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SOLAS Chapter V – 1/7/02 SOLAS CHAPTER V 1 Unless expressly provided otherwise, this chapter shall apply to all ships on all voyages, except: .1 warships, naval auxiliaries and other ships owned or operated by a Contracting Government and used only on government non-commercial service; and .2 ships solely navigating the Great Lakes of North America and their connecting and tributary waters as far east as the lower exit of the St. Lambert Lock at Montreal in the Province of Quebec, Canada. However, warships, naval auxiliaries or other ships owned or operated by a Contracting Government and used only on government non-commercial service are encouraged to act in a manner consistent, so far as reasonable and practicable, with this chapter. 2 The Administration may decide to what extent this chapter shall apply to ships operating solely in waters landward of the baselines which are established in accordance with international law. 3 A rigidly connected composite unit of a pushing vessel and associated pushed vessel, when designed as a dedicated and integrated tug and barge combination, shall be regarded as a single ship for the purpose of this chapter. SOLAS Chapter V – 1/7/02 For the purpose of this chapter: Constructed in respect of a ship means a stage of construction where: .1 the keel is laid; or .2 construction identifiable with a specific ship begins; or .3 assembly of the ship has commenced comprising at least 50 tonnes or 1% of the estimated mass of all structural material whichever is less. Nautical chart nautical publication is a special-purpose map or book, or a specially compiled database from which such a map or book is derived, that is issued officially by or on the authority of a Government, authorized Hydrographic Office or other relevant government institution and is designed 1 The Administration may grant general exemptions to ships without mechanical means of propulsion from t he requirements of regulations 15, 17, 18, 19 (except 19.2.1.7), 20, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28. 2 The Administration may grant to individual ships exemptions or equivalents of a partial or conditional nature, when any such ship is engaged on a voyage where the maximum distance of the ship from the shore, the length and nature of the voyage, the absence of general navigational hazards, and other conditions affecting safety are such as to render the full application of this chapter unreasonable or unnecessary, provided that the Administration has taken into account the effect such exemptions and equivalents may have upon the safety of all other ships. REGULATION 4 - Navigational warnings Each Contracting Government shall take all steps necessary to ensure that, when intelligence of any dangers is received from whatever reliable source, it shall be promptly brought to the knowledge of those concerned and communicated to other interested Governments.* SOLAS Chapter V – 1/7/02 * Refer to the Guidance on the IMO/IHO World-Wide Navigational Warning Service adopted by the Organization by resolution A.706(17), as amended. 1 Contracting Governments undertake to encourage the collection of SOLAS Chapter V – 1/7/02 .7 when in the vicinity of a tropical cyclone, or of a suspected tropical cyclone, ships should be encouraged to take and transmit their observations at more frequent intervals whenever practicable, bearing in mind navigational preoccupations of ships' officers during storm conditions. .8 to arrange for the reception and transmission of weather messages from and to ships, using the appropriate shore-based facilities for terrestrial and space radiocommunications services. .9 to encourage masters to inform ships in the vicinity and also shore stations whenever they experience a wind speed of 50 knots or more (force 10 on the Beaufort scale). .10 to endeavour to obtain a uniform procedure in regard to the international meteorological services already specified, and as far as practicable, to conform to the technical regulations and SOLAS Chapter V – 1/7/02 limits of the region of icebergs in the vicinity of the Grand Banks of Newfoundland shall be guarded for the purpose of informing passing ships of the extent of this dangerous region; for the study of ice conditions in general; and for the purpose of affording assistance to ships and crews requiring aid within the limits of operation of the patrol ships and aircraft. During the rest of the year the study and observation of ice conditions shall be maintained as advisable. 3 Ships and aircraft used for the ice patrol service and the study and observation of ice conditions may be assigned other duties provided that such other duties do not interfere with the primary purpose or increase the cost of this service. 4 The Government of the United States of America agrees to continue the overall management of the ice patrol service and the study and observation of ice conditions, including the dissemination of information therefrom. 