Question: What are the major changes to the SOLAS regulations that will be put into effect in 2010? I'd imagine the changes must be significant, as they are forcing some of the older ships into retirement. Also, when were the last major updates to the SOLAS regulations?
(courtesy of Rego007)
Answer: 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 brough 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.
Specifics can be found in the SOLAS documentation on the International Maritime Organization web site - click here.
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.
(courtesy of Joe Koshuta)