Can someone explain (hopefully in layman's terms) what SOLAS 2010 is all about?

SOLAS 2010 actually refers to the deadline - specifically 1 October 2010 - by which certain SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) requirements must be met.

The SOLAS Convention in its successive forms is one of 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. After attempts at keeping exisitng conventions updated proved unsuccesful, a completely new Convention was adopted in 1974 and that, and its various amendments, is what is in force today.

The amendments you asked about - sometimes referred to as SOLAS 2010 - were adopted on 10 April 1992 (Resolution MSC.24(60)) and introduced new fire protection requirements for passenger ships constructed before 1 October 1994. Specifically, these new requirements were to be phased in during the 16 year period 1 October 1994 / 1 October 2010.

The April 1992 amendments are particularly important because they apply to existing ships. In the past, major changes to SOLAS had been restricted to new ships by so-called "grandfather clauses".

The specific requirements are contained in the new Regulations II-2/41-1 and 41-2.

In particular, according to paragraph 2.4 of Regulation 41-1, pre SOLAS 74 passenger ships shall comply with all the requirements of "chapter II-2" applicable to ships constructed on or after 25 May 1980 not later than 1 October 2010.

Put another way, these older ships must be brought up to the specs of the newer ships by 1 October 2010 at the latest. Practically speaking, this means that by October 2010 most of the materials onboard these ships must be non-combustible. The regulations also covered mandatory requirements for smoke detection and alarm and sprinkler systems in accommodation and service spaces, stairway enclosures and corridors. Other improvements involved the provision of emergency lighting, general emergency alarm systems and other means of communication.

The challange to many of these older ships is that to comply with the requirements, large portions of the ships will need to be taken apart, changes made and then be put back together. Either that or the ships could be gutted and rebuilt to meet the new requirements. An expensive proposition either way.

Specifics can be found in the SOLAS documentation on the International Maritime Organization web site.

IMO came into existence in 1958, and was made responsible for ensuring that existing conventions (SOLAS 1948 for example) were kept up to date. It was also given the task of developing new conventions as and when the need arose.

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Originally posted by joe at travelpage:
Steve, let me know if this helps...

The SOLAS Convention in its successive forms is one of 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. After attempts at keeping exisitng conventions updated proved unsuccesful, a completely new Convention was adopted in 1974 and that, and its various amendments, is what is in force today.
Joe at TravelPage.com

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Originally posted by joe at travelpage:
In particular, according to paragraph 2.4 of Regulation 41-1, pre SOLAS 74 passenger ships shall comply with all the requirements of "chapter II-2" applicable to ships constructed on or after 25 May 1980 not later than 1 October 2010.

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However some of these deadlines are earlier than 1 October 2010.

For instance, sprinklers are going to be required on all ships (even those previously allowed not to have them, i.e. those built to SOLAS 60 Method I or SOLAS 74) from 2005 (don't remember the exact date).

There is also a debate as to whether ANY older ships are actually exempt, because of just what testing will determine materials to be non-combustible, i.e. if materials from pre-1980 that were certified to be non-combustible under the regulations of the time are going to automatically be certified as such by today's standards.

I have found the IMO site to be totally useless as far as investigating such things, as it doesn't actually tell you WHAT the requirements are, rather just what date that they were revised. It doesn't even say when many of them come into effect.

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Originally posted by cruiseny:

However some of these deadlines are earlier than 1 October 2010.

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Absolutely, but that't not what Steve asked.

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Originally posted by cruiseny:

If I may ask, where did you find your information?

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I have a complete copy of SOLAS.

I also found a number of sites with helpful USCG documents to help put requirements into perspective.

Your reply involved a huge amount of research, and I am extremely grateful for your efforts.

CGT

[ 05-27-2003: Message edited by: CGT ]

The bigger issue is what is behind it. That surface must adhere to ever increasing fire resistance standards which vary depending on whether the wood is mounted on a wall, door, partition, etc.

The Disney ships and a number of other modern ships still use wood veneer as part of the decor because they were designed with the new regulations in mind and meet the standards defined in SOLAS.

From SOLAS II-2, Regulartion 3.4

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``B'' class divisions are those divisions formed by bulkheads, decks, ceiling or linings which comply with the following:

.1 they shall be so constructed as to be capable of preventing the passage of flame to the end of the first half hour of the standard fire test;

.2 they shall have an insulation value such that the average temperature of the unexposed side will not rise more than 1408C above the original temperature, nor will the temperature at any one point, including any joint, rise more than 2258C above the original temperature, within the time listed below:

class ``B-15'' 15 min
class ``B-0'' 0 min

.3 they shall be constructed of approved non-combustible materials and all materials entering into the construction and erection of ``B'' class divisions shall be non-combustible, with the exception that combustible veneers may be permitted provided they meet other requirements of this chapter;

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More details for the SOLAS junkies, from Regulation 34:

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5 Veneers used on surfaces and linings covered by the requirements of paragraph 3 shall have a calorific value not exceeding 45 MJ/m2 of the area for the thickness used.

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In theory, the older ships like the Rotterdam, could still use the original wood if it was made thinner and the walls behind it were replaced with modern materials. Unfortunately, making that happen is a price no cruise line is willing to pay.

What about Enchanted Isle, I know she needs a sprinkler system and her steam turbines are fuel guzzlers, but she has a special Jones Act exemption which makes her a very unique ship for, say, NCL America or anyone wishing to compete with them. Does anbody think she may have a chance?

This business of bringing vintage liners (like Rembrandt) up to code rsounds a lot like what was done to the White House in the late 1940's. The building was near collapse, but because of the historical value it was not replaced with a new building, it was gutted to the bare stone walls, the innerds were replaced with a modern steel cage, and the old wall coverings, doors, trim, etc. were reinstalled to give the appearance that nothing had been changed.

I was also thinking later of the wooden doors that lead out on to open decks. I guess those will be still be allowed then, too. Good.

Because we live in the age of the airline and people don't feel connected to things like ships (or trains even). Ships are not something people have any connection with anymore. Courthouses, main streets, are things that people have connections with in their everday lives.

CGT

[ 05-27-2003: Message edited by: CGT ]

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Originally posted by Britanis:
would think that ... The Emerald, ...could be upgraded relatively easily to pass the new regs, and some in that list may pass as-is.

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Keep in mind the Pacific Sky at aged 19 where they found that watertight bulkheads had corroded away from the shell. That pix from the QE2 with an overboard connection only 15 years old. That sort of thing is not uncommon to find when a PROPER survey is carried out.

Most of them wouldn't even be worth it.