1.3 SOLAS Flashcards
What is the main objectives of SOLAS?
To specify minimum standards for the constrution, equipment and operation of ships, compatible with their safety.
To which all vessel does SOLAS apply?
(a) Unless expressly provided otherwise, the present regulations apply only to ships engaged on international voyages. Note that Chapter V applies to all vessels.
(b) The classes of ships to which each chapter applies are more precisely defined, and the extent of the application is shown in each chapter.
To which all vessels do SOLAS not apply to?
(a) The present regulations, unless expressly provided otherwise, do not apply to:
(i) Ships of war and troopships.
(ii) Cargo ships of less than 500 gross tonnage.
(iii) Ships not propelled by mechanical means.
(iv) Wooden ships of primitive build.
(v) Pleasure yachts not engaged in trade.
(vi) Fishing vessels.
(b) Except as expressly provided in chapter V, nothing herein shall apply to ships solely navigating the Great Lakes of North America and the prescribed area in River St Lawrence.
What is meant by ‘Master’s discretion’? Give an example.
Ref: SOLAS Chapter V - Safety of navigation: Regulation 34-1 - Master’s discretion.
The owner, the charterer, the company operating the ship, or any other person shall not prevent or restrict the master of the ship from taking or executing any decision which, in the master’s professional judgement, is necessary for the safety of life at sea and protection of the marine environment.
E.g. Non-ice class vessel approaching ice, the Master is able refuse to proceed further in respect to, safety of the ship, cargo, crew and the marine environment.
List 12 codes made mandatory under SOLAS.
The codes made mandatory under SOLAS include:
LSA code.
FSS code.
FTP (Fire Test Procedure) code.
ISM code.
ISPS code.
Polar code.
IBC code.
IGC code.
Grain code.
CSS code.
IMDG code.
IMSBC code.
Note: This list is not exhaustive. Only important codes have been mentioned above.
Briefly describe the circumstances under which a fire and abandon ship drill might have to be conducted as described in SOLAS.
Every crew member shall participate in at least one abandon ship drill and one fire drill every month.
The drills of the crew shall take place within 24 hours of the ship leaving a port if more than 25% of the crew have not participated in abandon ship and fire drills on board that particular ship in the previous month.
When a ship enters service for the first time, after modification of a major character or when a new crew is engaged, these drills shall be held before sailing.
Briefly describe the requirement for enclosed space entry drills as described in SOLAS.
Crew members with enclosed space entry or rescue responsibilities shall participate in an enclosed space entry and rescue drill to be held on board the ship at least once every two months.
Briefly describe the SOLAS requirements for launching and manoeuvring of freefall lifeboats.
- At least once every 3 months during an abandon ship drill, the crew shall shall simulate a launch without the actual launch
The lifeboat shall then either be freefall launched with only the required operating crew on board or lowered into the water by means of the secondary means of launching with or without the operating crew on board.
In both cases, the lifeboat shall thereafter be manoeuvred in the water by the operating crew.
- At intervals of not more than 6 months, the lifeboat shall either be launched by freefall with only the operating crew on board, or simulated launching shall be carried out in accordance with the guidelines developed by the organisation.
Briefly describe the Master’s obligations with respect to sending danger messages.
As per SOLAS Chap V Reg 31, Danger Messages:
The Master of every ship which encounters danger, is bound to communicate the information by all means at his disposal to ships in the vicinity, and also to the competent authorities.
The form in which the information is sent is not obligatory. It may be transmitted in plain language (preferably English) or by the International Code of Signals.
Dangers include:
- Dangerous ice
- Dangerous derelict
- Other direct danger to navigation
- Tropical storm
- Sub-freezing air temperatures associated with gale force winds causing severe ice accretion on superstructures, or winds of force 10 or above on the Beaufort Scale for which no storm warning has been received
Describe the Master’s obligation under SOLAS with respect to navigation when ice is reported near the vessel’s intended course?
When ice is reported near the vessel’s intended course, the Master of every ship at night is bound to proceed at a moderate speed or alter his course to go well clear of the danger zone.
As per SOLAS, can the vessel use a signal similar to an international distress signal for training and demonstration purposes? What does the relevant SOLAS regulation state?
No, under SOLAS, the use of an international distress signal, except for the purpose of indicating that a ship or aircraft is in distress, and the use of any signal which may be confused with an international distress signal is prohibited.
Ref: Chapter V > Regulation 35 - Misuse of Distress Signals
Describe the obligations of the Master of a ship at sea on receiving a signal from any source that a ship or aircraft or a survival craft thereof is in distress.
The master of a ship at sea which is in a position to be able to provide assistance on receiving information from any source that persons are in distress at sea, is bound to proceed with all speed to their assistance if possible, informing them or the search and rescue service that the ship is doing so.
This obligation to provide assistance applies regardless of the nationality or status of such persons or the circumstances in which they are found.
If the ship receiving the distress alert is unable or, in the special circumstances of the case, considers it unreasonable or unnecessary to proceed to their assistance, the master must enter in the log book the reason for failing to proceed to the assistance of the persons in distress, taking into account the recommendation of the organisation to inform the appropriate search and rescue service accordingly.
If your vessel is in distress, do you, as the Master, have the right to requisition (demand assistance from) a ship that has answered your distress call?
The master of a ship in distress or the search and rescue service concerned, after consultation, so far as may be possible, with the masters of ships which answer the distress alert, has the right to requisition one or more of those ships as the master of the ship in distress or the search and rescue service considers best able to render assistance, and it shall be the duty of the master or masters of the ship or ships requisitioned to comply with the requisition by continuing to proceed with all speed to the assistance of persons in distress.
Ref: Chapter V > Regulation 33 - Distress Situations: Obligations and Procedures
List the navigational equipment which all ships are required to carry irrespective of their size.
- A properly adjusted standard magnetic compass, or other means, independent of any power supply, to determine the ship’s heading and display the reading at the main steering position.
- A pelorus or compass bearing device, or other means, independent of any power supply, to take bearings over an arc of the horizon of 360°.
- Means of correcting heading and bearings to true at all times.
- Up-to-date charts, sailing directions, lists of lights, notices to mariners, tide tables and other nautical publications necessary to plan and display the ship’s route for the intended. An electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS) is also accepted.
- Back-up arrangements to meet the functional requirements of point 4.
- A receiver for a global navigation satellite system or a, terrestrial radio navigation system, or other means, suitable for use at all times throughout the intended voyage to establish and update the ship’s position by automatic means.
- If less than 150 gross tonnage and, if practicable, a radar reflector or other means to enable detection by ships navigating by radar at both 9 and 3 GHz.
- When the ship’s bridge is totally enclosed and unless the Administration determines otherwise, a sound reception system, or other means, to enable the officer in charge of the navigational watch to hear sound signals and determine their direction.
- A telephone, or other means, to communicate heading information to the emergency steering position if provided.
- All equipment fitted must be of a type approved by the administration (Flag State).
Define ‘safe manning’.
Minimum safe manning is the level of manning that will ensure that a ship is sufficiently, effectively and efficiently manned to provide:
- Safety and security of the ship.
- Safe navigation and operations at sea.
- Safe operations in port
- Prevention of human injury or loss of life.
- The avoidance of damage to the marine environment and property.
- The welfare and health of seafarers through the avoidance of fatigue.
Note: All ships should be sufficiently and efficiently manned and manning is subject to Port State Control inspection.
The Minimum Safe Manning certificate does not have a expiry date but depends on it’s respective flag.
