QUESTION BANK

SOLAS CONVENTION

1. SOLAS Convention is generally regarded as the most important of all

International treaties concerning the safety of merchant .ships. Illustrating its
brief history commencing from the first version give chronologically its
evolution towards formation of International convention for the Safety of
Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS). Explain its amendment procedures as detailed in
the Article VIII of the said convention. What is meant by 'Amendments by
conference'? When these amendments enter into force? What does
'Accelerated Amendment' mean?

2. What is the main objective of the SOLAS Convention 1974? Under the said
convention state the responsibility and control provisions of flag
states/contracting Governments. Briefly describe the coverage as detailed by
twelve chapters of SOLAS.

3. State the objective behind Protocol of 1978 of SOLAS Convention 1974.

Underlining its date of adoption and entry into force, describe the number of
important changes to Chapter I of SOLAS. Also describe 1981 amendments
as made in Chapter II-1 and II-2.

4. Illustrating date of adoption and entry into force in each case, describe the
amendments and protocols as made to SOLAS Convention 1974 in (i) 1983
(ii) 1988 (iii) 1989

5. Illustrating date of adoption and entry into force in each case, describe the
amendments and protocols as made to SOLAS Convention 1974 in (i) 1990
(ii) April 1992 (iii) December 1992. What all codes were amended in those
amendments?

6. Describe the amendments as made for Chapter IX of SOLAS by May 1994

Conference and to make mandatory a code as adopted by IMO in November
1993 (Assembly resolution A.741 (18)). State the main objectives of the said
code. Also highlight the amendments made to Article VIII and Chapter X of
SOLAS by the said amendments

7. Highlight the amendments made to Chapter XI of SOLAS by May 1994

Amendment Conference. Under the said measure emphasize the special
regulations that were added and entered into force under tacit acceptance on
1 str January 1986. What reference does the said conference made/stressed to
Regulation A.742 (18), adopted in November 1993 for SOLAS?
8. Describe the new regulations that were added to Chapter V of SOLAS under
the May 1994 amendments. What improvements the said amendments made
to Regulation 15 in Chapter II-2? Enlist the different codes that were
amended in the said conference/ Illustrate 'clear grounds' as defined in the
Annex of Resolution A-742 (18) adopted in November 1993 by May 1994
amendments.

9. Underlining the date of adoption and entry into force describe December
1994, May 1995 and November 1995 amendments as made to SOLAS 1974.
Highlight these amendments made on (I) Ship's routing system (ii) Stability
of Ro-Ro Passenger ships (iii) Lifesaving appliances and arrangements.

10. Describe the different Chapters of SOLAS that were amended and its salient
features as amended by amendments made in (i) June 1996 Conference (ii)
December 1996 Conference. Illustrate their date of adoption and entry into
force in both cases. Highlight the codes that were amended under these
amendments. What new Regulation that were added in Chapter II-1 under
December 1996 amendments?

11. Underlining date of adoption and entry into force, Illustrate the changes June
1997 and Nov, 1997 amendments conference to SOLAS 1974. What new
regulation to comply with the regulation adopted in Nov, 1995 for Ro-Ro
Passenger ships was adopted in June 1997 Amendment Conference? What
observations by International Association of Classification Societies (IACS)
was taken into account in Nov. 1997 Amendment?

12. Under provisions of May 1998 amendments to SOLAS, what provisions in

the amendment has been made to Regulation 14 of SOLAS in Chapter II-1?
Also include the changes made to Chapter IV and Chapter VI of SOLAS
under said Conference. Illustrate the new regulation on 'Position Updating'
has been introduced in context with above.

13. Illustrate the May 1999 amendments to SOLAS 1974 including its date of
adoption and entry into force. State the classes the ships carrying INF cargo
are assigned with under this amendment. What specific changes to adopted
amendments on Nov. 1997 has been included in May 1999 amendments?
What is meant by the said amendment being under 'tacit acceptance*?

