Overview of SOLAS Chapter III
SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) Chapter III, "Life-Saving Appliances and Arrangements," sets minimum safety standards for all commercial vessels engaged on international voyages. The chapter was significantly revised in 1983 and updated multiple times since, with key amendments entering into force in 2020 and 2023. It works alongside Chapter II-2 (fire protection), and together these two chapters define the core safety equipment a vessel must carry to pass Port State Control.
Chapter III applies to vessels of 500 GT and above on international voyages, with modified requirements for smaller vessels and those on restricted coastal trade. Equipment must be type-approved, correctly stowed for immediate access, and maintained on a documented schedule.
Key Equipment Categories Under SOLAS Chapter III
Regulation 7: Personal Life-Saving Appliances
- Lifejackets: SOLAS-compliant, one per person plus 10% reserve. Type I (offshore) or Type II (nearshore). Must be stowed for immediate access.
- Immersion Suits: One per person for vessels in cold waters. Donning time maximum 2 minutes.
- Lifebuoys: Based on ship length — 8 required for vessels 100–150m; up to 12 for vessels over 300m. 50% must carry self-igniting lights. At least 2 must be equipped with self-activating smoke signals.
Regulation 17–20: Survival Craft
- Cargo Ships: Minimum one totally enclosed lifeboat capable of carrying all persons on board, plus liferafts with a total capacity of 100% of persons on each side. Alternatively, two totally enclosed lifeboats — one on each side.
- Passenger Ships: Liferaft capacity for 25% of persons on each side, with lifeboat capacity for 100% total.
- Free-fall Lifeboats: Permitted alternative for certain cargo ship types, especially bulk carriers and tankers.
Regulation 32–33: Distress Signals
- 12 parachute rocket flares (SOLAS approved)
- 6 hand flares per lifeboat/liferaft
- 2 buoyant smoke signals per rescue boat
- Expiry date must be within 3 years from manufacture, replace annually in high-risk regions
Launching Appliances (Regulations 13–16)
Survival craft are only effective if they can be launched safely under real conditions. SOLAS requires that lifeboats and rescue boats be served by approved davits and winches capable of launching with the vessel listed up to 20° and trimmed up to 10°. Key points:
- On-load and off-load release gear must comply with the revised LSA Code (the 2014 amendments tightened release-hook design after a series of accidents).
- Lifeboat winch brakes, falls (wire ropes) and release gear must be examined annually and operationally tested.
- Rescue boats must be capable of launch and recovery within prescribed times; recovery of a single person from the water should be possible.
SOLAS Lifeboat Equipment Inventory (LSA Code)
One of the most frequent Port State Control questions is what a lifeboat must contain. The full inventory is set by the International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code, Chapter IV, and every totally enclosed lifeboat on a SOLAS vessel must carry it. The standard equipment list is:
- Sufficient buoyant oars to make headway in calm seas, plus two boat-hooks
- A buoyant bailer and two buckets
- A survival manual and a copy of the life-saving signals on a waterproof card
- An efficient compass, luminous or with suitable illumination, in a binnacle
- A sea anchor with a shock-resistant hawser and a tripping line
- Two painters of sufficient length, one attached to a quick-release device
- Two hatchets, one at each end of the lifeboat
- Watertight receptacles holding 3 litres of fresh water per person (1 litre may be replaced by an approved desalting apparatus producing the equivalent in two days)
- A rustproof dipper with a lanyard and a rustproof graduated drinking vessel
- A food ration totalling not less than 10,000 kJ per person, kept in airtight packaging
- Four rocket parachute flares, six hand flares and two buoyant smoke signals
- A waterproof electric torch suitable for Morse signalling, with spare batteries and bulb
- A daylight signalling mirror with instructions and a whistle or equivalent sound signal
- A first-aid kit in a waterproof case, plus anti-seasickness medicine for at least 48 hours and one seasickness bag per person
- A jack-knife with a lanyard and three tin-openers
- Two buoyant rescue quoits, each on at least 30 m of buoyant line
- A manual pump, fishing tackle and a set of tools for minor engine adjustments
- A portable fire extinguisher suitable for oil fires and a searchlight
- An efficient radar reflector and thermal protective aids for 10% of persons or two, whichever is greater
Items must be secured, in date and listed on the lifeboat equipment checklist that is verified at the monthly LSA inspection.