5 The terms and conditions governing the management, operation and 1 Each Contracting Government undertakes to ensure that necessary arrangements are made for distress communication and co-ordination in their area of responsibility and for the rescue of persons in distress at sea around its coasts. These arrangements shall include the establishment, operation and maintenance of such search and rescue facilities as are deemed practicable and necessary, having r egard to the density of the seagoing traffic and the navigational dangers and shall, so far as possible, provide adequate means of locating and rescuing such persons 2 Each Contracting Government undertakes to make available information to the Organization concerning its existing search and rescue facilities and the plans for changes therein, if any. 3 Passenger ships to which chapter I applies shall have on board a plan for co- operation with appropriate search and rescue services in event of an SOLAS Chapter V – 1/7/02 undertaken to test its effectiveness. The plan shall be developed based on the guidelines developed by the Organization. * Refer to the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue, 1979 and the following resolutions adopted by the Organization: Ho ming capability of sear ch and rescue (SAR) aircraft (resolution A.225(VII)); Use of radar transponders for search and rescue purposes (resolution A.530(13)); Search and rescue homing capability (resolution A.616(15)); and International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual (resolution A.894(21)). REGULATION 8 - Life-saving signals Contracting Governments undertake to arrange that life-saving signals are used by search and rescue facilities engaged in search and rescue operations when communicating with ships or persons in distress. Regulation 9 - Hydrographic services 1 Contracting Governments undertake to arrange for the collection and compilation of hydrographic data and the publication, dissemination and keeping up to date of all nautical information necessary for safe navigation. 2 In particular, Contracting Governments undertake to co-operate in carrying out, as far as possible, the following nautical and hydrographic services, in the manner most suitable for the purpose of aiding navigation: .1 to ensure that hydrographic surveying is carried out, as far as possible, adequate to the requirements of safe navigation; .2 to prepare and issue nautical charts, sailing directions, lists of lights, tide tables and other nautical publications, where applicable, satisfying the needs of safe navigation; .3 to promulgate notices to mariners in order that nautical charts and publications are kept, as far as possible, up to date; and .4 to provide data management arrangements to support these services. 3 Contracting Governments undertake to ensure the greatest possible uniformity in charts and nautical publications and to take into account, whenever possible, relevant international resolutions and recommendations .* 4 Contracting Governments undertake to co-ordinate their activities to the greatest possible degree in order to ensure that hydrographic and nautical information is made available on a world-wide scale as timely, reliably, and unambiguously as possible. * Refer to the appropriate resolutions and recommendations adopted by the International Hydrographic Organization. REGULATION 10 - Ships' routeing SOLAS Chapter V – 1/7/02 for, all ships, certain categories of ships or ships carrying certain cargoes, when adopted and implemented in accordance with the guidelines and criteria developed by the Organization.* 2 The Organization is recognized as the only international body for developing guidelines, criteria and regulations on an international level for ships' routeing systems. Contracting Governments shall refer proposals for the adoption of ships' routeing systems to the Organization. The Organization will collate and disseminate to Contracting Governments all relevant information with regard to any adopted ships' routeing systems. 3 The initiation of action for establis hing a ships' routeing system is the responsibility of the Government or Governments concerned. In developing such systems for adoption by the Organization, the guidelines and criteria developed by the Organization shall be taken into account. 4 Ships' routeing systems should be submitted to the Organization for adoption. However, a Government or Governments implementing ships' routeing systems not intended to be submitted to the Organization for adoption or which have not been adopted by the Organization are encouraged to take into account, wherever possible, the guidelines and criteria developed by the Organization.