Convention is a major change (or a collection of change) which are brought into force when either a major accident happens (eg sinking of Titanic which resulted in SOLAS) or when an important research establishes the need for such convention (eg Ballast water convention). The Code on the other hand is a part of Convention and is quoted within the convention. It provides the technical aspects of the element to which the convention is referring to. Example of this is SOLAS Chap III refers to Life Saving Appliances through LSA Code. So for details about Lifebuoy or hand flares you need to refer to the LSA Code. Codes are developed in order to keep the Convention limited otherwise the Convention will become very thick book.

Convention is a major change (or a collection of change) which are brought into force when either a major accident happens (eg sinking of Titanic which resulted in SOLAS) or when an important research establishes the need for such convention (eg Ballast water convention). The Code on the other hand is a part of Convention and is quoted within the convention. It provides the technical aspects of the element to which the convention is referring to. Example of this is SOLAS Chap III refers to Life Saving Appliances through LSA Code. So for details about Lifebuoy or hand flares you need to refer to the LSA Code. Codes are developed in order to keep the Convention limited otherwise the Convention will become very thick book.