Rescue Boat Equipment List
A rescue boat is a separate requirement from the lifeboat — its job is to recover a person from the water and marshal liferafts. SOLAS-compliant rescue boats (LSA Code Chapter V) carry a lighter, recovery-focused inventory:
- Sufficient buoyant oars or paddles with rowlocks, plus a buoyant bailer and two sponges
- A binnacle containing an efficient luminous or illuminated compass
- A sea anchor with a tripping line and a hawser of adequate strength
- A painter and a buoyant towline with a floating grab line secured around the boat
- A waterproof electric torch suitable for Morse signalling, with spare batteries and bulb, and a whistle
- A first-aid kit in a waterproof case
- Two buoyant rescue quoits, each on at least 30 m of buoyant line
- A safety knife (for inflated rescue boats, a non-sparking, blunt-tipped knife) and a survival manual
- A searchlight capable of working continuously for three hours and thermal protective aids for 10% of persons or two, whichever is greater
- Resuscitation equipment and a means of recovery suited to lifting an injured or exhausted person from the water
Fast rescue boats carried on certain ro-ro passenger ships have additional requirements, including a fixed or portable VHF and a means of towing a liferaft loaded with its full complement.
Liferaft Survival Pack: SOLAS A-Pack vs B-Pack
Every inflatable liferaft is supplied with an emergency pack stowed inside. SOLAS recognises two pack grades, and which one a vessel needs depends on its voyage:
- SOLAS A-Pack — required for unrestricted and long international voyages. It holds the full inventory: a buoyant rescue quoit on 30 m of line, a safety knife, bailers and sponges, two sea anchors, two paddles, a repair outfit and pump, three tin-openers, a first-aid kit, a whistle, four rocket parachute flares, six hand flares and two buoyant smoke signals, a waterproof torch, a daylight signalling mirror, anti-seasickness medicine (48 hours) with one bag per person, a drinking vessel, thermal protective aids, a food ration of not less than 10,000 kJ per person and 1.5 litres of fresh water per person.
- SOLAS B-Pack — permitted for short international voyages where rescue is expected within a limited period. It carries a reduced inventory: fewer pyrotechnics and no food ration, no fresh-water provision and no fishing tackle. The life-saving essentials (knife, bailer, sea anchor, first-aid kit, signalling means) are retained.
The pack grade is marked on the liferaft container together with the next service date. Always confirm the correct pack for the ship's trading area before a Safety Equipment survey.
EPIRB and SART Requirements
Since 1999, all SOLAS vessels are required to carry:
- One 406 MHz float-free EPIRB, registered with national authority (MMSI and vessel details). Must be tested annually; replace battery per manufacturer schedule (typically every 5 years).
- Two Search and Rescue Transponders (SART) or equivalent AIS-SARTs — one for each survival craft on each side of the vessel.
The EPIRB's hydrostatic release unit (HRU) must be replaced on its expiry date — an overdue HRU is one of the most frequent Port State Control findings.
AIS, GMDSS and the Safety Equipment Survey
Radio and navigation safety equipment is verified under SOLAS Chapter IV (GMDSS) and Chapter V, and inspected during the Safety Equipment and Safety Radio surveys.
- AIS: An Automatic Identification System is mandatory under SOLAS Regulation V/19 for all ships of 300 GT and above on international voyages, cargo ships of 500 GT and above not on international voyages, and all passenger ships irrespective of size. It must be in operation at all times except where international agreements permit protection of navigational information.
- GMDSS: Radio fit depends on the sea area (A1 to A4) in which the ship trades — VHF DSC, MF/HF DSC, satellite (Inmarsat or equivalent), NAVTEX, the EPIRB and SART above, and at least three two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatus for survival craft on cargo ships of 500 GT and above.
- Safety Equipment Survey: Cargo ships are issued a Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate after an initial survey, then subjected to periodical and annual surveys under the Harmonized System of Survey and Certification. The survey verifies life-saving appliances, fire protection, navigation and signalling equipment; the certificate is normally valid for five years with intermediate verification.
Fire Safety Equipment (SOLAS Chapter II-2)
Life-saving appliances are only half of a vessel's safety outfit. SOLAS Chapter II-2 governs fire protection, detection and extinction, and PSC inspectors check it as closely as Chapter III. Core requirements include:
- Portable extinguishers: Located in accommodation, machinery and service spaces. Each type (CO₂, foam, dry powder) suited to the risk in that space.
