SOLAS Standards: What Does a Boat Need to Be Compliant?

What are SOLAS Requirements

SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) is the main international safety standard for ships.

It sets rules to protect passengers, crew, and vessels at sea. I dedicated many articles to safety for leisure users as well.

SOLAS covers lifesaving equipment, emergency procedures, fire safety, navigation, and rescue operations.

But…

These rules will only apply to RIBs if…

• it is a passenger ship carrying more than 12 passengers on an international voyage; or
• it is a RIB carried aboard a SOLAS ship and designated as a Fast Rescue Boat (FRB). In that case, the RIB would need to comply with the International Life-Saving Appliance Code (LSA Code) and associated SOLAS requirements for rescue craft.

The List of the Requirements

• Approved Design
  • Must be approved by the vessel’s Flag Administration or a recognized classification society.
  • Must comply with SOLAS Chapter III and the IMO LSA Code.
• Construction
  • Rigid hull with inflatable buoyancy tubes.
  • Materials must be resistant to corrosion, UV exposure, fuel, oil, and marine environmental conditions.
  • Sufficient strength for repeated launching and recovery operations.
• Capacity
  • Must accommodate the number of persons specified in the approval certificate.
  • Seating arrangements must safely secure all occupants.
• Stability and Buoyancy
  • Must remain afloat and stable when fully loaded.
  • Adequate reserve buoyancy even if one or more buoyancy chambers are damaged.
• Engine Performance
  • Reliable propulsion system suitable for rescue operations.
  • Fast Rescue Craft (FRC) versions must achieve speeds required by the LSA Code (typically at least 20 knots in calm water with crew and equipment).
• Manoeuvrability
  • Capable of safe operation in adverse weather and sea conditions.
  • Able to recover persons from the water effectively.
• Launching and Recovery
  • Compatible with an approved SOLAS launching appliance (davits or other approved systems).
  • Capable of being launched and recovered safely with the assigned crew.
• Safety Equipment
  • Searchlight.
  • Radar reflector (if required).
  • VHF radiocommunication equipment.
  • First-aid kit.
  • Rescue quoit and line.
  • Boat hook.
  • Towline.
  • Compass.
  • Pyrotechnic distress signals (where required).
  • Thermal protective aids and other equipment specified by the LSA Code.
• Markings
  • Clearly marked with:
    • Vessel name and/or identification number.
    • Capacity.
    • Approval information.
    • Operational limitations where applicable.
• Maintenance and Inspection
  • Subject to regular inspections, servicing, and operational testing.
  • Inflatable tubes must undergo periodic pressure checks and maintenance according to manufacturer and SOLAS requirements.
• Crew Requirements
  • Must be operated by personnel trained and certified in rescue boat or fast rescue craft operations.
  • Regular drills required under SOLAS Chapter III.
• Certification
  • Valid approval certificate.
  • Included in the vessel’s lifesaving appliance certification and survey regime.
  • Documentation available for inspection by Flag State and Port State Control.

Key Regulatory References

• SOLAS Convention Chapter III
• International Maritime Organization Life-Saving Appliances (LSA) Code
• IMO Resolution MSC.48(66) (LSA Code)
• IMO Resolution MSC.81(70) (Testing of Life-Saving Appliances)

References

SOLAS Convention (IMO)
https://www.imo.org/en/About/Conventions/Pages/International-Convention-for-the-Safety-of-Life-at-Sea-(SOLAS),-1974.aspx

IMO (International Maritime Organization)
https://www.imo.org

IMO e-Publications – Life-Saving Appliances Including LSA Code
https://imo-epublications.org/content/books/9789280117530

UN Digital Library – International Life-Saving Appliance Code (MSC.48(66))
https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/256373

IMO – History of Life-Saving Appliance Requirements
https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Safety/Pages/historyofLSA-default.aspx

IMO Resolution MSC.81(70) – Testing of Life-Saving Appliances (PDF)
https://wwwcdn.imo.org/localresources/en/KnowledgeCentre/IndexofIMOResolutions/MSCResolutions/MSC.81%2870%29.pdf

Lloyd’s Register
https://www.lr.org

DNV
https://www.dnv.com

Bureau Veritas
https://www.bureauveritas.com

ABS (American Bureau of Shipping)
https://www.eagle.org

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