* 5 Where two or more Governments have a common interest in a particular area, they should formulate joint proposals for the delineation and use of a SOLAS Chapter V – 1/7/02 10 Nothing in this regulation nor its associated guidelines and criteria shall prejudice the rights and duties of Governments under international law or the legal regimes of straits used for international navigation and archipelagic sea Refer to the General Provisions on Ships' Routeing adopted by the Organization by resolution A.572(14)), as amended. REGULATION 11 - Ship reporting systems SOLAS Chapter V – 1/7/02 7 The master of a ship shall comply with the requirements of adopted ship reporting systems and report to the appropriate authority all information required in accordance with the provisions of each such system. 8 All adopted ship reporting systems and actions taken to enforce compliance with those systems shall be consistent with international law, including the relevant provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. 9 Nothing in this regulation or its associated guidelines and criteria shall prejudice the rights and duties of Governments under international law or the legal regimes of straits used for international navigation and archipelagic sea 10 The participation of ships in accordance with the provisions of adopted ship reporting systems shall be free of charge to the ships concerned. 11 The Organization shall ensure that adopted ship reporting systems are reviewed under the guidelines and criteria developed by the Organization. REGULATION 12 - Vessel traffic services 1 Vessel traffic services (VTS) contribute to safety of life at sea, safety and efficiency of navigation and protection of the marine environment, adjacent shore areas, work sites and offshore installations from possible adverse effects of maritime traffic. 2 Contracting Governments undertake to arrange for the establishment of VTS where, in their opinion, the volume of traffic or the degree of risk justifies such services. 3 Contracting Governments planning and implementing VTS shall, wherever possible, follow the guidelines developed by the Organization*. The use of VTS may only be made mandatory in sea areas within the territorial seas of a coastal State. 4 Contracting Governments shall endeavour to secure the participation in, and compliance with, the provisions of vessel traffic services by ships entitled to fly their flag. 5 Nothing in this regulation or the guidelines adopted by the Organization shall prejudice the rights and duties of Governments under international law or the legal regimes of straits used for international navigation and archipelagic sea * Refer to the Guidelines on Vessel Traffic Services adopted by the Organization by resolution A.857(20). REGULATION 13 - Establishment and operation of aids to navigation 1 Each Contracting Government undertakes to provide, as it deems practical and necessary either individually or in co-operation with other Contracting SOLAS Chapter V – 1/7/02 Governments, such aids to navigation as the volume of traffic justifies and the degree of risk requires. 2 In order to obtain the greatest possible uniformity in aids to navigation, Contracting Governments undertake to take into account the international recommendations and guidelines* when establishing such aids. 3 Contracting Governments undertake to arrange for information relating to aids to navigation to be made available to all concerned. Changes in the transmissions of position-fixing systems which could adversely affect the performance of receivers fitted in ship s shall be avoided as far as possible and only be effected after timely and adequate notice has been promulgated. * Refer to the appropriate recommendations and guidelines of IALA and SN/Circ.107 – Maritime Buoyage System. REGULATION 14 - Ships' manning 1 Contracting Governments undertake, each for its national ships, to maintain, or, if it is necessary, to adopt, measures for the purpose of ensuring that, SOLAS Chapter V – 1/7/02 REGULATION 15 - Principles relating to bridge design, design and arrangement of navigational systems and equipment and bridge procedures All decisions which are made for the purpose of applying the requirements of regulations 19, 22, 24, 25, 27 and 28 and which affect bridge design, the design and arrangement of navigational systems and equipment on the bridge and bridge procedures shall be taken with the aim of: .1 facilitating the tasks to be performed by the bridge team and the pilot in making full appraisal of the situation and in navigating the ship safely under all operational conditions; .2 promoting effective and safe bridge resource management; .3 enabling the bridge team and the pilot to have convenient and continuous access to essential information which is presented in a clear and unambiguous manner, using standardized symbols and coding systems for controls and displays; .4 indicating the operational status of automated functions and integrated components, systems and/or sub-systems; .5 allowing for expeditious, continuous and effective information processing and decision-making by the bridge team and the pilot; .6 preventing or minimizing excessive or unnecessary work and any conditions or distractions on the bridge which may cause fatigue or interfere with the vigilance of the bridge team and the pilot; and 1 The Administration shall be satisfied that adequate arrangements are in place to ensure that the performance of the equipment required by this chapter is maintained. 