S.I. No. 95/1951:

MERCHANT SHIPPING (CREW ACCOMMODATION ON BOARD SHIP) REGULATIONS, 1951.

MERCHANT SHIPPING (CREW ACCOMMODATION ON BOARD SHIP) REGULATIONS, 1951.

ARRANGEMENT OF ARTICLES.

PART I.

PRELIMINARY.

Article.

1. Short title and commencement.

2. Definitions.

3. Application.

4. Approved exemptions and variations.

PART II.

PLANNING OF CREW ACCOMMODATION.

5. Planning of crew accommodation.

PART III.

Crew Accommodation Requirements.

6. General requirements.

7. Ventilation.

8. Heating.

9. Lighting.

10. Sleeping rooms.

11. Mess room accommodation.

12. Catering accommodation.

13. Open spaces and recreation accommodation.

14. Sanitary accommodation.

15. Hospital accommodation.

16. Accommodation for oilskins, etc.

17. Departure from requirements of foregoing Articles.

18. General cleanliness, etc.

PART IV.

SPECIAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE WITH RESPECT TO EXISTING SHIPS AND ON CERTAIN RE-REGISTRATIONS.

19. Existing ship fully complete.

20. Existing ship in process of building or reconversion.

21. Certain re-registrations.

PART V.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Section

22. Inspection.

23. Spaces occupied by seamen or apprentices and appropriated to their use.

24. Copies of Regulations available for inspection.

25. Saver for more favourable conditions.

26. Detention of ship.

S.I. No. 95 of 1951.

MERCHANT SHIPPING (CREW ACCOMMODATION ON BOARD SHIP) REGULATIONS, 1951.

I, THOMAS F. O'HIGGINS, Minister for Industry and Commerce, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 12 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1947 (No. 46 of 1947), hereby order as follows :

PART I. PRELIMINARY.

1.--(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Merchant Shipping (Crew Accommodation on Board Ship) Regulations, 1951.

(2) These Regulations shall come into operation on the 1st day of January, 1952.

2. In these Regulations--

approved, approval.

the word "approved" means approved by the Minister and the word "approval" means approval by the Minister;

clear head room.

the expression "clear head room" means the distance from the floor to the underside of the deck beam;

crew accommodation.

the expression "crew accommodation" includes such sleeping rooms, mess rooms, catering accommodation (including store rooms and storage spaces) sanitary accommodation, hospital accommodation and recreation accommodation as are provided for the use of the crew ;

foreign-going.

the word "foreign-going" has the same meaning as in the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894;

Minister.

the expression "the Minister" means the Minister for Industry and Commerce;

officer.

the word "officer" means a person other than a master ranked as an officer by agreement between organisations of shipowners and seafarers or by custom;

passenger ship.

the expression "passenger ship" means a ship in respect of which there is in force either--

(a) a safety certificate issued in accordance with the provisions of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea for the time being in force, or

(b) a passenger steamer's certificate;

petty officer.

the expression "petty officer" means a rating serving in a supervisory position or position of special responsibility who is classed as a petty officer by agreement between organisations of shipowners and seafarers or by custom;

rating.

the word "rating" means a member of the crew other than an officer or master, and, unless otherwise provided, includes an indentured apprentice and a cadet;

re-registered

the word "re-registered" means re-registered on the occasion of a simultaneous change in the territory of registration and ownership of the vessel;

ship.

the word "ship" means a vessel to which these Regulations, by virtue of Article 3 thereof, apply ;

surveyor of ships.

the expression "surveyor of ships" means a person appointed by the Minister to be a surveyor of ships ;

tons.

the word "tons" means gross register tons.

3.--(1) These Regulations apply to every seagoing mechanically propelled vessel, whether publicly or privately owned, which--

(a) is registered in the State, and

(b) is engaged in the transport of cargo or passengers for the purpose of trade, and

(c) is not--

(i) a vessel of less than 200 tons, or

(ii) a vessel primarily propelled by sail but having an auxiliary engine, or

(iii) a vessel engaged in fishing or in whaling or in similar pursuits, or

(iv) a tug, or

(v) a passenger vessel of less than 500 tons which is used solely for plying on short excursions between the 1st day of April and the 31st day of October inclusive during daylight and in fine weather.