14. Highlight the amendments as included in SOLAS Chapter V under Dec.2000

amendment. State the new regulation in SOLAS Chapter II-1 and different
amendments made to SOLAS Chapter V. Fire and Test Procedure Code
(FTP), IBC Code, BCH Code and ISM Code as made by the said conference
(Dec. 2000 amendments).
15. State the salient amendments made to SOLAS 1974 by amendments under
June 2001 and May 2002 amendment conferences. Which one of these is
under 'tacit acceptance'? What changes to 1978 protocols have been initiated
in May 2002 amendment? What impact does May 2002 amendment
conference have on IMDG Code?

16. State the salient clauses of amendments made to SOLAS 1974 by Dec. 2002
amendment conference? What modifications to Chapter V and Chapter XI of
SOLAS has resulted under this amendment. Discuss the new Regulation XI-
1/5 and new chapter XI-2 that have been added to SOLAS on the basis of
this amendment. Also state the requirement/modifications made to
Regulation XI-2/3 enshrining International Ship and Port facilities Security
Code (ISPS Code)

17. Explain the procedure and the role played by main bodies/organs of IMO
towards adopting a convention from the suggestion from one of the
committees of IMO. How much time is allowed for the convention to be
open for signature by attending states? Explain the term (i) Signature (ii)
Ratification as followed by a state to express its consent to be bound by a
treaty.

18. Discuss the procedure of entry into force of a convention after its adopting?
State the provision and its importance towards entry into force of the
convention. For a convention of important technical nature sate the general
rules/conditions observed by the states for its entry into force. Explain the
terms (i) Accession (ii) Signature subject to Ratification, acceptance or
approval.

19. With reference to IMO conventions discuss (i) Amendment (ii) Tacit
Acceptance (iii) Enforcement should an offence occur by a ship within the
jurisdiction of another state, state the provisions kept under the 'enforcement'
of conventions to counter the offence.

MARINE LAW

20. What are the general considerations in international maritime law? What are
the general considerations in regard towage and salvage? Explain life salvage
and time for suit.

21. What are the basic criteria in cargo carriage under bills of lading and related
documents? Explain the procedure towards issue of bill of lading. What are
the obligations of the carrier and shipper under bill of lading? What happens
in case of a part of cargo getting lost or damaged?
22. Under maritime law in case of a collision, explain (i) apportionment of
damages (ii) proportionate fault (iii) collision liabilities (iv) presumptions of
fault (v) jurisdiction in collision cases.

23. What are the various collision liabilities under international maritime law?
How the economic laws in ship collisions are assessed? Highlight your views
on 'collision and conflicts of law'?

24. What are the principles of modern salvage law? What is general average ?
Explain with context to general average (i) Entitlement (ii) Artificial (iii)
Adjustment (iv) Contestation

25. What do you understand by state controlled salvage? In context to salvage

explain the key issues of 'The 1994 York/Antwerp Rules' and 'The Nordic
and Chinese Maritime Codes'

26. What are the liabilities of a ship owner in carriage of passengers onboard
ships? Explain the importance and relevance of 'Pre-Athens Convention
Legislation" and 'The Athens Passenger Convention 1974' .

Part A: MERCHANT SHIPPING ACT

27. A vessel is required to be registered at a specific port in India. List the

documents that will be required for such registration detailing related flow
process thereof.

28. An Indian Shipping Company is running at considerable loss for consecutive

years and desires to put some of their vessels in mortgage. Identify the
parties to whom the vessel can be mortgaged and in extreme measure when
the shipping company fails to repay the mortgaged loan, describe the
modalities for recovering.

29. Under 'Indian Merchant Shipping Act’, explain (i) Indian Courts and their
procedures towards a major casualty on a foreign flagship (ii) Arrest of
Maritime property (iii) Arbitration.

30. In case of a death of a crew member on an Indian ship at Indian coast,

describe the necessary provisions as laid out in 'Indian Merchant Shipping
Act'. What provisions made by the same Act towards seaman's documents
and stowage?

31. With Indian Merchant Shipping Act 1958, discuss (i) Indian Courts and their
procedures (ii) Arrest of maritime property (iii) Liens (iv) Arbitration