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What Are SOLAS Requirements for Boats?

SOLAS refers to Safety of Life at Sea, and the SOLAS Convention was adopted in response to the Titanic’s sinking. SOLAS represents the primary safety treaty for international merchant ships, and the requirements it sets are intended to make our waterways safer for those who travel by sea. The boating professionals at NextGen Marine are committed to providing quality services and parts that meet or exceed all applicable safety requirements for every valued customer we serve.

SOLAS’s Application

The SOLAS convention applies to all cargo ships that carry at least 500 gross tonnage and to all passenger ships that engage in international voyages. Each of the following codes apply:

These codes set the minimum safety standards for how watercraft are built, equipped, and operated, and they include specific requirements in relation to each of the following:

Requirements Related to Construction

A primary concern when it comes to safety on the water is the construction of the vessel itself. SOLAS requires that passenger boats be subdivided into watertight compartments that allow the craft to remain stabilized and afloat on the water even if the hull has been damaged. Another element of construction is fire protection, detection, and extinction, which addresses both thermal and structural boundaries and calls for the kind of professional insulation solutions that NextGen Marine provides.

Requirements Related to Radiocommunications

Large passenger and cargo ships have important radiocommunication requirements that include a Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). This additional method of communication between the vessel and shore is intended to facilitate more effective rescues when accidents occur.

Requirements Related to Life Saving Devices

All watercraft at sea are required to carry a specific number of specific life saving devices that are based on each vessel’s size, including:

Requirements Related to Navigation Devices

Every ship on every sea voyage is required to have specific navigation devices that are designed to ensure safer water travel, including:

This chapter of SOLAS is intended to ensure that each watercraft is well prepared to handle whatever it encounters at sea.

Improving Boat Safety since 2016

Since 2016, NextGen Marine has been improving boat safety through trusted services and workmanship that exceed accepted standards. Because your safety on the water is paramount, we are committed to providing high-quality professional installs using parts that are always SOLAS compliant. To learn more about how we can help, please don’t wait to contact us online or call 954-789-3665 today.

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