- Fixed fire-fighting systems: Machinery spaces require a fixed system — CO₂, high-expansion foam, or water mist. Engine rooms also need a fixed local application system for high-risk components.
- Fire detection and alarm: Automatic detectors and manual call points across accommodation, service and machinery spaces, with a central indicating panel on the bridge.
- Fireman's outfits: Including self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), fire-resistant clothing, lifeline and safety lamp — minimum two outfits, more on larger and passenger ships.
- EEBDs (Emergency Escape Breathing Devices): Provided in accommodation and machinery spaces to allow escape from a smoke-filled compartment.
- Fire pumps, hydrants, hoses and the International Shore Connection, plus posted fire control plans at access points.
Fireman's Outfit Composition and SCBA Duration
Under the Fire Safety Systems (FSS) Code, each fireman's outfit comprises two parts:
- Personal equipment: protective clothing that shields the skin from radiant heat and from burns and scalding by steam, boots and gloves of electrically non-conductive material, a rigid helmet, an electric safety lamp with a minimum burning period of three hours, and a fire axe with an insulated handle.
- Breathing apparatus: a self-contained compressed-air SCBA with a capacity of at least 1,200 litres of free air (approximately 30 minutes of duration), with spare charged cylinders.
Cargo ships carry at least two fireman's outfits; tankers, passenger ships and larger vessels carry more, scaled by length and accommodation. A common misconception is that SOLAS sets a "donning time" for the fireman's outfit — it does not. The two-minute donning requirement applies to immersion suits, not fireman's outfits. Fireman's outfits must instead be stored ready for immediate use in clearly marked, widely separated locations so a team can equip without delay.
Maintenance and Inspection Intervals
SOLAS Regulation III/20 and the associated maintenance guidelines (MSC.1/Circ.1432, as amended) require a documented schedule. A typical regime:
| Interval | Checks |
|---|
| Weekly | Visual inspection of all survival craft, launching appliances and EPIRB; lifeboat engine run; alarm and lighting test. |
| Monthly | LSA checklist completed and logged; lifeboat lowered to embarkation deck where practicable; flare and first-aid inventory check. |
| Annual | Liferaft servicing at an approved station; HRU and release-gear inspection; EPIRB battery and self-test; davit winch brake test. |
| 5-yearly | Lifeboat falls renewed/turned end-for-end (or earlier if required); load test of launching appliances. |
Crew Training and Drills (Regulation 19)
Equipment alone does not satisfy SOLAS — the crew must be drilled to use it. Requirements include:
- Abandon-ship and fire drills: Each crew member participates monthly; on passenger ships a muster is held before or immediately after departure.
- On-board training and instructions: A SOLAS training manual and maintenance instructions must be available in the working language of the crew.
- Drill records, including dates and equipment used, must be logged and are reviewed during PSC inspections.
Passenger Ships vs Cargo Ships: SOLAS Differences at a Glance
Although both ship types follow the same chapters, several Chapter III obligations are stricter for passenger ships because of the number of untrained people aboard:
| Requirement | Cargo Ships | Passenger Ships |
|---|
| Survival craft | Lifeboat capacity for 100% of persons; liferafts 100% each side (or two lifeboats) | Lifeboats for 100%; liferafts for an additional 25% on each side |
| Child & infant lifejackets | Not normally required | Required in addition to adult jackets, sized to the expected passenger profile |
| Musters and drills | Monthly abandon-ship and fire drills for the crew | Crew drills plus a passenger muster before or shortly after departure |
| Survival craft access | Crew familiar with stations | Clear marking, lighting and signage for passengers; assembly stations identified |
| Public address & alarm | General alarm | General emergency alarm plus a public address system audible throughout |
Recent SOLAS Amendments to Note
- Updated hydrostatic release unit (HRU) performance standards (MSC.1/Circ.1612)
- Revised liferaft servicing intervals for certain compact units
- New requirements for MOB (Man Overboard) systems on passenger vessels
- Updated EPIRB registration database requirements
Port State Control and Non-Compliance Consequences
PSC inspectors focus heavily on LSA and fire safety during port calls. The most common deficiencies leading to detention include:
- Expired pyrotechnics (most common — replace at least 12 months before expiry)
- Overdue liferaft servicing
- Non-functional EPIRB (failed hydrostatic release test or dead battery)
- Insufficient number of lifejackets (including child lifejackets for passenger vessels)
- Blocked access to survival craft
- Discharged or out-of-date fire extinguishers and untested fixed systems
SOLAS Safety Equipment Compliance Checklist
Use this quick pre-inspection checklist before a port call:
- Lifejackets: count correct (crew + 10% + child jackets for passenger ships), lights working
- Immersion suits / liferafts: count and servicing date valid
- Pyrotechnics: in date (replace at least 12 months before expiry)
- EPIRB: registered, self-test passed, HRU and battery in date
- SART / AIS-SART: tested, batteries in date
- Lifeboat/rescue boat: engine starts, release gear and falls inspected, equipment inventory complete
- Fire extinguishers, fixed systems and detectors: serviced and tagged
- Fireman's outfits and EEBDs: complete, SCBA charged
- Drill records and training manual: up to date and available
Frequently Asked Questions
What equipment must a SOLAS lifeboat carry?
