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Topic: SOLARS question

bases5
First Class Passenger
Member # 3270

posted 06-22-2003 05:54 PM

Im not even sure if I abbr. is correct,but what I would like to know is
Does this effect all ships or just passenger Ships.
Also does it effect all ships around the world or just ones that stop at us ports.
Thanks

Posts: 13 | From: Ft Myers | Registered: Aug 2002 | IP: Logged

Onno
First Class Passenger
Member # 3071

posted 06-22-2003 06:47 PM

I assume you mean SOLAS, if I’m not mistaking it means “safety of live at sea”(Cruiseny do correct me if I’m wrong

) So it is not only for passenger ships or ships that enter US ports. If you search for Solas here on Cruise Talk you will find more about Solas and what it stands for, or there are other CT members who know more about Solas.

Best, Onno

Posts: 3583 | From: the Netherlands (Berenbotje ging uit varen...) | Registered: May 2002 | IP: Logged

gohaze
First Class Passenger
Member # 586

posted 06-22-2003 08:47 PM

Briefly...it is an International Convention, one of many, administered by a United Nations Agency called the Internatinal Maritime Organization which operates from London.

It covers all ships in International trade, and those in Domestic trade to the extent that their Governments wish.

Doug had a good description not long ago - Joe did too.
....peter

Posts: 1909 | From: Vancouver.BC | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

joe at travelpage
Administrator
Member # 622

posted 06-22-2003 10:48 PM

Here's a link to a previous discussion of SOLAS. Feel free to post a specific question.

Joe at TravelPage.com

Posts: 29976 | From: Great Falls, Virginia | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

cruiseny
First Class Passenger
Member # 2928

posted 06-22-2003 11:16 PM

And the other comprehensive explanation (the first being Joe's) is mine on this thread.

Wish Joe had done his before I did mine, it would have saved me a lot of trouble ...

Posts: 4730 | From: New York, USA | Registered: Mar 2002 | IP: Logged

cruiseny
First Class Passenger
Member # 2928

posted 06-22-2003 11:24 PM

quote:
Originally posted by gohaze:
it is an International Convention, one of many, administered by a United Nations Agency called the Internatinal Maritime Organization which operates from London.
It covers all ships in International trade

I think it's important to note that the while the IMO makes the laws, they can't enforce them. Generally there are two ways of enforcing SOLAS laws:

1. Flag states. They completely "farm out" inspections to classification societies who are paid by the shipowners. In general they do not enforce the laws very well, though some do much better than others (if you take a flag-of-convenience state like Liberia for instance, you could pretty much use anything that floats and nobody would care).
2. Port states. These are the people who do most of the enforcing. Port State Inspections are mostly done by the US and countries which agreed to the Paris or Tokyo Memoranda of Understanding on Port State Control (abbreviated Paris MoU or Tokyo MoU). Of course as always there is a big variation in enforcement, but this at least shows some attempt by SOMEBODY to enforce the law which is quite refreshing. In US and European countries the enforcement is generally quite strict; which is why people often think that SOLAS applies only to ships trading to or from US ports.

[ 06-22-2003: Message edited by: cruiseny ]

Posts: 4730 | From: New York, USA | Registered: Mar 2002 | IP: Logged

BTF
First Class Passenger
Member # 2024

posted 06-23-2003 12:05 AM

Under Port State Control (SOLAS enforcement), basically the Paris MoU cover the Atlantic trade while the Toyko MoU cover the Pacific countries. Several nations such as the United States and Canada which cover both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans adhere to both MoUs.

Canada also has quite stringent inspection standards and catches quite a number of substandard ships.

Cruise ships at least those of the major international cruise lines, are usually maintained to quite high standards of safety and maintenance and it is rare that an active cruise ship is detained under Port State Control. A notable exception was the recent Ocean Glory (ex Enrico C) which was caught by British PSC, detained, sold and eventually disposed of.

Posts: 287 | From: Ottawa, Ont. Canada | Registered: May 2001 | IP: Logged

gohaze
First Class Passenger
Member # 586

posted 06-23-2003 08:51 AM

Signataries to the Solas Conventions have always had the authority to detain vessels that do not comply with the provisions. i.e they are considered unseaworthy for some reason.

Canada began using Regulation 19 back in 1967, many years before the MOUs, although it was also possible to hold a ship under the Canada Shipping Act.

It was actually a quite simple process as the ship was told to correct the deficiencies to comply with it's Solas Certificate before it would be allowed to sail.

Over a period of time, that plus the very strict safety inspection of the ship's cargo gear here on the West Coast, stopped a lot of clunkers from coming.

....peter

Posts: 1909 | From: Vancouver.BC | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

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