The maritime safety system, its main components and elements

The basic concepts safety at sea and the maritime safety system have remain ed almost unchanged for a comparatively long time. However, the components and elements of these concepts are now subject to many changes created by t he 'information age'. This paper presents thoughts on today's concept of th e maritime safety system, its main components and their elements. Although the thoughts and ideas presented are those of the authors, they take accoun t of the legal instruments in force and recent developments in technology, especially developments in radio-communications. The paper provides an over all review of the institutions, regulations and procedures concerned with s afety at sea.