International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974

Party

Timor-Leste added

• Ratification: 12-10-2022 (A)
• Entry into force: 12-01-2023
• Reservations / Declarations: No
• Objections: No

General information

• Entry into force: 25-05-1980

Kingdom part

Netherlands (in Europe)

• Entry into force: 25-05-1980

Netherlands (Bonaire)

• Entry into force: 10-10-2010

Netherlands (Sint Eustatius)

• Entry into force: 10-10-2010

Netherlands (Saba)

• Entry into force: 10-10-2010

Aruba

• Entry into force: 01-01-1986

Curaçao

• Entry into force: 10-10-2010

Sint Maarten

• Entry into force: 10-10-2010

Party

Albania

• Ratification: 07-06-2004 (A)
• Entry into force: 07-09-2004

Algeria

• Ratification: 03-11-1983 (A)
• Entry into force: 03-02-1984

Angola

• Ratification: 03-10-1991 (A)
• Entry into force: 03-01-1992

Antigua and Barbuda

• Ratification: 09-02-1987 (A)
• Entry into force: 09-05-1987

Australia

• Ratification: 17-08-1983 (A)
• Entry into force: 17-11-1983

Austria

• Ratification: 27-05-1988 (A)
• Entry into force: 27-08-1988

Azerbaijan

• Ratification: 01-07-1997 (A)
• Entry into force: 01-10-1997

Bahamas

• Ratification: 16-02-1979 (A)
• Entry into force: 25-05-1980

Bahrain

• Ratification: 21-10-1985 (A)
• Entry into force: 21-01-1986

Bangladesh

• Ratification: 06-11-1981 (A)
• Entry into force: 06-02-1982

Barbados

• Ratification: 01-09-1982 (A)
• Entry into force: 01-12-1982

Belarus

• Signature: 01-11-1974
• Ratification: 07-01-1994 (R)
• Entry into force: 07-04-1994

Belgium

• Signature: 17-12-1974
• Ratification: 24-09-1979 (R)
• Entry into force: 25-05-1980

Belize

• Ratification: 02-04-1991 (A)
• Entry into force: 02-07-1991

Benin

• Ratification: 01-11-1985 (A)
• Entry into force: 01-02-1986

Bolivia

• Ratification: 04-06-1999 (A)
• Entry into force: 04-09-1999

Brazil

• Ratification: 22-05-1980 (A)
• Entry into force: 25-05-1980

Brunei

• Ratification: 23-10-1986 (A)
• Entry into force: 23-01-1987

Bulgaria

• Signature: 08-11-1974
• Ratification: 02-11-1983 (R)
• Entry into force: 02-02-1984

Cabo Verde

• Ratification: 28-04-1977 (A)
• Entry into force: 25-05-1980

Cambodia

• Ratification: 28-11-1994 (A)
• Entry into force: 28-02-1995

Cameroon

• Ratification: 14-05-1984 (A)
• Entry into force: 14-08-1984

Canada

• Ratification: 08-05-1978 (A)
• Entry into force: 25-05-1980

Chile

• Signature: 01-11-1974
• Ratification: 28-03-1980 (R)
• Entry into force: 25-05-1980

Colombia

• Ratification: 31-10-1980 (A)
• Entry into force: 31-01-1981

Comoros

• Ratification: 22-11-2000 (A)
• Entry into force: 22-02-2001

Cook Islands

• Ratification: 30-06-2003 (A)
• Entry into force: 30-09-2003

Côte d'Ivoire

• Ratification: 05-10-1987 (A)
• Entry into force: 05-01-1988

Croatia

• Ratification: 08-10-1991 (Su)
• Entry into force: 08-10-1991

Cuba

• Ratification: 19-06-1992 (A)
• Entry into force: 19-09-1992

Cyprus

• Ratification: 11-10-1985 (A)
• Entry into force: 11-01-1986

Czech Republic

• Ratification: 19-10-1993 (Su)
• Entry into force: 01-01-1993

Czechoslovakia (<01-01-1993)

