Maritime Law – International Convention for the Safety Of Life At Sea 1974 (SOLAS ’74) – Chapter I (General provisions)

Q1. Define “International Voyage”

Under regulation 2: Definitions

A voyage from a country to which the present Convention applies to a port outside such country, or conversely.

Q2. Define :

a. Passenger

Every person other than: the master and the member of the crew or other persons employed or engaged in any capacity on board a ship on the business of that ship and a child under one year of age.

b. Passenger ship

A ship which carries more than twelve passengers.

c. Cargo ship

Any ship which is not a passenger ship

d. Tanker

A cargo ship constructed or adapted for the carriage in bulk of liquid cargoes of an inflammable nature.

e. Age of a ship

The elapsed period of time determined from the year of build as indicated on the ship’s registry papers.

3. Explain who may carry out surveys for the enforcement of the provisions of SOLAS

Under regulation 6: Inspection and surveys

Officers of the Administration or entrust the inspections and surveys either to surveyors nominated for the purpose or to organizations recognized by it.

4. Describe the procedures which apply if the surveyor finds that the ship does not comply with the provisions or is in such a condition that it is not fit to proceed to sea without danger to the ship or to persons on board.

Under regulation 19: Control

Ensure that the ship shall not sail it can proceed to sea or leave the port for the purpose of proceeding to the appropriate repair yard without danger to the ship or persons on board.

5. Explain who will decide whether a survey required when any accident or defect affecting safety, efficiency or completeness of LSA of the ship?

Under regulation 11: Maintenance of conditions after survey

The nominated surveyor or recognized organization responsible for issuing the relevant certificate, who shall cause investigations to be initiated to determine whether a survey as require.

6. Describe the circumstances in which certificates cease to be valid.

Under regulation 14: Duration and validity of certificates

i. if the inspections and surveys are not carried out within the periods specified.

ii. upon transfer of the ship to the flag of another Government.