1.3 SOLAS (Challenge Questions)

Question 1

List the information required to be sent by the master in a danger message relating to ice, derelict and other navigational dangers. (Hint: refer to Regulation 32 in Solas Chapter V)

Answer 1

As per SOLAS Chap V Reg 32:

The following information is required in danger messages:

Ice, derelicts and other direct dangers to navigation:
- The kind of ice, derelict or danger observed.
- The position of the ice, derelict or danger when last observed.
- The time and date (Universal Co-ordinated Time) when the danger was last observed.

Subsequent observations

3. When a master has reported a tropical cyclone or other dangerous storm, it is desirable, but not obligatory, that further observations be made and transmitted hourly, if practicable, but in any case at intervals of not more than 3 hours, so long as the ship remains under the influence of the storm.

• Winds of force 10 or above on the Beaufort scale for which no storm warning has been received. This is intended to deal with storms other than the tropical cyclones referred to in paragraph 2; when such a storm is encountered, the message should contain similar information to that listed under the paragraph but excluding the details concerning sea and swell.
• Sub-freezing air temperatures associated with gale force winds causing severe ice accretion on superstructures:

.1 Time and date (Universal Co-ordinated Time).

.2 Air temperature.

.3 Sea temperature (if practicable).

.4 Wind force and direction.

Question 2

List the information required to be sent by the master in a danger message relating to tropical cyclones (storms).

Answer 2

As per SOLAS Chap V Reg 32:

Tropical cyclones (storms):

• A statement that a tropical cyclone has been encountered. This obligation should be interpreted in a broad spirit, and information transmitted whenever the master has good reason to believe that a tropical cyclone is developing or exists in the neighbourhood.
• Time, date (Universal Co-ordinated Time) and position of ship when the observation was taken.
• As much of the following information as is practicable should be included in the message:

barometric pressure,** preferably corrected (stating millibars, millimetres, or inches, and whether corrected or uncorrected);
barometric tendency (the change in barometric pressure during the past three hours);
true wind direction;
wind force (Beaufort scale);
state of the sea (smooth, moderate, rough, high);
swell (slight, moderate, heavy) and the true direction from which it comes. Period or length of swell (short, average, long) would also be of value;
true course and speed of ship.

Subsequent observations

• When a master has reported a tropical cyclone or other dangerous storm, it is desirable, but not obligatory, that further observations be made and transmitted hourly, if practicable, but in any case at intervals of not more than 3 hours, so long as the ship remains under the influence of the storm.
• Winds of force 10 or above on the Beaufort scale for which no storm warning has been received. This is intended to deal with storms other than the tropical cyclones referred to in paragraph 2; when such a storm is encountered, the message should contain similar information to that listed under the paragraph but excluding the details concerning sea and swell.
• Sub-freezing air temperatures associated with gale force winds causing severe ice accretion on superstructures:

.1 Time and date (Universal Co-ordinated Time).

.2 Air temperature.

.3 Sea temperature (if practicable).

.4 Wind force and direction.

Question 3

When is the Master of a ship released from the obligation to render assistance?

Answer 3

As per SOLAS Chap V Reg 33 Paragraph 3 & 4:

Masters of ships shall be released from the obligation imposed by paragraph 1 on learning that their ships have not been requisitioned and that one or more other ships have been requisitioned and are complying with the requisition. This decision shall, if possible, be communicated to the other requisitioned ships and to the search and rescue service.

The Master of a ship shall be released from the obligation imposed by paragraph 1 and, if his ship has been requisitioned, from the obligation imposed by paragraph 2 on being informed by the persons in distress or by the search and rescue service or by the master of another ship which has reached such persons that assistance is no longer necessary.

Question 4

Can the ship crew mistreat the persons recovered from distress?

Answer 4

As per Resolution MSC.167(78):

Shipmasters should do everything possible, within the capabilities and limitations of the ship, to treat the survivors humanely and to meet their immediate needs.

Question 5

Which certificates do these forms refer to- Form P, Form E, Form R and Form C?
(Hint: see SOLAS Appendix-Certificates)

Answer 5

Form P - Passenger Ship Safety Certificate
Form E - Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate
Form R - Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate
Form C - Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate

Question 6

Which size of vessels are required to be fitted with a Rate Of Turn Indicator (ROTI)?

Answer 6

As per SOLAS Chap V Reg 19 Paragraph 2.9:

All ships of 50,000 gross tonnage and upwards shall, in addition to meeting the requirements of paragraph 2.8

Question 7

Describe the requirements for the testing of the ship’s steering gear before departure.
(Hint: see SOLAS Ch V> Regulation 26)

Answer 7

As per SOLAS Chapt V Reg 26:

1 Within 12 hours before departure, the ship’s steering gear shall be checked and tested by the ship’s crew. The test procedure shall include, where applicable, the operation of the following:
- the main steering gear
- the auxiliary steering gear
- the remote steering gear control systems
- the steering positions located on the navigation bridge
- the emergency power supply
- the rudder angle indicators in relation to the actual position of the rudder
- the remote steering gear control system power failure alarms
- the steering gear power unit failure alarms
- automatic isolating arrangements and other automatic equipment.

Question 8

Describe the requirements for the display of operating instructions and change-over procedures for remote steering gear control and steering gear power units.

Answer 8

As per SOLAS Chapt V Reg 26 Paragraph 3.1:

Simple operating instructions with a block diagram showing the change-over procedures for remote steering gear control systems and steering gear power units shall be permanently displayed on the navigation bridge and in the steering compartment.