• Signature: 01-11-1974
• Ratification: 18-08-1980 (R)
• Entry into force: 18-11-1980

Democratic People's Republic of Korea

• Ratification: 01-05-1985 (A)
• Entry into force: 01-08-1985

Democratic Republic of the Congo

• Ratification: 17-12-2004 (A)
• Entry into force: 17-03-2005

Denmark

• Signature: 01-11-1974
• Ratification: 08-03-1978 (R)
• Entry into force: 25-05-1980
• Faroes
  Entry into force: 25-05-1980Greenland
  Entry into force: 25-05-1980

Djibouti

• Ratification: 01-03-1984 (A)
• Entry into force: 01-06-1984

Dominica

• Ratification: 21-06-2000 (A)
• Entry into force: 21-09-2000

Dominican Republic

• Ratification: 10-04-1980 (A)
• Entry into force: 25-05-1980

Ecuador

• Ratification: 28-05-1982 (A)
• Entry into force: 28-08-1982

Egypt

• Signature: 01-11-1974
• Ratification: 04-09-1981 (R)
• Entry into force: 04-12-1981

Equatorial Guinea

• Ratification: 24-04-1996 (A)
• Entry into force: 24-07-1996

Eritrea

• Ratification: 22-04-1996 (A)
• Entry into force: 22-07-1996

Estonia

• Ratification: 16-12-1991 (A)
• Entry into force: 16-03-1992

Ethiopia

• Ratification: 18-07-1985 (A)
• Entry into force: 18-10-1985

Fiji

• Ratification: 04-03-1983 (A)
• Entry into force: 04-06-1983

Finland

• Ratification: 21-11-1980 (A)
• Entry into force: 21-02-1981

Gabon

• Ratification: 21-01-1982 (A)
• Entry into force: 21-04-1982

Gambia, The

• Ratification: 01-11-1991 (A)
• Entry into force: 01-02-1992

Georgia

• Ratification: 19-04-1994 (A)
• Entry into force: 19-07-1994

Germany

• Signature: 18-02-1975
• Ratification: 26-03-1979 (R)
• Entry into force: 25-05-1980

Ghana

• Signature: 01-11-1974
• Ratification: 19-05-1983 (R)
• Entry into force: 19-08-1983

Greece

• Signature: 01-11-1974
• Ratification: 12-05-1980 (R)
• Entry into force: 25-05-1980

Grenada

• Ratification: 28-06-2004 (A)
• Entry into force: 28-09-2004

Guatemala

• Ratification: 20-10-1982 (A)
• Entry into force: 20-01-1983

Guinea

• Ratification: 19-01-1981 (A)
• Entry into force: 19-04-1981

Guinea-Bissau

• Ratification: 24-10-2016 (A)
• Entry into force: 24-01-2017

Guyana

• Ratification: 10-12-1997 (A)
• Entry into force: 10-03-1998

Haïti

• Ratification: 06-04-1989 (A)
• Entry into force: 06-07-1989

Honduras

• Ratification: 24-09-1985 (A)
• Entry into force: 24-12-1985

Hungary

• Signature: 01-11-1974
• Ratification: 09-01-1980 (R)
• Entry into force: 25-05-1980

Iceland

• Signature: 01-11-1974
• Ratification: 06-07-1983 (R)
• Entry into force: 06-10-1983

India

• Ratification: 16-06-1976 (A)
• Entry into force: 25-05-1980

Indonesia

• Signature: 01-11-1974
• Ratification: 17-02-1981 (R)
• Entry into force: 17-05-1981

Iran

• Signature: 01-11-1974
• Ratification: 17-10-1994 (R)
• Entry into force: 17-01-1995

Iraq

• Ratification: 14-12-1990 (A)
• Entry into force: 14-03-1991

Ireland

• Ratification: 29-11-1983 (A)
• Entry into force: 29-02-1984

Israel

• Signature: 01-11-1974
• Ratification: 15-05-1979 (R)
• Entry into force: 25-05-1980

