Some specific ‘safety-standards’ or safety precautions must be considered while travelling by the sea. Safety standards for the ships are designed to ensure optimum security and protection for these, during the journey. Sea-goers are more likely to seek for International Protection against conflicts, persecution or any other serious threats to their life.
SOLAS aka ‘Safety of Life at Sea’ is considered to be one of the important international treaties concerning the safety of ships. The SOLAS Convention includes the following safety & security norms, implemented to ensure safety during the journey at sea. Take a look:
Technical Provisions:
One of the objectives of the SOLAS-Convention is to specify a minimum standard for construction and operation of ships, compatible with their safety. It is the responsibility of Flag states to check weather ships under their flags comply with their requirements. The provision allows Contracting Governments to inspect ships of other contracting states if there is any clear ground to check the ship & its equipments don’t comply with requirements of the Convention. This process belongs to the Port-State-Control. The advanced SOLAS Convention includes some general amendment procedures followed by Annex divided into a number of chapters.
Construction:
Subdivisions of passenger ships into watertight compartments should be such, that even after any damage to the ship’s hull; it can remain afloat and stable. Requirements for watertight integrity & bilge pumping arrangements for passenger ships must be laid down.
The degree of subdivision is measured by the maximum permissible distance between two adjacent bulkheads, varying with the length of a ship and services that it deals with. The highest degree of subdivision is applied to the passenger ships generally. Requirements including machinery & electrical installations are especially aim to ensure that the services meant for protecting ships are maintained under various emergency conditions.
The ‘Goal-Based-Standards’ for bulk carriers or oil tankers were adopted in 2010. According to this regulation, there should be adequate strength and stability in the ship for cutting down on the risk of loss of the ship or pollution to marine environment due to any structural failure.
1.Fire protection:
‘Fire protection, fire detection and fire extinction’ – altogether include fire safety provisions for passenger ships, oil tanker or cargo ships. Fire protection norms include a few principles like; Restricted usages of combustible materials, Detection of fire in the zone of origin, containment & extinction of fire in the space of origin, adequate availability of fire-extinguishing appliances, Protection of means of escape or access for fire-fighting purpose etc.
2.Life saving arrangements:
A number of life saving appliances are enlisted to this chapter. These life saving arrangements include requirements for life boats, rescue boats and life jackets according to the type of a ship. The ‘International Life-Saving Codes’ offer specific technical requirements that states all life-protecting appliances should comply with the applicable requirements of the LSA Code.
3.Special measures to increase maritime security:
International Ship and Port Facilities Security Code have two parts; part A of the code is mandatory, while part B guides for a perfect compliance with the mandatory-requirments. This requires every ship to be provided with Ship-Security-Alert system and Port facilities. Port facilities and security plans are developed under, implemented and reviewed according to the ISPS Code.
4.Carriage of hazardous goods:
Carriage of harmful goods in packaged form includes provisions for packing, marking, labelling and documentation of the hazardous goods. The Contacting Governments are needed to issue instructions at the national level. It is mandatory for the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, developed by IMO, to constantly update to accommodate new hazardous goods and revise the existing provisions.
The eminent ship broker companies Norway make sure to follow these safety rules while providing cruise ships for sale. Implementation of these above-mentioned safety rules is essential for a safe and hassle-free journey.