(2) In this Article, the word " seagoing " means proceeding beyond the seaward limits of the harbour of the port from which the voyage begins.

4.--(1) These Regulations shall have effect in relation to ships of 200 tons or over but under 500 tons, subject (without prejudice to any other exemption provided for by these Regulations) to any exemption that may be approved, whether in respect of a particular such vessel or a class of such vessels, but such approval shall not be given save after consultation by the Minister with organisations of shipowners and seafarers.

(2) The requirements contained in Part III of these Regulations shall have effect as respects any particular ship subject to such (if any) variations as may be approved, but such approval shall not be given unless the Minister, after consulation with organisations of shipowners and seafarers, is satisfied that the variations to be approved provide corresponding advantages as a result of which the over-all conditions are not less satisfactory than those which would result from full compliance with these Regulations.

PART II. PLANNING OF CREW ACCOMMODATION.

5.--(1) Before the construction of a ship is begun, a plan of the ship showing the location and general arrangement of the crew accommodation shall be submitted for approval and such plan shall be on a scale of--

(a) in the case of a passenger ship for more than twelve passengers, at least one-eight of an inch to a foot,

(b) in any other case, at least a quarter of an inch to a foot.

(2) Before the construction of the crew accommodation is begun and before the crew accommodation in an existing ship is altered or reconstructed, detailed plans of, and information concerning, the accommodation, showing on the scale mentioned in paragraph (1) of this Article and in detail the allocation of each space, the disposition of furniture and fittings, the means and arrangement of ventilation, lighting and heating, the measures for preventing or retarding fire and the sanitary arrangements, shall be submitted for approval.

(3) In the case of emergency or temporary alteration or reconstruction effected outside the State, paragraph (2) of this Article shall be deemed to be complied with if the plans referred to in that paragraph are subsequently submitted for approval.

PART III. CREW ACCOMMODATION REQUIREMENTS.

6.--(1) The location, means of access, structure and arrangement in relation to other spaces of crew accommodation shall be such as to ensure adequate security, protection against weather and sea, and insulation from heat or cold, undue noise or effluvia from other spaces.

(2) There shall be no direct openings into sleeping rooms from spaces for cargo and machinery or from galleys, lamp and paint rooms or from engine, deck and other bulk storerooms, drying rooms, communal wash places or water closets. That part of the bulkhead separating such places from sleeping rooms and external bulkheads shall be efficiently constructed of steel or other approved substance and shall be watertight and gastight.

(3) External bulkheads of sleeping rooms and mess rooms shall be adequately insulated. All machinery casings and all boundary bulkheads of galleys and other spaces in which heat is produced shall be adequately insulated where there is a possibility of resulting heat effects in adjoining accommodation or passageways. Care shall also be taken to provide protection from heat effects of service pipes, whether hot-water or steam pipes.

(4) Internal bulkheads shall be of approved material which is not likely to harbour vermin.

(5) Sleeping rooms, mess rooms, recreation rooms, the galley and alley-ways in the crew accommodation space shall be adequately insulated to prevent condensation or over-heating.

(6) Main steam and exhaust pipes for winches and similar gear shall not, in ships of 500 tons or over, pass through crew accommodation nor, whenever technically possible, through alley-ways leading to crew accommodation ; where they do pass through such alley-ways they shall be adequately insulated and encased. In the case of ships of less than 500 tons, main steam and exhaust pipes for winches and similar gear may pass through crew accommodation and through alley-ways leading to crew accommodation provided that they are adequately insulated and encased in those places.

(7) Inside panelling or sheeting shall be of material with a surface easily kept clean. Tongued and grooved boarding or any other form of construction likely to harbour vermin shall not be used.

(8) The wall surface and deckheads in sleeping rooms and mess rooms shall be capable of being easily kept clean, and, if painted, shall be light in colour ; lime wash must not be used.

(9) The wall surfaces shall be renewed or restored as necessary.

(10) The decks in all crew accommodation shall be of approved material and construction and shall provide a surface impervious to damp and easily kept clean.