Italy

• Ratification: 11-06-1980 (A)
• Entry into force: 11-09-1980

Jamaica

• Ratification: 14-10-1983 (A)
• Entry into force: 14-01-1984

Japan

• Ratification: 15-05-1980 (A)
• Entry into force: 25-05-1980

Kazakhstan

• Ratification: 07-03-1994 (A)
• Entry into force: 07-06-1994

Kenya

• Ratification: 21-07-1999 (A)
• Entry into force: 21-10-1999

Kiribati

• Ratification: 05-02-2007 (A)
• Entry into force: 05-05-2007

Latvia

• Ratification: 20-05-1992 (A)
• Entry into force: 20-08-1992

Lebanon

• Ratification: 29-11-1983 (A)
• Entry into force: 29-02-1984

Liberia

• Signature: 01-11-1974
• Ratification: 14-11-1977 (R)
• Entry into force: 25-05-1980

Libya

• Ratification: 02-07-1981 (A)
• Entry into force: 02-10-1981

Lithuania

• Ratification: 04-12-1991 (A)
• Entry into force: 04-03-1992

Luxembourg

• Ratification: 14-02-1991 (A)
• Entry into force: 14-05-1991

Madagascar

• Ratification: 07-03-1996 (A)
• Entry into force: 07-06-1996

Malawi

• Ratification: 09-03-1993 (A)
• Entry into force: 09-06-1993

Malaysia

• Ratification: 19-10-1983 (A)
• Entry into force: 19-01-1984

Maldives

• Ratification: 14-01-1981 (A)
• Entry into force: 14-04-1981

Malta

• Ratification: 08-08-1986 (A)
• Entry into force: 08-11-1986

Marshall Islands

• Ratification: 26-04-1988 (A)
• Entry into force: 26-07-1988

Mauritania

• Ratification: 24-11-1997 (A)
• Entry into force: 24-02-1998

Mauritius

• Ratification: 01-02-1988 (A)
• Entry into force: 01-05-1988

Mexico

• Signature: 01-11-1974
• Ratification: 28-03-1977 (R)
• Entry into force: 25-05-1980

Moldova

• Ratification: 11-10-2005 (A)
• Entry into force: 11-01-2006

Monaco

• Ratification: 01-11-1974 (S)
• Entry into force: 25-05-1980

Mongolia

• Ratification: 26-06-2002 (A)
• Entry into force: 26-09-2002

Montenegro

• Ratification: 03-06-2006 (Su)
• Entry into force: 03-06-2006

Morocco

• Ratification: 28-06-1990 (A)
• Entry into force: 28-09-1990

Mozambique

• Ratification: 23-12-1996 (A)
• Entry into force: 23-03-1997

Myanmar

• Ratification: 11-11-1987 (A)
• Entry into force: 11-02-1988

Namibia

• Ratification: 27-11-2000 (A)
• Entry into force: 27-02-2001

Nauru

• Ratification: 18-06-2018 (A)
• Entry into force: 18-09-2018

Netherlands, the Kingdom of the

• Ratification: 10-07-1978 (A)
• Entry into force: 25-05-1980

New Zealand

• Ratification: 23-02-1990 (A)
• Entry into force: 23-05-1990

Nicaragua

• Ratification: 17-12-2004 (A)
• Entry into force: 17-03-2005

Nigeria

• Ratification: 07-05-1981 (A)
• Entry into force: 07-08-1981

Niue

• Ratification: 27-06-2012 (A)
• Entry into force: 27-09-2012

Norway

• Signature: 24-06-1975
• Ratification: 15-02-1977 (R)
• Entry into force: 25-05-1980

