The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) is one of the most important international maritime safety agreements. It requires all member states to ensure that ships flying their national flag are equipped with adequate life-saving appliances, emergency equipment, and safety arrangements to protect lives at sea during emergencies. Compliance with the convention is monitored by both Flag States and Port States. Flag States verify compliance by issuing the Safety Equipment Certificate and conducting regular surveys and inspections of their registered vessels. Port States further enforce these standards by inspecting foreign ships that visit their ports to ensure they meet SOLAS requirements.

To comply with SOLAS regulations, ships must satisfy several mandatory safety requirements. These include carrying approved life-saving appliances, maintaining updated muster lists, displaying emergency operating instructions, and providing reliable communication equipment to improve survival during emergencies. These measures are intended to safeguard everyone onboard by ensuring that emergency alarms can be activated promptly, crew members understand their responsibilities, and emergency equipment is readily available and operational whenever required.

The SOLAS Convention contains detailed provisions regarding life-saving appliances and arrangements. These requirements vary depending on the type and size of the vessel and include standards for lifeboats, rescue boats, life jackets, liferafts, launching arrangements, and other survival equipment. To support these requirements, the International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code establishes detailed technical specifications for all life-saving appliances. Under SOLAS Regulation 34, compliance with the LSA Code is mandatory, meaning that every life-saving appliance and arrangement installed onboard must meet the applicable standards specified in the Code.