(11) Where the floorings are of composition, the joinings with side shall be rounded to avoid crevices.

(12) Sufficient drainage shall be provided.

7.--(1) Sleeping rooms, mess rooms and the galley shall be adequately ventilated.

(2) The system of ventilation shall be controlled so as to maintain the air in a satisfactory condition and to ensure a sufficiency of air movement in all conditions of weather and climate.

(3) Ships regularly engaged on voyages in the tropics and the Persian Gulf shall be equipped with both mechanical means of ventilation and electric fans, but one only of these means need be adopted where this ensures satisfactory ventilation.

(4) Ships engaged outside the tropics shall be equipped with either mechanical means of ventilation or electric fans, but ships normally employed in the cold waters of the northern or southern hemispheres shall, subject to approval in each case, be exempt from this requirement.

(5) Power for the operation of the aids to ventilation required by paragraphs (3) and (4) of this Article shall, when practicable, be available at all times when the crew is living or working on board and conditions so require.

8.--(1) An adequate system of heating the crew accommodation shall be provided except in ships engaged exclusively in voyages in the tropics and the Persian Gulf.

(2) The heating system shall, when practicable, be in operation at all times when the crew is living or working on board and conditions require its use.

(3) In all ships in which a heating system is required, the heating shall be by means of steam, hot water, warm air or electricity.

(4) In any ships in which heating is provided by a stove, measures shall be taken to ensure that the stove is of sufficient size and is properly installed and guarded and that the air is not fouled.

(5) The heating system shall be capable of maintaining the temperature in crew accommodation at a satisfactory level under normal conditions of weather and climate likely to be met with on service ; the system shall be regarded as satisfactory if it is capable of maintaining a temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit when the temperature of the outside air is 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

(6) Radiators and other heating apparatus shall be so placed and, where necessary, shielded as to avoid risk of fire or danger or discomfort to the occupants.

9.--(1) Subject to such special arrangements as may be approved in passenger ships, sleeping rooms and mess rooms shall be properly lighted by natural light and shall be provided with adequate artificial light.

(2) All crew spaces shall be adequately lighted. The minimum standard for natural lighting in living rooms shall be such as to permit a person with normal vision to read on a clear day an ordinary newspaper in any part of the space available for free movement. When it is not possible to provide adequate natural lighting, artificial lighting of the foregoing minimum standard shall be provided.

(3) In all ships electric lights shall be provided in the crew accommodation. If there are not two independent sources of electricity for lighting, additional lighting shall be provided by properly constructed lamps or lighting apparatus for emergency use.

(4) Artificial lighting shall be so disposed as to give the maximum benefit to the occupants of the room.

(5) In sleeping rooms an electric reading lamp shall be installed at the head of each berth on ships of 500 tons or over.

10.--(1) Sleeping rooms shall be situated above the load line amidships or aft.

(2) In approved exceptional cases, if the size, type or intended service of the ship render any other location unreasonable or impracticable, sleeping rooms may be located in the fore part of the ship, but in no case forward of the collision bulkhead. In the case of ships of less than 500 tons, sleeping rooms may, subject to approval in each case, be situated forward of the collision bulkhead and below the loadline if any other location would be unreasonable or impracticable.

(3) In passenger ships, on condition that satisfactory arrangements are made for lighting and ventilation, sleeping rooms may be located below the load line, but in no case immediately beneath working alley-ways.

(4) The floor area per person of sleeping rooms intended for ratings shall be not less than--

(a) 15 square feet in ships under 300 tons ;

(b) 20 square feet in ships of 300 tons or over, but under 800 tons ;

(c) 25 square feet in ships of 800 tons or over, but under 3,000 tons ;

(d) 30 square feet in ships of 3,000 tons or over ;

but, in the case of passenger ships in which more than four ratings are berthed in one room, the minimum per person may be 24 square feet.

(5) In the case of ships in which are employed such groups of ratings as necessitate the employment of a substantially larger number of ratings than would otherwise be employed, the minimum floor area per person of sleeping rooms to be used by such groups may be reduced, subject to approval in each case and subject to the conditions that--

(a) the total sleeping space allotted to the group or groups is not less than would have been allotted had the numbers not been so increased, and

(b) the minimum floor area of sleeping rooms is not less than--

(i) 18 square feet per person in ships under 3,000 tons ;

(ii) 20 square feet per person in ships of 3,000 tons or over.