Oman

• Ratification: 25-04-1985 (A)
• Entry into force: 25-07-1985

Pakistan

• Ratification: 10-04-1985 (A)
• Entry into force: 10-07-1985

Palau

• Ratification: 29-09-2011 (A)
• Entry into force: 29-12-2011

Panama

• Ratification: 09-03-1978 (A)
• Entry into force: 25-05-1980

Papua New Guinea

• Ratification: 12-11-1980 (A)
• Entry into force: 12-02-1981

Paraguay

• Ratification: 15-06-2004 (A)
• Entry into force: 15-09-2004

Peru

• Ratification: 04-12-1979 (A)
• Entry into force: 25-05-1980

Philippines

• Ratification: 15-12-1981 (A)
• Entry into force: 15-03-1982

Poland

• Signature: 10-01-1975
• Ratification: 15-03-1984 (R)
• Entry into force: 15-06-1984

Portugal

• Signature: 01-11-1974
• Ratification: 07-11-1983 (R)
• Entry into force: 07-02-1984
• Macao (<20-12-1999)
  Entry into force: 24-08-1999
  Termination: 20-12-1999

Qatar

• Ratification: 22-12-1980 (A)
• Entry into force: 22-03-1981

Republic of Korea, the

• Signature: 01-11-1974
• Ratification: 31-12-1980 (R)
• Entry into force: 31-03-1981

Republic of the Congo

• Signature: 01-11-1974
• Ratification: 10-09-1985 (R)
• Entry into force: 10-12-1985

Romania

• Ratification: 24-05-1979 (A)
• Entry into force: 25-05-1980

Russian Federation

• Signature: 01-11-1974
• Ratification: 09-01-1980 (R)
• Entry into force: 25-05-1980

Saint Kitts and Nevis

• Ratification: 11-06-2004 (A)
• Entry into force: 11-09-2004

Saint Lucia

• Ratification: 20-05-2004 (A)
• Entry into force: 20-08-2004

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

• Ratification: 28-10-1983 (A)
• Entry into force: 28-01-1984

Samoa

• Ratification: 14-03-1997 (A)
• Entry into force: 14-06-1997

San Marino

• Ratification: 19-04-2021 (A)
• Entry into force: 19-07-2021

São Tomé e Principe

• Ratification: 29-10-1998 (A)
• Entry into force: 29-01-1999

Saudi Arabia

• Ratification: 24-04-1985 (A)
• Entry into force: 24-07-1985

Senegal

• Ratification: 16-01-1997 (A)
• Entry into force: 16-04-1997

Serbia

• Ratification: 12-03-2001 (Su)
• Entry into force: 27-04-1992

Seychelles

• Ratification: 10-05-1988 (A)
• Entry into force: 10-08-1988

Sierra Leone

• Ratification: 13-08-1993 (A)
• Entry into force: 13-11-1993

Singapore

• Ratification: 16-03-1981 (A)
• Entry into force: 16-06-1981

Slovakia

• Ratification: 30-01-1995 (Su)
• Entry into force: 01-01-1993

Slovenia

• Ratification: 25-06-1991 (Su)
• Entry into force: 25-06-1991

Solomon Islands

• Ratification: 30-06-2004 (A)
• Entry into force: 30-09-2004

Somalia

• Ratification: 16-03-2020 (A)
• Entry into force: 16-06-2020

South Africa

• Ratification: 23-05-1980 (A)
• Entry into force: 25-05-1980

Spain

• Signature: 04-03-1975
• Ratification: 05-09-1978 (R)
• Entry into force: 25-05-1980

Sri Lanka

• Ratification: 30-08-1983 (A)
• Entry into force: 30-11-1983

Sudan

• Ratification: 15-05-1990 (A)
• Entry into force: 15-08-1990

Suriname

• Ratification: 04-11-1988 (A)
• Entry into force: 04-02-1989

Sweden

• Signature: 01-11-1974
• Ratification: 07-07-1978 (R)
• Entry into force: 25-05-1980

Switzerland

• Signature: 01-11-1974
• Ratification: 01-10-1981 (R)
• Entry into force: 01-01-1982