A totally enclosed lifeboat must carry the full LSA Code inventory: buoyant oars and boat-hooks, a bailer and buckets, a compass and sea anchor, painters and hatchets, 3 litres of fresh water per person, a food ration of at least 10,000 kJ per person, four rocket parachute flares, six hand flares and two buoyant smoke signals, a waterproof torch, a first-aid kit, a jack-knife, three tin-openers, rescue quoits, a fire extinguisher, a searchlight, a radar reflector and thermal protective aids. The full list is checked at the monthly LSA inspection.
What are the SOLAS requirements for rescue boat equipment?
A rescue boat carries a recovery-focused inventory: buoyant oars or paddles, a bailer and sponges, an illuminated compass, a sea anchor with hawser and tripping line, a painter and buoyant towline, a waterproof Morse torch, a whistle, a first-aid kit, two buoyant rescue quoits on 30 m of line, a safety knife, a searchlight, thermal protective aids and resuscitation equipment with a means of recovering a person from the water.
What is the difference between a SOLAS A-pack and B-pack liferaft?
The A-pack is for unrestricted and long international voyages and contains the full inventory, including a food ration, 1.5 litres of fresh water per person and four parachute flares. The B-pack is for short international voyages and carries a reduced inventory with fewer pyrotechnics and no food or water ration.
What are the SOLAS lifeboat and liferaft requirements for a cargo ship?
A cargo ship needs either one totally enclosed lifeboat on each side, or one lifeboat capable of carrying all persons plus liferafts with 100% capacity on each side. Each survival craft must be served by approved launching appliances and carry its full equipment inventory.
Does SOLAS set a donning time for the fireman's outfit?
No. SOLAS sets a two-minute donning time for immersion suits, not for fireman's outfits. Fireman's outfits must simply be stored ready for immediate use in clearly marked, widely separated locations. Each outfit includes protective clothing, boots and gloves, a rigid helmet, a safety lamp burning at least three hours, a fire axe and an SCBA holding at least 1,200 litres of free air.
What are the SOLAS AIS requirements?
An AIS is mandatory for all ships of 300 GT and above on international voyages, cargo ships of 500 GT and above not on international voyages, and all passenger ships regardless of size. It must remain in operation at all times except where an international agreement permits protecting navigational information.
How often must liferafts be serviced under SOLAS?
Annually at an approved service station. The service due date is stamped on the liferaft container and must not be exceeded. Some compact liferafts qualify for 30-month service intervals — verify with the manufacturer.
Does SOLAS Chapter III apply to vessels under 500 GT?
Chapter III applies in full to vessels of 500 GT and above on international voyages. Smaller vessels and those on restricted coastal trade follow modified national requirements, but the core LSA principles still apply.
What is the difference between an EPIRB and a SART?
An EPIRB transmits a distress alert with the vessel's identity and position via satellite (406 MHz). A SART is a radar transponder that helps rescuers home in on a survival craft at close range. SOLAS vessels carry both.
How often are abandon-ship and fire drills required?
Each crew member must take part in an abandon-ship drill and a fire drill every month. Passenger ships hold a passenger muster before or shortly after departure.
What are the most common Port State Control deficiencies?
Expired pyrotechnics, overdue liferaft servicing, non-functional EPIRBs and discharged fire extinguishers top the list. Most are avoidable with a disciplined maintenance schedule.
Where can I purchase SOLAS-compliant safety equipment?
Only purchase from suppliers holding MED (Marine Equipment Directive in EU) or equivalent approval certificates. E-ShipSupply lists verified suppliers who provide product-level certificates with every order.