(6) Space occupied by berths and lockers, chests of drawers and seats shall be included in the measurement of the floor area. Small or irregularly shaped spaces which do not add effectively to the space available for free movement and cannot be used for installing furniture shall be excluded.

(7) The clear head room in crew sleeping rooms shall not be less than 7 feet in ships of 1,600 tons and over or 6 feet 6 inches in ships under 1,600 tons.

(8) There shall be a sufficient number of sleeping rooms to provide a separate room or rooms for each department, but this requirement may be departed from in the case of small ships, subject to approval in each case. For the purpose of this paragraph, indentured apprentices and cadets shall be treated as constituting a department.

(9) The number of persons allowed to occupy sleeping rooms shall not exceed the following maxima :

(a) officers in charge of a department, navigating and engineer officers in charge of a watch and senior radio officers or operators : one person per room ;

(b) other officers : one person per room wherever possible, and in no case more than two ;

(c) petty officers : one or two persons per room, and in no case more than two ;

(d) other ratings : two or three persons per room wherever possible, and in no case case more than four ;

but, in the case of any passenger ship as respects which an approval has been given in this behalf, not more than ten ratings may be accommodated per sleeping room. Such approval shall not be given save after consultation by the Minister with organisations of shipowners and seafarers.

(10) Ships of less than 500 tons shall, subject to approval in each case, be exempt from the requirements of paragraph (9) of this Article.

(11) The maximum number of persons to be accommodated in any sleeping room shall be indelibly and legibly marked in some place in the room where it can conveniently be seen. The marking shall be cut in on a beam inside the room and also either cut in or painted on or over the entrance.

(12) Members of the crew shall be provided with individual berths.

(13) Berths shall not be placed side by side in such a way that access to one berth can be obtained only over another.

(14) Berths shall not be arranged in tiers of more than two. Wherever possible, berths shall be placed inboard, but where it is found necessary to place them along the ship's side, there shall be only a single tier where a side light is situated above a berth.

(15) The lower berth in a double tier shall be not less than 15 inches above the floor ; the upper berth shall be placed approximately midway between the bottom of the lower berth and the lower side of the deckhead beams.

(16) The minimum inside dimensions of a berth shall be 6 feet 3 inches by 2 feet 3 inches.

(17) The frame work and the lee-board, if any, of a berth shall be of approved material, hard, smooth, and not likely to corrode or to harbour vermin.

(18) If tubular rames are used for the construction of berths, they shall be completely sealed and without perforations which would give access to vermin.

(19) Each berth shall be fitted with a spring bottom or a spring mattress and with a mattress of approved material. Stuffing of straw or other materials likely to harbour vermin shall not be used.

(20) When one berth is placed over another, a dust-proof bottom of wood, canvas or other suitable material shall be fitted beneath the spring bottom of the upper berth.

(21) Sleeping rooms shall be so planned and equipped as to ensure reasonable comfort for the occupants and to facilitate tidiness.

(22) The furniture shall include a clothes locker for each occupant. The clothes lockers shall be not less than 5 feet 6 inches in height and of a cross-section area of 300 square inches and shall be fitted with a shelf and a hasp for a padlock. The padlock shall be provided by the occupant. A drawer or equivalent space shall be provided for each occupant and shall be not less than 2 cubic feet.

(23) Each sleeping room shall be provided with a table or desk, which may be of the fixed, dropleaf or slide-out type, and with comfortable seating accommodation as necessary.

(24) The furniture shall be of smooth, hard material not liable to warp or corrode.

(25) Sleeping rooms shall be fitted with curtains for the sidelights.

(26) Sleeping rooms shall be fitted with a mirror, small cabinets for toilet requisites, a book rack and a sufficient number of coat hooks.

(27) As far as practicable, berthing of crew members shall be so arranged that watches are separated and that no daymen share a room with watch-keepers.

11.--(1) Sufficient mess room accommodation shall be provided in all ships.

