International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974

Chapter XI-1Special measures to enhance maritime safety

1 This regulation applies to all passenger ships of 100 gross tonnage and upwards and to all cargo ships of

300 gross tonnage and upwards.

2 Every ship shall be provided with an identification number which conforms to the IMO ship identification number scheme adopted by the Organization.*

3 The ship's identification number shall be insertedt on the certificates and certified copies thereof issued under regulation 1/12 or regulation 1/13.

4 The ship's identification number shall be permanently marked:

.1 in a visible place either on the stern of the ship or on either side of the hull, amidships port and starboard, above the deepest assigned load line or either side of the superstructure, port and starboard or on the front of the superstructure or, in the case of passenger ships, on a horizontal surface visible from the air; and

.2 in an easily accessible place either on one of the end transverse bulkheads of the machinery spaces, as defined in regulation 11-2/3.30, or on one of the hatchways or, in the case of tankers, in the pump-room or, in the case of ships with ro-ro spaces, as defined in regulation 11-2/3.41, on one of the end transverse bulkheads of the ro-ro spaces.

5.1 The permanent marking shall be plainly visible, clear of any other markings on the hull and shall be painted in a contrasting colour.

5.2 The permanent marking referred to in paragraph 4.1 shall be not less than 200 mm in height. The permanent marking referred to in paragraph 4.2 shall not be less than 100 mm in height. The width of the marks shall be proportionate to the height.

5.3 The permanent marking may be made by raised lettering or by cutting it in or by centre-punching it or by any other equivalent method of marking the ship identification number which ensures that the marking is not easily expunged.

5.4 On ships constructed of material other than steel or metal, the Administration shall approve the method of marking the ship identification number.

Regulation 3-1

Company and registered owner identification number

1 This regulation applies to Companies and registered owners of ships to which chapter I applies.

2 For the purpose of this regulation, registered owner shall be as specified by the Administration and Company as defined in regulation IX/I.

3 Every Company and registered owner shall be provided with an identification number which conforms to the IMO Unique Company and Registered Owner Identification Number Scheme adopted by the Organization.+

4 The Company identification number shall be inserted on the certificates and certified copies thereof issued under regulation IX/4 and section A/19.2 or A/19.4 of the ISPS Code.

5 This regulation shall take effect when the certificates referred to in paragraph 4 are issued or renewed on or after 1 January 2009.

* Refer to /MO ship identification number scheme (resolution A.1117(30)) and Implementation of resolution A.7777(30) - /MO ship identification number scheme (Circular letter No.1886/Rev.7), as may be amended. t Refer to Marking the ship's plans, manuals and other documents with the /MO ship identification number (MSC/Circ.1142-MEPC/ Circ.425). * Refer to Adoption of the /MO unique company and registered owner identification number scheme (resolution MSC.160(78) and Corr.1) and Implementation of the /MO unique company and registered owner identification number scheme (resolution MSC.160(78)) (Circular Letter No.2554/Rev.4), as may be amended.

Regulation 4

Port State control on operational requirements*

1 A ship when in a port of another Contracting Government is subject to control by officers duly authorized by such Government concerning operational requirements in respect of the safety of ships, when there are clear grounds for believing that the master or crew are not familiar with essential shipboard procedures relating to the safety of ships.

2 In the circumstances defined in paragraph 1 of this regulation, the Contracting Government carrying out the control shall take such steps as will ensure that the ship shall not sail until the situation has been brought to order in accordance with the requirements of the present Convention.

3 Procedures relating to the port State control prescribed in regulation 1/19 shall apply to this regulation.

4 Nothing in the present regulation shall be construed to limit the rights and obligations of a Contracting Government carrying out control over operational requirements specifically provided for in the regulations.

Regulation 5

Continuous Synopsis Record

1 Every ship to which chapter I applies shall be issued with a Continuous Synopsis Record.

2.1 The Continuous Synopsis Record is intended to provide an on-board record of the history of the ship with respect to the information recorded therein.

