International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974

SOLAS 1974 is the consolidated text that replaced the earlier 1914, 1929, 1948, and 1960 conventions and introduced the tacit acceptance amendment procedure so the convention could keep pace with technical change. It applies to ships engaged on international voyages and sets minimum standards by chapter. The 1974 convention entered into force on 25 May 1980; its 1978 and 1988 Protocols added survey and certification reforms.