(2) In ships of 300 tons or over, but under 500 tons, one mess room shall be provided.

(3) In ships of 500 tons or over but under 1,000 tons, separate mess room accommodation shall be provided for--

(a) master and officers ;

(b) petty officers and other ratings.

(4) In ships of 1,000 tons and over, separate mess room accommodation shall be provided for--

(a) master and officers ;

(b) deck department petty officers and other ratings ;

(c) engine department petty officers and other ratings ;

but--

(i) one of the two mess rooms for the petty officers and other ratings may be allotted to the petty officers and the other to the other ratings ;

(ii) a single mess room may be provided for deck and engine department petty officers and other ratings in cases in which the organisations of shipowners and the recognised bona fide trade unions of sea-farers concerned (or such organisations and trade unions and the shipowners concerned, or such shipowners and such trade unions) have expressed a preference for such an arrangement.

(5) Adequate mess room accommodation shall be provided for the catering department, either by the provision of a separate mess room or by giving them the right to the use of the mess rooms assigned to other groups ; in the case of ships of 5,000 tons or over with more than five persons in the catering department, consideration shall be given to the provision of a separate mess room.

(6) The dimensions and equipment of each mess room shall be sufficient for the number of persons likely to use it at any one time.

(7) Mess rooms shall be equipped with tables and seats sufficient for the number of persons likely to use them at any one time. Tables shall be at least 24 inches wide where seats are fitted on each side and at least 15 inches wide where only one side is used. They shall be efficiently constructed and shall provide a dining space of at least 20 inches per person. Seats shall be not less than 15 inches wide and fitted with back rests reasonably sloped for comfort. For seamen and firemen, sparred hardwood seats shall be fitted.

(8) Subject to approval in each case, such departures may be made from the foregoing provisions concerning mess room accommodation as may be necessary to meet the special conditions in passenger ships.

(9) Mess rooms shall be located apart from the sleeping rooms but ships under 300 tons in which the provision of separate mess room accommodation would be unreasonable or impracticable shall, subject to approval in each case, be exempt from this requirement.

(10) Where available pantries are not accessible to mess rooms, adequate lockers for mess utensils fitted with staples to take padlocks and proper facilities for washing utensils shall be provided. In ships where the men provide their own food, each man shall be provided with a locker of such size and construction and so placed that a sufficient quantity of food can be kept in good condition for several days.

(11) The tops of tables and seats shall be of damp-resisting material, without cracks and capable of being easily cleaned.

(12) For the purposes of this Article, indentured apprentices and cadets shall be treated as officers.

12.--(1) The galley shall be located, where possible, on the upper deck and as close as practicable to mess rooms so that meals are served hot.

(2) The galley shall be constructed of steel or other approved material. The floor shall be of approved non-slip material with surrounding gutters leading to scuppers on each side for discharge overboard.

(3) The dimensions and equipment of the galley shall be sufficient to cater for the total personnel carried and to permit reasonable freedom of movement for the catering staff while engaged in the preparation and cooking of meals.

(4) The following equipment shall be provided in the galley :

(a) an efficient range with an oven of ample capacity for cooking and baking for the total number of crew ;

(b) an efficient hot plate to keep meals hot for relief members of the crew ;

(c) a sink at least 30"x18"x15" deep of stainless steel or other approved material ; hot and cold fresh water taps to be fitted over sink ; the scupper pipe leading from sink to a sludge box in the galley floor to be not less than 2½" in diameter ; a portable sludge strainer to be fitted over the drain in the sink ;

(d) a heavy portable chopping and cutting board ;

(e) a baking board and a dough trough of hard-wood or other approved material ;

(f) a dust-tight coal box, if the range is coal fired, capable of being filled from outside the galley ;

(g) an efficient steam-proof clock.

(5) The galley shall be provided with cooking utensils, shelves, racks, cupboards, seating and serving spaces which shall be adequate having regard to the personnel carried.

(6) (i) Cold fresh water and hot fresh water for culinary purposes shall be available in the galley for draw off by taps fitted over sink. The hot water system shall be incorporated in the main range or alternatively by means of an independent small boiler.

