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

Chapter XIIIVerification of compliance

Verification of compliance

Verification of compliance

Regulation 1 Definitions

Regulation 2 Application

Regulation 3 Verification of compliance

Definitions For the purpose of this chapter:

1 Audit means a systematic, independent and documented process for obtaining audit evidence and evaluating it objectively to determine the extent to which audit criteria are fulfilled.

2 Audit Scheme means the IMO Member State Audit Scheme established by the Organization and taking into account the guidelines developed by the Organization.*

3 Code for Implementation means the IMO Instruments Implementation Code (Ill Code) adopted by the Organization by resolution A.1070(28).

4 Audit Standard means the Code for Implementation.

Regulation 2

Application Contracting Governments shall use the provisions of the Code for Implementation in the execution of their obligations and responsibilitiest contained in the present Convention.

Regulation 3

Verification of compliance

1 Every Contracting Government shall be subject to periodic audits by the Organization in accordance with the audit standard to verify compliance with and implementation of the present Convention.

2 The Secretary-General of the Organization shall have responsibility for administering the Audit Scheme, based on the guidelines developed by the Organization.*

3 Every Contracting Government shall have responsibility for facilitating the conduct of the audit and implementation of a programme of actions to address the findings, based on the guidelines adopted by the Organization .*

4 Audit of all Contracting Governments shall be:

.1 based on an overall schedule developed by the Secretary-General of the Organization, taking into account the guidelines developed by the Organization;* and

.2 conducted at periodic intervals, taking into account the guidelines developed by the Organization.*

• Refer to the Framework and Procedures for the IMO Member State Audit Scheme (resolution A.1067(28)). t Refer to the 2023 Non-exhaustive list of obligations under instruments relevant to the IMO Instruments Implementation Code (Ill Code) (resolution A.1187(33)), as may be amended; Guidance on communication of information by Member States (resolution A.1139(31)); and Guidance in relation to the IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS) to assist in the implementation of the Ill Code by Member States (MSC-MEPC.2/Circ.19).

Safety measures for ships operating in polar waters

Safety measures for ships operating in polar waters

Regulation 1 Definitions

Regulation 2 Application

Regulation 3 Requirements for ships to which this chapter applies

Regulation 4 Alternative design and arrangement

Unified interpretation for chapter XIV … 507

Definitions For the purpose of this chapter:

1 Polar Code means the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters, consisting of an introduction and parts I-A and II-A and parts 1-B and 11-B, as adopted by resolutions MSC.385(94) and by the Marine Environment Protection Committee,* as may be amended, provided that:

.1 amendments to the safety-related provisions of the introduction and part I-A of the Polar Code are 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

.2 amendments to part 1-B of the Polar Code are adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee in accordance with its Rules of Procedure.

2 Antarctic area means the sea area south of latitude 60° S.

3 Arctic waters means those waters which are located north of a line from the latitude 58°00'.0 N and longitude 042 °00'.0 W to latitude 64°37'.0 N, longitude 035°27'.0 W and thence by a rhumb line to latitude 67°03'.9 N, longitude 026°33'.4 W and thence by a rhumb line to the latitude 70°49'.56 N and longitude 008°59'.61 W (S0rkapp, Jan Mayen) and by the southern shore of Jan Mayen to 73°31'.6 N and 019°01'.0 E by the Island of Bj0rn0ya, and thence by a great circle line to the latitude 68°38'.29 N and longitude 043 °23'.08 E (Cap Kanin Nos) and thence by the northern shore of the Asian Continent eastward to the Bering Strait and thence from the Bering Strait westward to latitude 60° N as far as ll'pyrskiy and following the 60th North parallel eastward as far as and including Etolin Strait and thence by the northern shore of the North American continent as far south as latitude 60° N and thence eastward along parallel of latitude 60° N, to longitude 056°37'.1 Wand thence to the latitude 58°00'.0 N, longitude 042 °00'.0 W.

4 Polar waters means Arctic waters and/or the Antarctic area.

5 Ship constructed means a ship the keel of which is laid or which is at a similar stage of construction.

6 At a similar stage of construction means the stage at which:

.1 construction identifiable with a specific ship begins; and

.2 assembly of that ship has commenced comprising at least 50 tonnes or 1% of the estimated mass of all structural material, whichever is less.

Regulation 2

Application

1 Unless expressly provided otherwise, this chapter applies to ships operating in polar waters, certified in accordance with chapter 1.t

2 Ships constructed before 1 January 2017 shall meet the relevant requirements of the Polar Code by the first intermediate or renewal survey, whichever occurs first, after 1 January 2018.

SEE INTERPRETATION 1

• Refer to International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (MEPC.264(68)). t Refer to Interim safety measures for ships not certified under the SOLAS Convention operating in polar waters (resolution A.1137(31)).