2 Except as provided in regulations I/7(b)(ii), I/8 and I/9, while all reasonable steps shall be taken to maintain the equipment required by this chapter in efficient working order, malfunctions of that equipment shall not be considered as making the ship unseaworthy or as a reason for delaying the ship in ports where repair facilities are not readily available, provided suitable arrangements are made by the master to take the inoperative equipment or unavailable information into account in planning and executing a safe voyage to a port where repairs can take place. SOLAS Chapter V – 1/7/02 1 Administrations shall ensure that all electrical and electronic equipment on the bridge or in the vicinity of the bridge, on ships constructed on or after 1 navigational systems and equipm ent and voyage data recorder SOLAS Chapter V – 1/7/02 6 Before giving approval to systems or equipment embodying new features not covered by this chapter, the Administration shall ensure that such features support functions at least as effective as those required by this chapter. 7 When equipment, for which performance standards have been developed by the Organization, is carried on ships in addition to those items of equipment required by regulations 19 and 20, such equipment shall be subject to approval and shall as far as practicable comply with performance standards not inferior to those adopted by the Organization. 8 The voyage data recorder system, incl uding all sensors, shall be subjected to an annual performance test. The test shall be conducted by an approved testing or servicing facility to verify the accuracy, duration and recoverability of the recorded data. In addition, tests and inspections shall be conducted to systems and equipment 1 Application and requirements Subject to the provisions of regulation 1.4: 1.1 Ships constructed on or after 1 July 2002 shall be fitted with navigational systems and equipment which will fulfil the requirements prescribed in paragraphs 2.1 to 2.9. 1.2 Ships constructed before 1 July 2002 shall: .1 subject to the provisions of paragraphs 1.2.2 and 1.2.3, unless they comply fully with this regulation, continue to be fitted with equipment which fulfils the requirements prescribed in regulations V/11, V/12 and V/20 of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 in force prior to 1 July 2002; .2 be fitted with the equipment or systems required in paragraph 2.1.6 not later than the first survey after 1 July 2002 at which time the radio direction-finding apparatus referred to in V/12 (p) of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 in force prior to 1 July 2002 shall no longer be required; and .3 be fitted with the system required in paragraph 2.4 not later than the dates specified in paragraphs 2.4.2 and 2.4.3. 2 Shipborne navigational equipment and systems 2.1 All ships irrespective of size shall have: SOLAS Chapter V – 1/7/02 .2 a pelorus or compass bearing device, or other means, independent of any power supply to take bearings over an arc of the horizon of 360°; .3 means of correcting heading and bearings to true at all times; .4 nautical charts and nautical publications to plan and display the ship’s route for the intended voyage and to plot and monitor positions throughout the voyage; an electronic chart display and information SOLAS Chapter V – 1/7/02 .4 speed and distance measuring device, or other means, to indicate speed and distance through the water; .5 a properly adjusted transmitting heading device, or other means to transmit heading information for input to the equipment referred to in paragraphs 2.3.2, 2.3.3 and 2.4. 2.4 All ships of 300 gross tonnage and upwards engaged on international voyages and cargo ships of 500 gross tonnage and upwards not engaged on international voyages and passenger ships irrespective of size shall be fitted with an automatic identification system (AIS), as follows: .1 ships constructed on or after 1 July 2002; .2 ships engaged on international voyages constructed before 1 July 2002: .2.1 in the case of passenger ships, not later than 1 July 2003; SOLAS Chapter V – 1/7/02 .2.4 in the case of ships, other than passenger ships and tankers, of 10,000 gross tonnage and upwards but less than 50,000 gross tonnage, not later than 1 July 2005; .2.5 in the case of ships, other than passenger ships and tankers, of 3,000 gross tonnage and upwards but less than 10,000 gross tonnage, not later than 1 July 2006. .2.6 in the case of ships, other than passenger ships and tankers, of 300 gross tonnage and upwards but less than 3,000 gross tonnage, not later than 