May 1980, 12 months after its ratification by at least 25 countries with at least 50% of gross tonnage. It has been updated and amended on numerous occasions since then and the Convention in force today is sometimes referred to as SOLAS, 1974, as amended. In 1975 the assembly of the IMO decided that the 1974 convention should in future use SI (metric) units only. 1988 version In particular, amendments in 1988 based on amendments of International Radio Regulations in 1987 replaced Morse code with the Global Maritime Distress Safety System (GMDSS) and came into force beginning 1 February 1992. The issues covered by the treaty are set out in the list of sections (above). Later amendments The up-to-date list of amendments to SOLAS is maintained by the IMO. Previous amendments were made in May 2011. In 2015, another later amendment is the SOLAS Container Weight Verification Regulation VI/2. This regulation, implemented by the IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) requires that the full weight of loaded containers must be obtained prior to being onboarded on an ocean vessel. Communicating a weight value has called for the introduction of a new Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) communication protocol called VGM (Verified Gross Mass) or VERMAS (Verification of Mass), and involves cooperation between ocean carriers, Freight Forwarders/NVOCCs, EDI providers as well as exporters. The regulation states that exporters (shippers) are ultimately responsible to obtain a verified container weight. Originally scheduled for implementation on 1 July 2016, the regulation allows for flexibility and practical refinement according to the Maritime Safety Committee Memorandum #1548 to 1 October 2016. See also International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS) Survival suit Oswego-Guardian/Texanita collision Automatic Identification System References External links International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code – under the auspices of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) of 1 November 1974, (London, 4 June 1996) International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea , Treaty in ECOLEX-the gateway to environmental law (English) USCG: Lifesaving & Fire Safety Division USCG Summary of IMO conventions IMO: Status of Conventions SOLAS: container weighing method 1 & 2 10 things you need to know about the new SOLAS regulations International Maritime Organization treaties Rescue Maritime communication Maritime safety Treaties concluded in 1914 Treaties concluded in 1929 Treaties concluded in 1948 Treaties concluded in 1960 Treaties concluded in 1974 Admiralty law treaties Treaties of Algeria Treaties of