2-1
Safety
Of
Life
At
Sea
2-2
Introduction and history
The SOLAS Convention in its successive
forms is generally regarded as the most
important of all international treaties
concerning the safety of merchant ships.
The first version was adopted in 1914, in
response to the Titanic disaster, the
second in 1929, the third in 1948 and the
fourth in 1960.
2-3
Introduction and history
The 1960 Convention - which was adopted
on 17 June 1960 and entered into force on
26 May 1965 - was the first major task for
IMO after the Organization's creation and it
represented a considerable step forward in
modernizing regulations and in keeping
pace with technical developments in the
shipping industry.
2-4
Introduction and history
The intention was to keep the Convention
up to date by periodic amendments but in
practice the amendments procedure

occasions.
The Convention in force today is
sometimes referred to as SOLAS, 1974, as
amended.
2-8
Amendment procedure
Amendments proposed by a Contracting
Government are circulated at least six
months before consideration by the
Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) - which
may refer discussions to one or more IMO
Sub-Committees - and amendments are
adopted by a two-thirds majority of
Contracting Governments present and
voting in the MSC.
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Amendment procedure
Contracting Governments of SOLAS,
whether or not Members of IMO are
entitled to participate in the consideration
of amendments in the so-called "expanded
MSC“.
2-10
Amendment procedure
A Conference of Contracting Governments
is called when a Contracting Government
requests the holding of a Conference and
at least one-third of Contracting
Governments agree to hold the
Conference.

through entry into force is 24 months -
circulation: six months, adoption to
deemed acceptance date: 12 months
minimum; deemed acceptance to entry
into force: six months.
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Amendment procedure
However, a resolution adopted in 1994
makes provision for an accelerated
amendment procedure to be used in
exceptional circumstances - allowing for
the length of time from communication of
amendments to deemed acceptance to be
cut to six months in exceptional
circumstances and when this is decided by
a Conference.
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Amendment procedure
In practice to date, the expanded MSC has
adopted most amendments to SOLAS,
while Conferences have been held on
several occasions - notably to adopt whole
new Chapters to SOLAS or to adopt
amendments proposed in response to a
specific incident.
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Technical provisions
The main objective of the SOLAS
Convention is to specify minimum
standards for the construction, equipment