2.2 For ships constructed before 1 July 2004, the Continuous Synopsis Record shall, at least, provide the history of the ship as from 1 July 2004.

3 The Continuous Synopsis Record shall be issued by the Administration to each ship that is entitled to fly its flag and it shall contain, at least, the following information (the Continuous Synopsis Record shall contain the information in paragraphs 3.7 and 3.10 when it is issued or updated on or after 1 January 2009):

.1 the name of the State whose flag the ship is entitled to fly;

.2 the date on which the ship was registered with that State;

.3 the ship's identification number in accordance with regulation 3;

.4 the name of the ship;

.5 the port at which the ship is registered;

.6 the name of the registered owner(s) and their registered address(es);

.7 the registered owner identification number;

.8 the name of the registered bareboat charterer(s) and their registered address(es), if applicable;

.9 the name of the Company, as defined in regulation IX/1, its registered address and the address(es)

from where it carries out the safety management activities;

.10 the Company identification number;

.11 the name of all classification society(ies) with which the ship is classed;

.12 the name of the Administration or of the Contracting Government or of the recognized organization which has issued the Document of Compliance (or the Interim Document of Compliance), specified in the ISM Code as defined in regulation IX/1, to the Company operating the ship and the name of the body which has carried out the audit on the basis of which the Document was issued, if other than that issuing the Document;

* Refer to Procedures for port State control, 2023 (resolution A.1185(33)).

.13 the name of the Administration or of the Contracting Government or of the recognized organization that has issued the Safety Management Certificate (or the Interim Safety Management Certificate), specified in the ISM Code as defined in regulation IX/1, to the ship and the name of the body which has carried out the audit on the basis of which the Certificate was issued, if other than that issuing the Certificate;

.14 the name of the Administration or of the Contracting Government or of the recognized security organization that has issued the International Ship Security Certificate (or the Interim International Ship Security Certificate), specified in part A of the ISPS Code as defined in regulation Xl-2/1, to the ship and the name of the body which has carried out the verification on the basis of which the Certificate was issued, if other than that issuing the Certificate; and

.15 the date on which the ship ceased to be registered with that State.

4.1 Any changes relating to the entries referred to in paragraphs 3.4 to 3.12 shall be recorded in the Continuous Synopsis Record so as to provide updated and current information together with the history of the changes.

4.2 In case of any changes relating to the entries referred to in paragraph 4.1, the Administration shall issue, as soon as is practically possible but not later than three months from the date of the change, to the ships entitled to fly its flag either a revised and updated version of the Continuous Synopsis Record or appropriate amendments thereto.

4.3 In case of any changes relating to the entries referred to in paragraph 4.1, the Administration, pending the issue of a revised and updated version of the Continuous Synopsis Record, shall authorize and require either the Company as defined in regulation IX/ 1 or the master of the ship to amend the Continuous Synopsis Record to reflect the changes. In such cases, after the Continuous Synopsis Record has been amended, the Company shall, without delay, inform the Administration accordingly.

5.1 The Continuous Synopsis Record shall be in English, French or Spanish language. Additionally, a translation of the Continuous Synopsis Record into the official language or languages of the Administration may be provided.

5.2 The Continuous Synopsis Record shall be in the format developed by the Organization and shall be maintained in accordance with guidelines developed by the Organization.* Any previous entries in the Continuous Synopsis Record shall not be modified, deleted or, in any way, erased or defaced.

6 Whenever a ship is transferred to the flag of another State or the ship is sold to another owner (or is taken over by another bareboat charterer) or another Company assumes the responsibility for the operation of the ship, the Continuous Synopsis Record shall be left on board.

7 When a ship is to be transferred to the flag of another State, the Company shall notify the Administration of the name of the State under whose flag the ship is to be transferred so as to enable the Administration to forward to that State a copy of the Continuous Synopsis Record covering the period during which the ship was under its jurisdiction.

