Legal Framework

International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)

The most important international treaty governing maritime safety, requiring ships to render assistance to persons in distress at sea. SOLAS establishes minimum standards for ship construction, equipment, and operation.

Related incidents

1 incident

Sinking of IRIS Dena: USS Charlotte Torpedoes Iranian Frigate Off Sri Lanka

A US submarine torpedoed an Iranian frigate returning from a peaceful international naval event, killing 87 sailors. The failure to rescue shipwrecked sailors violates the Second Geneva Convention's …

  • The USS Charlotte torpedoed the IRIS Dena approximately 19 nautical miles off Sri Lanka on March 4, 2026. The Iranian frigate was returning …
  • Eighty-seven sailors were killed. The Sri Lanka Navy rescued 32 survivors.