SOLAS 74 (International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974), lays
down minimum standards for the safe construction of ships and for the basic safety
equipment (e.g. fire prevention, navigational, life saving and radio) to be carried on board.
SOLAS also contains operational instructions, particularly on emergency procedures,
and provides for regular surveys and for the issue of certificates of compliance.
MARPOL 73/78 (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from
Ships) as amended, contains measures designed to prevent pollution caused both
accidentally and in the course of routine operations. Six annexes in the Convention cover,
respectively, pollution by oil, noxious liquid substances in bulk, harmful substances carried
in packaged forms, sewage and garbage, air pollution from ships. The International Bulk
Chemical and the Bulk Chemical Codes are mandatory under MARPOL 73/78.
COLREG (Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions
at Sea, 1972), lays down the basic "rules of the road", such as rights of way, safe speed,
action to avoid collision, procedures to observe in narrow channels and in restricted
visibility.
International Convention on Load Lines, 1966 sets the minimum permissible
freeboard, according to the season of the year and the trading area of the ship; special ship
construction standards arc laid down in regard to watertightness.
ILO Convention 147 (Merchant Shipping /Minimum Standards/ Convention
1976) requires Administrations to have effective legislation on safe manning standards,
hours of work, seafarers' competency, and social security. It also sets employment
standards equivalent to those contained in a range of ILO instruments (covering e.g.,
minimum age, medical care and examination, social security, training).
STCW (International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and
Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978) lays down training, certification and qualification
requirements including syllabuses and sea time for senior officers; all officers in charge of
watches in the deck, engine and radio departments; and ratings forming part of a watch. All
such seafarers are required to have a certificate, endorsed in a uniform manner. It also
specifies basic principles to be observed in keeping deck and engine watches and special
qualification requirements for personnel on oil, chemical and liquefied gas tankers.