1 July 2007; and .3 ships not engaged on international voyages constructed before 1 July 2002, not later than 1 July 2008; .4 the Administration may exempt ships from the application of the requirements of this paragraph when such ships will be taken permanently out of service within two years after the implementation date specified in subparagraphs .2 and .3; .5 AIS shall: .1 provide automatically to appropriately equipped shore stations, other ships and aircraft information, including the ship's identity, type, position, course, speed, navigational status and other safety-related information; .2 receive automatically such information from similarly fitted ships; .3 monitor and track ships; and .4 exchange data with shore-based facilities; .6 the requirements of paragraph 2.4.5 shall not be applied to cases where international agreements, rules or standards provide for the protection of navigational information; and .7 AIS shall be operated taking into account the guidelines adopted by the Organization. SOLAS Chapter V – 1/7/02 .5 an automatic tracking aid, or other means, to plot automatically the range SOLAS Chapter V – 1/7/02 ** Refer to resolution MSC.86(70), annex 3 - Performance standard for Integrated navigational systems. REGULATION 20 - Voyage data recorders 1 To assist in casualty investigations, ships, when engaged on international voyages, subject to the provisions of regulation 1.4, shall be fitted with a voyage data recorder (VDR) as follows: .1 passenger ships constructed on or after 1 July 2002; .2 ro-ro passenger ships constructed before 1 July 2002 not later than the first survey on or after 1 July 2002; .3 passenger ships other than ro-ro passenger ships constructed before 1 July 2002 not later than 1 January 2004; and .4 ships, other than passenger ships, of 3,000 gross tonnage and upwards constructed on or after 1 July 2002. 2 Administrations may exempt ships, other than ro-ro passenger ships, constructed before 1 July 2002 from being fitted with a VDR where it can be demonstrated that interfacing a VDR with the existing equipment on the ship is unreasonable and impracticable. REGULATION 21 - International Code of Signals All ships which, in accordance with the present Convention, are required to carry a radio installation shall carry the International Code of Signals as may be amended by the Organization. The Code shall also be carried by any other ship which, in the opinion of the Administration, has a need to use it. REGULATION 22 - Navigation bridge visibility 1 Ships of not less than 45 m in length as defined in regulation III/3.12, SOLAS Chapter V – 1/7/02 .4 From each bridge wing the horizontal field of vision shall extend over an arc at least 225°, that is from at least 45° on the opposite bow through right ahead and then from right ahead to right astern through 180° on the same side of the ship; .5 From the main steering position the horizontal field of vision shall extend over an arc from right ahead to at least 60° on each side of the ship; .6 The ship's side shall be visible from the bridge wing; .7 The height of the lower edge of the navigation bridge front windows above the bridge deck shall be kept as low as possible. In no case shall the lower edge present an obstruction to the forward view as described in this regulation; .8 The upper edge of the navigation bridge front windows shall allow a forward view of the horizon, for a person with a height of eye of 1,800 mm above the bridge deck at the conning position, when the ship is pitching in heavy seas. The Administration, if satisfied that a 1,800 mm height of eye is unreasonable and impractical, may allow reduction of the height of eye but not less than 1,600 mm; 1 Application 1.1 Ships engaged on voyages in the course of which pilots are likely to be employed shall be provided with pilot transfer arrangements. 1.2 Equipment and arrangements for pilot transfer which are installed on or after 1 January 1994 shall comply with the requirements of this regulation, and due regard shall be paid to the standards adopted by the Organization*. SOLAS Chapter V – 1/7/02 1.3 Equipments and arrangements for pilot transfer which are provided on ships before 1 January 1994 shall at least comply with the requirements of SOLAS Chapter V – 1/7/02 and for an adverse list of 15°; the securing strong point, shackles and securing ropes shall be at least as strong as the side ropes; .2 an accommodation ladder in conjunction with the pilot ladder, or other equally safe and convenient means, whenever the distance from the surface of the water to the point of access to the ship is more than 9 m. The accommodation ladder shall be sited leading aft. When in use, the lower end of the accommodation ladder shall rest firmly against the ship's side within the parallel body length of the ship and, as far as is practicable, within the mid-ship half length and clear of all discharges; or .3 a mechanical pilot hoist so located that it is within the parallel body length of the ship and, as far as is practicable, within the mid-ship half length of the ship and clear of all discharges. 