Nautical Term: SOLAS
Definition of SOLAS
The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, commonly referred to as SOLAS, is an international maritime safety treaty. First adopted in 1914, it was amended numerous times. For instance, following the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912, an amendment to SOLAS was adopted in 1914, requiring lifeboats for all passengers and crew on board. SOLAS sets minimum safety standards in construction, equipment, and operation of ships. It is enforced by governments and recognized organizations, and compliance is mandatory for ships flying the flag of a party to SOLAS.
Example:
In a tragic incident in January 2022, the MV Sun Sea, a cargo ship sailing from Sri Lanka to Canada, sank in the Indian Ocean due to a combination of overloading, poorly maintained engines, and severe weather conditions. The incident resulted in the loss of all 153 passengers and 25 crew members on board. The shipping industry, governments, and international organizations immediately took steps to investigate the cause of the incident and to improve safety measures and regulations in the maritime industry.
In this tragic incident,
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