8 When a ship is transferred to the flag of another State the Government of which is a Contracting Government, the Contracting Government of the State whose flag the ship was flying hitherto shall transmit to the Administration, as soon as possible after the transfer takes place, a copy of the relevant Continuous Synopsis Record covering the period during which the ship was under their jurisdiction together with any Continuous Synopsis Records previously issued to the ship by other States.

9 When a ship is transferred to the flag of another State, the Administration shall append the previous Continuous Synopsis Records to the Continuous Synopsis Record the Administration will issue to the ship so to provide the continuous history record intended by this regulation.

10 The Continuous Synopsis Record shall be kept on board the ship and shall be available for inspection at all times.

* Refer to Format and guidelines for the maintenance of the Continuous Synopsis Record (CSR) (resolution A.959(23), as amended by MSC.198(80)), and Guidance to port State control officers on the non-security related elements of the 2002 SOLAS amendments (MSC/Circ.1113).

Regulation 6

Additional requirements for the investigation of marine casualties and incidents* Taking into account regulation 1/21, each Administration shall conduct investigations of marine casualties and incidents, in accordance with the provisions of the present Convention, as supplemented by the provisions of the Code of the International Standards and Recommended Practices for a Safety Investigation into a Marine Casualty or Marine Incident (Casualty Investigation Code) adopted by resolution MSC.255(84), and:

.1 the provisions of parts I and II of the Casualty Investigation Code shall be fully complied with;

.2 the related guidance and explanatory material contained in part Ill of the Casualty Investigation Code should be taken into account to the greatest possible extent in order to achieve a more uniform implementation of the Casualty Investigation Code;

.3 amendments to parts I and II of the Casualty Investigation Code shall be adopted, brought into force and take effect in accordance with the provisions of article VIII of the present Convention concerning the amendment procedures applicable to the annex other than chapter I; and

.4 part Ill of the Casualty Investigation Code shall be amended by the Maritime Safety Committee in accordance with its rules of procedure.

Regulation 7

Atmosphere testing instrument for enclosed spaces SEE INTERPRETATION 1

Every ship to which chapter I applies shall carry an appropriate portable atmosphere testing instrument or instrumentst. As a minimum, these shall be capable of measuring concentrations of oxygen, flammable gases or vapours, hydrogen sulphide and carbon monoxide prior to entry into enclosed spaces+. Instruments carried under other requirements may satisfy this regulation . Suitable means shall be provided for the calibration of all such instruments.

* Refer to the following resolutions: IMO Instruments Implementation Code (Ill Code) (resolution A.1070(28)); Guidelines to assist investigators in the implementation of the Casualty Investigation Code (resolution MSC.255(84)) (resolution A.1075(28)); Recommendation on the conclusion of agreements and arrangements between States on the question of access and employment of foreign sea-borne salvage equipment in territorial waters (resolution A.203(VII)); Guidelines on fair treatment of seafarers in the event of a maritime accident (resolution A.987(24)); Promotion as widely as possible of the application of the 2006 Guidelines on fair treatment of seafarers in the event of a maritime accident (resolution A.1056(27)/Rev.1); and Notification and circulation through the Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS) (resolution A.1074(28)) and Guidance on communication of information by Member States (resolution A.1139(31)). Refer also to: Revised harmonized reporting procedures - Reports required under SOLAS regulations 1/21 and XJ-1/6, and MARPOL, articles 8 and 12 (MSC-MEPC.3/Circ.4/Rev.1 ); Provision of preliminary information on serious and very serious casualties by rescue coordination centres (MSC/Circ.802-MEPC/ Circ.332); Guidance on near-miss reporting (MSC-MEPC.7/Circ.7); and Reporting near misses (MSC.Circ.1015). t Refer to Guidelines to facilitate the selection of portable atmosphere testing instruments for enclosed spaces as required by SOLAS regulation XJ-1/7 (MSC.1/Circ.1477). t Refer to Revised recommendations for entering enclosed spaces aboard ships (resolution A.1050(27)).