4 Access to the ship's deck 4.1 Means shall be provided to ensure safe, convenient and unobstructed passage for any person embarking on, or disembarking from, the ship SOLAS Chapter V – 1/7/02 6.6 The position on the ship's side where the hoist will be lowered shall be 6.7 An adequate protected stowage position shall be provided for the portable hoist. In very cold weather, to avoid the danger of ice formation, the portable hoist shall not be rigged until its use is imminent. 7 Associated equipment 7.1 The following associated equipment shall be kept at hand ready for immediate use when persons are being transferred; 1 In areas of high traffic density, in conditions of restricted visibility and in all other hazardous navigational situations where heading and/or track control systems are in use, it shall be possible to establish manual control of the ship's steering immediately. 2 In circumstances as above, the officer in charge of the navigational watch shall have available without delay the services of a qualified helmsperson who shall be ready at all times to take over steering control. 3 The change-over from automatic to manual steering and vice versa shall be made by or under the supervision of a responsible officer. 4 The manual steering shall be tested after prolonged use of heading and/or track control systems, and before entering areas where navigation demands special caution. REGULATION 25 - Operation of main source of electrical power and In areas where navigation demands special caution, ships shall have more than one steering gear power unit in operation when such units are capable of simultaneous operation. REGULATION 26 - Steering gear: Testing and drills 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: SOLAS Chapter V – 1/7/02 .1 the main steering gear; .2 the auxiliary steering gear; .3 the remote steering gear control systems; .4 the steering positions located on the navigation bridge; .5 the emergency power supply; .6 the rudder angle indicators in relation to the actual position of the rudder; .7 the remote steering gear control system power failure alarms; .8 the steering gear power unit failure alarms; and .9 automatic isolating arrangements and other automatic equipment. 2 The checks and tests shall include: .1 the full movement of the rudder according to the required capabilities of the steering gear; .2 a visual inspection for the steering gear and its connecting linkage; and Nautical charts and nautical publications, such as sailing directions, lists of lights, notices to mariners, tide tables and all other nautical publications necessary for the intended voyage, shall be adequate and up to date. REGULATION 28 - Records of navigational activities SOLAS Chapter V – 1/7/02 All ships engaged on international voyages shall keep on board a record of navigational activities and incidents which are of importance to safety of persons in distress An illustrated table describing the life-saving signal s* shall be readily available to the officer of the watch of every ship to which this chapter applies. The signals shall be used by ships or persons in distress when communicating with life- saving stations, maritime rescue units and aircraft engaged in search and rescue operations. Such life-saving signals are described in the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual (IAMSAR) Vol.III, Mobile Facilitie s and illustrated in the International Code of Signals, as amended pursuant to resolution A.80(IV). REGULATION 30 - Operational limitations 1 This regulation applies to all passenger ships to which chapter I applies. 2 A list of all limitations on the operation of a passenger ship including exemptions from any of these regulations, restrictions in operating areas, weather restrictions, sea state restrictions, restrictions in permissible loads, SOLAS Chapter V – 1/7/02 language (preferably English) or by means of the International Code of Signals. 2 Each Contracting Government will take all steps necessary to ensure that when intelligence of any of the dangers specified in paragraph 1 is received, it will be promptly brought to the knowledge of those concerned and communicated to other interested Governments. 3 The transmission of messages respecting the dangers specified is free of cost to the ships concerned. 4 All radio messages issued under paragraph 1 shall be preceded by the safety signal, using the procedure as prescribed by the Radio Regulations as defined in regulation IV/2. REGULATION 32 - Information required in danger messages The following information is required in danger messages: 1 Ice, derelicts and other direct dangers to navigation: .1 The kind of ice, derelict or danger observed. .2 The position of the ice, derelict or danger when last observed. .3 The time and date (Universal Co-ordinated Time) when the danger was last observed. 