Syria

• Ratification: 20-07-2001 (A)
• Entry into force: 20-10-2001

Tanzania

• Ratification: 28-03-2001 (A)
• Entry into force: 28-06-2001

Thailand

• Ratification: 18-12-1984 (A)
• Entry into force: 18-03-1985

Togo

• Ratification: 19-07-1989 (A)
• Entry into force: 19-10-1989

Tonga

• Ratification: 12-04-1977 (A)
• Entry into force: 25-05-1980

Trinidad and Tobago

• Ratification: 15-02-1979 (A)
• Entry into force: 25-05-1980

Tunisia

• Ratification: 06-08-1980 (A)
• Entry into force: 06-11-1980

Türkiye

• Ratification: 31-07-1980 (A)
• Entry into force: 31-10-1980

Turkmenistan

• Ratification: 04-02-2009 (A)
• Entry into force: 04-05-2009

Tuvalu

• Ratification: 22-08-1985 (A)
• Entry into force: 22-11-1985

Uganda

• Ratification: 03-04-2019 (A)
• Entry into force: 03-07-2019

Ukraine

• Ratification: 01-11-1974 (S)
• Entry into force: 25-05-1980

United Arab Emirates

• Ratification: 15-12-1983 (A)
• Entry into force: 15-03-1984

United Kingdom

• Signature: 01-11-1974
• Ratification: 07-10-1977 (R)
• Entry into force: 25-05-1980
• Alderney
  Entry into force: 19-05-2004Anguilla
  Entry into force: 19-05-2004Bermuda
  Entry into force: 23-06-1988British Virgin Islands
  Entry into force: 10-06-2004Cayman Islands
  Entry into force: 23-06-1988Falkland Islands
  Entry into force: 30-01-2004Gibraltar
  Entry into force: 01-12-1988Guernsey
  Entry into force: 30-01-2004Hong Kong (< 01-07-1997)
  Entry into force: 25-05-1980
  Termination: 01-07-1997Jersey
  Entry into force: 30-01-2004Man, Isle of
  Entry into force: 01-07-1985Montserrat
  Entry into force: 19-05-2004Saint-Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
  Entry into force: 10-06-2004Turks and Caicos Islands
  Entry into force: 07-07-2004

United States of America

• Signature: 01-11-1974
• Ratification: 07-09-1978 (R)
• Entry into force: 25-05-1980

Uruguay

• Ratification: 30-04-1979 (A)
• Entry into force: 25-05-1980

Vanuatu

• Ratification: 28-07-1982 (A)
• Entry into force: 28-10-1982

Venezuela

• Signature: 01-11-1974
• Ratification: 29-03-1983 (R)
• Entry into force: 29-06-1983

Vietnam

• Ratification: 18-12-1990 (A)
• Entry into force: 18-03-1991

Yemen

• Ratification: 06-03-1979 (A)
• Entry into force: 25-05-1980

Yugoslavia (< 25-06-1991)

• Signature: 01-11-1974
• Ratification: 11-06-1979 (R)
• Entry into force: 25-05-1980

Argentina

• Signature: 12-12-1974
• Ratification: 05-12-1979 (R)
• Entry into force: 25-05-1980
• Reservations / Declarations: Yes
• Objections: Yes

• reservation
  30-09-2009
  The Argentine Government recalls that the Falkland Islands (Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas are an integral part of the Argentine Republic's territory and that, being illegitimately occupied by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, they are subject to a sovereignty dispute between both countries, which is recognized by the United Nations and by other international organizations. In that respect, it recalls that the General Assembly of the United Nations has adopted resolutions 2065 (XX), 3160 (XXVIII), 31/49, 37/9, 38/12, 39/6, 40/21, 41/40, 42/19 and 43/25, in which it recognizes the existence of the sovereignty dispute to which the "Question of the Malvinas Islands" refers and urges the Government of the Argentine Republic and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to resume negotiations in order to find a peaceful and lasting solution to the dispute as soon as possible. In turn, the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization has repeatedly urged them to do likewise, most recently through its resolution of 18 June 2009. Furthermore, on 4 June 2009, the General Assembly of the Organization of American States issued a similar decision on the Question. Accordingly, the Argentine Government rejects and objects to the attempts by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to apply the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, to the Falkland Islands (Malvinas). The Argentine Government reaffirms its legitimate sovereign rights over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas.

  reservation
  18-02-2014
  [...] A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas). [...] the Argentine Government objects and rejects the extension, by the UK Government, of the application of the Convention to the Falkland Islands (Malvinas).

  objection to reservation

  Objections United Kingdom, 02-10-2015

  The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland would like to reiterate that it has no doubt about its sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas. It is therefore entirely legitimate for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to extend the application of equivalent arrangements to the above-mentioned international instruments for pleasure yachts carrying 12 and 36 passengers, to the Falkland Islands and the surrounding maritime areas.

