SOLAS: International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 1975, as amended

There have been several successive versions of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), the earliest dating back as far as 1914. Its aim is to ensure the safety of ocean-going vessels and to prevent the loss of lives at sea. The current version was adopted by members of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 1975 and entered into force in 1980. It has been amended several times since then to keep its provisions up to date with changing vessel technology and the growth of global shipping. SOLAS sets out minimum safety standards for the construction, equipment, and operation of ships. Some of these provisions apply to all seagoing vessels, including private leisure craft. Others apply to specific types of ship, such as cargo ships, tankers, and passenger vessels. Fishing vessels are excluded from many (but not all) of the provisions. Responsibility for compliance with the safety standards lies with the flag states. SOLAS is a global convention that, at the time of writing in 2026, has 167 Parties. The main body responsible for the implementation of SOLAS is the IMO, headquartered in London, UK.