(ii) Where a drinking water supply is not laid on to the mess-rooms, a spring loaded drinking water tap for the use of the crew shall be provided.

(iii) A salt water supply shall also be available in the galley for scouring out the floor.

(7) A separate room fitted with shelves and table shall be provided for the storage of foodstuffs and shall be located as close as practicable to the galley.

(8) An efficient refrigerating room, located as close as practicable to the galley, shall be provided in the case of all foreign-going ships on voyages exceeding seven consecutive days at sea and shall be of ample capacity for storing all perishable foodstuffs intended for consumption during the voyage.

(9) Where the galley is fitted with an oil-fired range, special approved fire-prevention or fire-retarding measures shall be taken if fuel oil has to be heated for cooking purposes.

13.--(1) In all ships a space or spaces to which the crew can have access when off duty shall be provided on an open deck ; the space or spaces shall be of adequate area, having regard to the size of the ship and the crew.

(2) Recreation accommodation, conveniently situated and appropriately furnished, shall be provided for officers and for ratings. Where this is not provided separately from the mess rooms, the latter shall be planned, furnished and equipped to give recreational facilities.

14.--(1) Sufficient sanitary accommodation, including wash basins and baths, whether tub or shower, shall be provided in all ships.

(2) The following minimum number of separate water closets shall be provided :

(a) in ships of under 800 tons--three ;

(b) in ships of 800 tons or over, but under 3,000 tons--four ;

(c) in ships of 3,000 tons or over-six ;

(d) in ships where the radio officers or operators are accommodated in an isolated position, sanitary facilities near or adjacent thereto shall be provided.

(3) Subject to paragraph (4) of this Article, separate sanitary accommodation shall be provided for each of the following groups :

(a) officers (including the master, if he has not separate accommodation) ;

(b) petty officers ;

(c) indentured apprentices and cadets (where they do not use the same accommodation as officers) ;

(d) other ratings ;

but different arrangements may be made in ships of under 500 tons subject to approval in each case.

(4) Sanitary facilities for all members of the crew who do not occupy rooms to which private facilities are attached shall be provided for each group of the crew on the following scale :

(a) one bath, whether tub or shower, for every eight persons or less ;

(b) one water closet for every eight persons or less ;

(c) one wash basin for every six persons or less ;

but when the number of persons in a group exceeds an even multiple of the specified number by less than one half of the specified number, this surplus may be ignored for the purpose of this paragraph.

(5) When the total number of the crew exceeds 100 and in passenger vessels normally engaged on voyages of not more than four hours duration, special arrangements or a reduction in the number of facilities may be made, subject to approval in each case.

(6) Cold fresh water and hot fresh water or means of heating water shall be available in all communal wash places. The amount of fresh water available shall be at a rate not less than ten gallons per man per day for washing purposes.

(7) Wash basins and tub baths shall be of adequate size and constructed of approved material with a smooth surface not liable to crack, flake or corrode.

(8) All water closets shall have ventilation to the open air, independently of any other part of the accommodation.

(9) All water closets shall be of the single pedestal type of glased stoneware or enamelled iron fitted with movable side pads of approved material, the pads to be 4 inches apart in front and shall be provided with an ample flush of water, available at all times and independently controllable.

(10) Soil pipes and waste pipes shall be not less than 4 inches in the clear and shall be so constructed as to minimise the risk of obstruction and to facilitate cleaning.

(11) Sanitary accommodation intended for the use of more than one person shall comply with the following requirements :

(a) floors shall be of approved durable material, easily cleaned and impervious to damp, and shall be properly drained ;

(b) bulkheads shall be of steel or other approved material and shall be watertight up to at least nine inches above the level of the deck ;

(c) the accommodation shall be sufficiently lighted, heated and ventilated ;

(d) water closets shall be situated convenient to, but separate from, sleeping rooms and wash rooms, without direct access from the sleeping rooms or from a passage between sleeping rooms and water closets to which there is no other access, but this requirement shall not apply where a water closet is located in a compartment between two sleeping rooms having a total of not more than four persons ;

(e) where there is more than one water closet in a compartment, they shall be separated by partitions (which may be open top and bottom) and shall be provided with doors to ensure privacy.

