipping, have become parties to it in accordance with Article IX.

(b) Any instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession deposited after the date on which the present Convention enters into force shall take effect three months after the date of deposit.

(c) After the date on which an amendment to the present Convention is deemed to have been accepted under Article VIII, any instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession deposited shall apply to the Convention as amended.”

This Convention abrogates the 1960 International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea pursuant to Article VI section (a) of the former.

1914 International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea

1948 International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea

1978 Protocol Relating to the 1973 International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (including Annexes, Final Act and 1973 International Convention)

United Nations Treaty Collection accessed on 25/06/2021

Note Article VI ‘Prior Treaties and Conventions’:

“(a) As between the Contracting Governments, the present Convention replaces and abrogates the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea which was signed in London on 17 June 1960.

(b) All other treaties, conventions and arrangements relating to safety of life at sea, or matters appertaining thereto, at present in force between Governments parties to the present Convention shall continue to have full and complete effect during the terms thereof as regards:

(i) ships to which the present Convention does not apply;

(ii) ships to which the present Convention applies, in respect of matters for which it has not expressly provided.

(c) To the extent, however, that such treaties, conventions or arrangements conflict with the provisions of the present Convention, the provisions of the present Convention shall prevail.

(d) All matters which are not expressly provided for in the present Convention remain subject to the legislation of the Contracting Governments.”