UNIFIED INTERPRETATIONS

Unified interpretation for chapter Xl-1

1 Provision of suitable means for the calibration of (Source: MSC.1/Circ.1561)

portable atmosphere testing instruments Reg. 7 1.1 Compliance with the provision "suitable means shall be provided for the calibration of all such instruments" in SOLAS regulation Xl-1/7, as adopted by resolution MSC.380(94), may be achieved by portable atmosphere testing instruments being calibrated on board or ashore in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

1.2 For the avoidance of any doubt, the above clarification refers to the calibration of portable atmosphere testing instruments, as required by SOLAS regulation Xl-1/7, and not to any pre-operational accuracy tests as recommended by the manufacturer.

Special measures to enhance maritime security

Special measures to enhance maritime security

Regulation 1 Definitions

Regulation 2 Application

Regulation 3 Obligations of Contracting Governments with respect to security

Regulation 4 Requirements for Companies and ships

Regulation 5 Specific responsibility of Companies

Regulation 6 Ship security alert system

Regulation 7 Threats to ships

Regulation 8 Master's discretion for ship safety and security

Regulation 9 Control and compliance measures

Regulation 10 Requirements for port facilities

Regulation 11 Alternative security agreements

Regulation 12 Equivalent security arrangements

Regulation 13 Communication of informati on

Definitions

1 For the purpose of this chapter, unless expressly provided otherwise:

.1 Bulk carrier means a bulk carrier as defined in regulation IX/1.6 .

.2 Chemical tanker means a chemical tanker as defined in regulation Vll/8.2 .

.3 Gas carrier means a gas carrier as defined in regulation Vll/11.2 .

.4 High-speed craft means a craft as defined in regulation X/1.3 .

.5 Mobile offshore drilling unit means a mechanically propelled mobile offshore drilling unit, as defined in regulation IX/1.7, not on location .

.6 Oil tanker means an oil tanker as defined in regulation 11-1/2.22 .

.7 Company means a Company as defined in regulation IX/ 1.2 .

.8 Ship/port interface means the interactions that occur when a ship is directly and immediately affected by actions involving the movement of persons, goods or the provisions of port services to or from the ship .

.9 Port facility is a location, as determined by the Contracting Government or by the Designated Authority, where the ship/port interface takes place. This includes areas such as anchorages, waiting berths and approaches from seaward, as appropriate .

.10 Ship-to-ship activity means any activity not related to a port facility that involves the transfer of goods or persons from one ship to another.

.11 Designated Authority means the organization(s) or the administration(s) identified, within the Contracting Government, as responsible for ensuring the implementation of the provisions of this chapter pertaining to port facility security and ship/port interface, from the point of view of the port facility.

.12 International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code means the International Code for the Security of Ships and of Port Facilities consisting of part A (the provisions of which shall be treated as mandatory) and part B (the provisions of which shall be treated as recommendatory), as adopted, on 12 December 2002, by resolution 2 of the Conference of Contracting Governments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 as may be amended by the Organization, provided that:

.1 amendments to part A of the Code are adopted, brought into force and take effect in accordance with article VIII of the present Convention concerning the amendment procedures applicable to the annex other than chapter I; and

.2 amendments to part B of the Code are adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee in accordance with its Rules of Procedure .

.13 Security incident means any suspicious act or circumstance threatening the security of a ship, including a mobile offshore drilling unit and a high-speed craft, or of a port facility or of any ship/ port interface or any ship-to-ship activity.

.14 Security level means the qualification of the degree of risk that a security incident will be attempted or will occur.

.15 Declaration of Security means an agreement reached between a ship and either a port facility or another ship with which it interfaces, specifying the security measures each will implement.