(12) In all ships facilities for washing and drying clothes shall be provided on a scale appropriate to the size of the crew and the normal duration of the voyage.

(13) The facilities for washing clothes shall include suitable sinks (which may be installed in wash rooms, if separate laundry accommodation is not reasonably practicable) with an adequate supply of cold fresh water and hot fresh water or means of heating water.

(14) The facilities for drying clothes shall be provided in a compartment (separate from sleeping rooms, mess rooms and the galley) adequately ventilated and heated and equipped with lines or other fittings for hanging clothes.

15.--(1) In any ship carrying a crew of fifteen or more and engaged in a voyage of more than three days' duration, separate hospital accommodation shall be provided, but in the case of ships engaged in the coastal trade, departure may be made from this provision, subject to approval in each case.

(2) The hospital accommodation shall be suitably situated, so that it is easy of access and so that the occupants may be comfortably housed and may receive proper attention in all weathers.

(3) The arrangement of the entrance, berths, lighting, ventilation, heating and water supply shall be designed to ensure the comfort and facilitate the treatment of the occupants. The entrance shall be of such width and in such position as to admit a stretcher case readily. The lighting shall be provided by side scuttles on two sides where practicable, or skylights as large as possible, and by electric light, including a portable electric lamp.

(4) The hospital accommodation shall include--

(a) a clothes locker,

(b) a wash basin,

(c) a hinged table,

(d) a seat,

(e) a small box cover suitable for a bed pan to slide under.

(5) The minimum number of hospital berths shall be :

(a) if the crew is 30 or less in number--one ;

(b) if the crew is more than 30 in number--two.

(6) Hospital berths shall be in single tiers not less than 3 feet apart. Additional berths may be fitted above them, but they shall be removable or hinged. At least one berth in single tier shall be arranged so that it can be made accessible from both sides when necessary.

(7) There shall be provided in respect of each hospital berth--

(a) a water bottle and tumbler,

(b) a suitable locker within easy reach of the berth.

(8) Water closet accommodation shall be provided for the exclusive use of the occupants of the hospital accommodation, either as part of the accommodation or in close proximity thereto.

(9) In ships not carrying a medical officer, the hospital accommodation shall be within easy access of the master's or chief steward's accommodation.

(10) Hospital accommodation shall not be used for other purposes. It shall have a smooth internal surface and the floor shall be of solid impervious material, drained to one corner and rounded at the sides to facilitate cleaning.

(11) A suitable medicine chest with readily understandable instructions shall be carried in every ship which does not carry a doctor.

16.--(1) Sufficiently and adequately ventilated accommodation for the hanging of oilskins shall be provided outside but convenient to the sleeping rooms.

(2) In ships of over 3,000 tons, one room for the deck department and one room for the engine department shall be provided and equipped for use as an office.

(3) In ships regularly trading to mosquito-infested ports, provision shall be made to protect the crews' quarters against the admission of mosquitos by the fitting of suitable screens to side scuttles, ventilators and doors to the open deck.

(4) All ships trading regularly to or in the tropics and the Persian Gulf shall be equipped with awnings for use over exposed decks above crew accommodation and over recreation deck space or spaces.

17.--(1) In the case of the ships mentioned in paragraph (5) of Article 10 of these Regulations and in respect of the members of the crew there referred to, the requirements laid down in the foregoing Articles may be departed from, subject to approval in each case, as far as may be necessary to take account of the distinctive national habits and customs of those members and, in particular, special arrangements may be made concerning the number of persons occupying sleeping rooms and concerning mess room and sanitary facilities.

(2) Any such departure from the said requirements shall have regard to the specifications set forth in paragraphs (1) and (2) of Article 10 of these Regulations and the minimum sleeping space requirements prescribed for such groups of ratings in paragraph (5) of the said Article 10.

(3) In ships in which the crew in any department are persons of widely different national habits and customs, separate and appropriate sleeping and living accommodation shall be provided as may be necessary to meet the requirements of the different groups.

