What is SOLAS or Safety training manual on ship and its content/ details?

SOLAS Chapter III requires that all ships should be provided with a SOLAS Training Manual / Safety Training Manual detailing all training on the safety aspects of the ship.

Scope of this plan is to provide guidance on the use of all the lifesaving appliances onboard. Plan is developed in line with IMO Requirements and common marine practice. Approval by the Administration or a Recognised Organisation (RO) on behalf of the Administration is NOT mandatory, however manual is always subject to PSC inspection.

1. Training manuals shall contain instructions and information on the life-saving appliances provided in the ship. It shall also contain information on the best methods of survival. The material in the manual shall be in easily understood terms and illustrated where appropriate.
2. Training manuals may comprise one or more volumes and information may be provided in the form of audio-visual aids as an alternative to printed material.
3. Depending on the life-saving appliances provided in the ship, the following shall be explained in detail –
   • donning of lifejackets, immersion suits and anti-exposure suits, as appropriate;
   • muster at the assigned stations;
   • boarding, launching, and clearing the survival craft, rescue boats, fast rescue boats, free-fall boats and inflated boats;
   • method of launching from within the survival craft;
   • release from launching appliances;
   • methods and use of devices for protection in launching areas;
   • illumination in launching areas;
   • use of all survival equipment;
   • use of all detection equipment;
   • with the assistance of illustrations, the use of radio life-saving appliances;
   • use of sea anchors;
   • use of engine and accessories;
   • recovery of the survival craft, rescue boats, fast rescue boats, free-fall boats and inflated boats including stowage and securing;
   • hazards of exposure and the need for warm clothing;
   • best use of the survival craft facilities in order to survive;
   • methods of retrieval, including the use of helicopter rescue gear (slings, baskets, stretchers),breeches-buoy and shore life-saving apparatus and ship’s line-throwing apparatus;
   • all other functions contained in the muster list and emergency instructions;

 

Contents of TRAINING manual:

1. SOLAS Requirements
2. Personal Life Saving Equipment
3. Muster List and Emergency Instructions
4. Life Boats and Rescue Boats
5. Survival Equipment
6. Exposure Hazards
7. Use of Survival Craft
8. Methods of Retrieval
9. Emergency Repair of Life Saving Appliances
10. Safety Equipment Inventory