2 Tropical cyclones (storms) .1 A statement that a tropical cyclone has been encountered. This SOLAS Chapter V – 1/7/02 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. 5 Sub-freezing air temperatures associated with gale force winds causing 1 The master of a ship at sea which is in a position to be able to provide assistance on receiving a signal from any source that persons are in distress at sea, is bound to proceed with all speed to their assistance, if possible informing them or the search and rescue service that the ship is doing so. If the ship receiving the distress alert is unable or, in the special circumstances of the case, considers it unreasonable or unnecessary to proceed to their assistance, the master must enter in the log-book the reason for failing to proceed to the assistance of the persons in distress, taking into account the recommendation of the Organization, to inform the appropriate search and rescue service accordingly. 2 The master of a ship in distress or the search and rescue service concerned, after consultation, so far as may be possible, with the masters of ships which answer the distress alert, has the right to requisition one or more of those ships as the master of the ship in distress or the search and rescue service considers best able to render assistance, and it shall be the duty of the master or masters of the ship or ships requisitioned to comply with the requisition by continuing to proceed with all speed to the assistance of persons in distress. 3 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. 4 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. 5 The provisions of this regulation do not prejudice the Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules of Law Relating to Assistance and Salvage at Sea, signed at Brussels on 23 September 1910, particularly the obligation to render assistance imposed by article 11 of that Convention.* * International Convention on Salvage 1989 done at London on 28 April 1989 entered into force on 14 July 1996. SOLAS Chapter V – 1/7/02 REGULATION 34 - Safe navigation an d avoidance of dangerous situations 1 Prior to proceeding to sea, the master shall ensure that the intended voyage has been planned using the appropriate nautical charts and nautical publications for the area concerned, taking into account the guidelines and recommendations developed by the Organization.* 2 The voyage plan shall identify a route which: .1 takes into account any relevant ships' routeing systems; .2 ensures sufficient sea room for the safe passage of the ship throughout the voyage; .3 anticipates all known navigational hazards and adverse weather conditions; and .4 takes into account the marine environmental protection measures that apply, and avoids as far as possible actions and activities which could cause damage to the environment. 3 The owner, the charterer, or the company, as defined in regulation IX/1, operating the ship or any other person, shall not prevent or restrict the master of the ship from taking or executing any decision which, in the master's professional judgement, is necessary for safe navigation and protection of the marine environment. * Refer to the Guidelines for Voyage Planning, adopted by the Organization by resolution A.893(21). REGULATION 35 - Misuse of distress signals The use of an international distress signal, except for the purpose of indicating that a person or persons are in distress, and the use of any signal which may be confused with an international distress signal, are prohibited. APPENDIX TO CHAPTER V RULES FOR THE MANAGEMENT, OPERATION AND FINANCING OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC ICE PATROL 1 In these Rules: Ice season SOLAS Chapter V – 1/7/02 from the North Atlantic through or north of the Straits of Gibraltar (except routes which pass south of the extreme limits of ice of all types). SOLAS Chapter V – 1/7/02 through the region of icebergs guarded by the Ice Patrol during the previous three ice seasons. 3 All contributions shall be calculated by multiplying the ratio described in paragraph 2 by the average actual annual cost incurred by the Governments of the United States of America and Canada of managing and operating ice patrol services during the previous three years. This ratio shall be computed annually, and shall be expressed in terms of a lump sum per-annum fee. 4 Each of the contributing Governments has the right to alter or discontinue its contribution, and other interested Governments may undertake to contribute to the expense. The contributing Government which avails itself of this right will continue to be responsible for its current contribution up to 1 September following the date of giving notice of intention to alter or discontinue its contribution. To take advantage of the said right it must give notice to the managing Government at least six months before the said 1 September.