(4) In the case of the ships mentioned in paragraph (5) of Article 10 of these Regulations, the hospital, dining, bathing and sanitary facilities shall be provided and maintained on a standard, in regard to their quantity and practical usefulness, equal or comparable to that which obtains aboard all other ships of similar type.

18.--(1) Crew accommodation shall be maintained in a clean and decently habitable condition and shall be kept free of goods and stores not the personal property of the occupants.

(2) The master, or an officer specially deputed for the purpose by him, accompanied by one or more members of the crew, shall inspect all crew accommodation at intervals of not more than one week. Any such inspection of spaces and equipment used for the storage and handling of food and water, including the galley and other equipment for the preparation and service of meals, shall be carried out in the presence of a responsible member of the catering department. The results of each such inspection shall be recorded in the ship's official log book.

(3) If an occupant of any crew space fails to maintain the space in a proper condition, disciplinary action shall be taken against him in accordance with the agreement with the crew.

PART IV. SPECIAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE WITH RESPECT TO EXISTING SHIPS AND ON CERTAIN RE-REGISTRATIONS.

19. In the case of a ship which is fully complete on the commencement of these Regulations and which is below the standard set by Part III of these Regulations, when--

(a) the ship is re-registered, or

(b) substantial structural alterations or major repairs are made as a result of long range plans and not as a result of an accident or emergency,

there shall be made, after consultation with organisations of ship-owners and seafarers, such alterations for the purpose of bringing the ship into conformity with the requirements of these Regulations as may be approved and are reasonable having regard to the practical problems involved.

20. In the case of a ship in the process of building or reconversion on the commencement of these Regulations, there shall be made, after consultation with organisations of shipowners and seafarers, such alterations for the purpose of bringing the ship into conformity with the requirements of these Regulations as may be approved and are possible having regard to the practical problems involved and the alterations so made shall constitute final compliance with these Regulations unless and until the ship is re-registered.

21. On re-registration of a ship, not being a ship referred to in Article 19 or Article 20 of these Regulations or a ship to which the requirements of these Regulations, or the requirements of the law of another State similar to the requirements of these Regulations, were applicable while she was under construction, there shall be made, after consultation with organisations of shipowners and seafarers, such alterations for the purpose of bringing the ship into conformity with the requirements of these Regulations as may be approved and are possible having regard to the practical problems involved and the alterations so made shall constitute final compliance with these Regulations unless and until the ship is re-registered again.

PART V. MISCELLANEOUS.

22.--(1) A surveyor of ships shall be permitted to inspect a ship at all reasonable times for the purpose of ascertaining whether the crew accommodation complies with these Regulations.

(2) On every occasion when--

(a) a ship is registered or re-registered,

(b) the crew accommodation of a ship has been substantially altered or reconstructed, or

(c) complaint has been made in writing to a surveyor of ships or the superintendent of a mercantile marine office and in time to prevent any delay to the ship by a recognised bona fide trade union of seafarers representing all or part of the crew or by three or more members of the crew of the ship that the crew accommodation is not in compliance with these Regulations,

a surveyor of ships shall inspect the ship and ascertain whether the crew accommodation complies with these Regulations.

23. Where the provisions of these Regulations corresponding to the provisions of section 210 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, as amended by section 64 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1906, apply in relation to a ship, they shall have effect in lieu of the latter provisions and, accordingly, in any measurement or re-measurement of such ship for the purpose of ascertaining her register tonnage, the space which, pursuant to section 79 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, is to be deducted in respect of space occupied by seamen or apprentices and appropriated to their use shall be any space so occupied and appropriated which conforms to the requirements of these Regulations.

24. A copy of these Regulations shall be kept available at every mercantile marine office for inspection, free of charge, by shipowners and seafarers.

25. Nothing in these Regulations shall affect any law, award, custom or agreement between shipowners and seafarers which ensures more favourable conditions than those provided for by these Regulations.

26. Where any requirement of these Regulations is not complied with, the ship may be detained by any officer of customs and excise or officer of the Minister, and any officer of customs and excise may refuse to grant a clearance or transire to the ship until he is satisfied that the requirement has been complied with.

GIVEN under my Official Seal, this 17th day of April, 1951.

T. F. O'HIGGINS,

Minister for Industry and Commerce.