Vessel construction THE International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, or SOLAS, is the international framework that governs safety features and requirements for cruise ships. At the initial design stage, concepts and plans are developed in accordance with SOLAS safety requirements that govern details such as stability, materials,...
Vessel construction
THE International Convention for
the Safety of Life at Sea, or SOLAS,
is the international framework
that governs safety features and
requirements for cruise ships.
At the initial design stage,
concepts and plans are developed
in accordance with SOLAS safety
requirements that govern details
such as stability, materials, safety,
electrical and fire prevention.
Plans are reviewed by the ship’s
designated classification society
(that are independent inspectors)
before construction can begin.
During construction, cruise
ships are surveyed to ensure
that construction complies with
rigorous standards for structure,
stability, propulsion, electrical and
mechanical installations.
In the first year of a ship operating,
inspections by the classification
society are accelerated to ensure
compliance of International
Maritime Organisation (IMO)
requirements which includes
examining ship equipment and a
full audit of operational procedures.
The average ship undergoes
literally dozens of announced (and
unannounced) safety inspections
per year, involving hundreds of
man-hours and covering thousands
of specific requirements set by
the IMO which are also supported
through the cruise line’s country
of registration undertaking annual
inspections and crew members
participating in monthly fire and
emergency drills – all designed
with passenger safety as the cruise
industry’s #1 priority.
— Brett Jardine, GM, CLIA Australasia
