Chapter VIII (SOLAS)

SOLAS Chapter VIII, Nuclear Ships, governs merchant ships powered by nuclear reactors, requiring radiation-safety controls beyond the conventional-ship regime. It requires a Safety Assessment and an approved Operating Manual, mandates special control of radiological hazards, and subjects nuclear ships to enhanced survey and port-State acceptance. Regulation VIII/7 lets a port State refuse entry where the reactor or its safety record is judged an unacceptable risk. The chapter cross-refers to the Code of Safety for Nuclear Merchant Ships adopted by resolution A.491(XII). With no nuclear-powered merchant ships in current service, the chapter is dormant but remains in force.