From January 1, 2026, firefighting media containing more than 10 mg/kg of PFOS will be prohibited on ships worldwide under SOLAS amendments adopted by IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee. The ban affects both new and existing vessels, and for operators trading to Europe, it intersects directly with IHM obligations under the EU Ship Recycling Regulation. Compliance preparation must begin now.
In a global industry where officers from dozens of nations share bridge watchkeeping responsibilities, navigation channels, and distress frequencies, the Standard Marine Communication Phrases provide the common linguistic foundation that makes safe coordination possible. This guide explains what SMCP is, how it works, and why its precise use is a professional and safety obligation.
Effective fire response depends on deploying the right equipment at the right moment, which means understanding what each tool does, when it applies, and how it integrates with the wider response. This guide covers the full range of firefighting equipment, from portable extinguishers and protective PPE to thermal imaging, drones, and the support systems that sustain operations in complex fire environments.
When an emergency occurs at sea, external assistance may be hours away. The life-saving equipment mandated under SOLAS for every vessel is the only safety infrastructure available in those critical first hours, and its effectiveness depends entirely on its condition, its correct deployment, and the familiarity of the people using it.