China

• Signature: 20-06-1975
• Ratification: 07-01-1980 (R)
• Entry into force: 25-05-1980
• Reservations / Declarations: Yes
• Objections: No
• Hong Kong SAR
  Entry into force: 01-07-1997Macao SAR
  Entry into force: 20-12-1999

• reservation
  20-06-1975
  1. The People's Republic of China reserves the right to rationally implement, in conformity with the conditions of China, the regulations concerning fire detection and fire protection for tankers and passenger ships stipulated in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974. 2. The so-called 'signing' on the Convention by the perished Saigon puppet regime is illegal and null and void, and the sole legitimate representative of the South Vietnamese people is the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Viet Nam.

Costa Rica

• Ratification: 06-06-2011 (A)
• Entry into force: 06-09-2011
• Reservations / Declarations: Yes
• Objections: No

• reservation
  06-06-2011
  Article 3 of the act approving accession to this Convention establishes that 'It is the interpretation of the Government of the Republic of Costa Rica, in relation to article VIII of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, that the amendments mentioned shall enter into force for the country once they have been approved by the Legislative Assembly and ratified by the executive authority.'

France

• Signature: 01-11-1974
• Ratification: 25-05-1977 (R)
• Entry into force: 25-05-1980
• Reservations / Declarations: Yes
• Objections: No

• reservation
  25-05-1977
  Article VIII, paragraph (d)(i): the Government of the French Republic enters a reservation concerning article VIII, paragraph (d)(i), to the effect that it will not recognize any invocation of that provision against it in respect of its own ships as the provision is contrary to international law.

Jordan

• Ratification: 07-08-1985 (A)
• Entry into force: 07-11-1985
• Reservations / Declarations: Yes
• Objections: Yes

• reservation
  07-08-1985
  The accession by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the International Convention on the Safety of Life at Sea in no way means recognition of or entry into treaty regulations with Israel under the Said Convention.

  objection to reservation

  Objections Israel, 06-11-1985

  The Government of the State of Israel has noted that the instrument of accession deposited by the Government of Jordan contains a declaration of a political character in respect of Israel. In the view of the Government of the State of Israel, this Convention is not the proper place for making such political pronouncements, which are in flagrant contradiction to the principles and purposes of the Convention. Moreover, the statement by the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan cannot in any way affect whatever obligations are binding upon it under general international law or under particular conventions. Insofar as the substance of the matter is concerned, the Government of the State of Israel will adopt towards the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan an attitude of complete reciprocity.

Kuwait

• Ratification: 29-06-1979 (A)
• Entry into force: 25-05-1980
• Reservations / Declarations: Yes
• Objections: Yes

• reservation
  29-06-1979
  It is understood that the accession of the State of Kuwait to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, done at London on the 1st of November 1974 [...] does not in any way mean recognition of Israel by the State of Kuwait. Furthermore, no treaty relations will arise between the State of Kuwait and Israel.

  objection to reservation

  Objections Israel, 03-12-1979

  The instrument of accession deposited by the Government of the State of Kuwait was accompanied by a statement of a political character in respect of Israel. In the view of the Government of Israel, this Convention is not the proper place for making such political pronouncements. Moreover, the said declaration cannot in any way affect whatever obligations are binding upon Kuwait under general international law or under particular conventions. The Government of Israel will, so far as concerns the substance of the matter, adopt towards the Government of the State of Kuwait an attitude of complete reciprocity.