S.I. No. 301/1983:

MERCHANT SHIPPING (CARGO SHIP CONSTRUCTION AND SURVEY) RULES, 1983.

MERCHANT SHIPPING (CARGO SHIP CONSTRUCTION AND SURVEY) RULES, 1983.

I, JAMES MITCHELL, Minister for Transport, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 3 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1966 (No. 20 of 1966), the Transport, Fuel and Power (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order, 1959 ( S.I. No. 125 of 1959 ), and the Tourism and Transport (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order, 1980 ( S.I. No. 11 of 1980 ), hereby make the following rules:

PART I --GENERAL

1. (1) These Rules may be cited as the Merchant Shipping (Cargo Ship Construction and Survey) Rules, 1983, and shall come into operation on the 1st day of December, 1983.

(2) In these Rules--

" 'A' Class division" means a bulkhead or part of a deck which is--

( a ) constructed of steel or other equivalent material;

( b ) suitably stiffened;

( c ) so constructed as to be capable of preventing the passage of smoke and flame to the end of the 60 minute standard fire test; and

( d ) so insulated where necessary with suitable non-combustible materials that if the division is exposed to a standard fire test the average temperature on the unexposed side of the division shall not increase more than 139°C above the initial temperature, nor shall the temperature at any one point, including any joint, rise more than 180°C above the initial temperature within the time listed below:

A60 standard 60 minutes

A15 standard 15 minutes

A0 standard 0 minutes;

"accommodation spaces" means passenger spaces, corridors, lavatories, cabins, offices, crew spaces, barbers shops, pantries not containing cooking appliances and lockers, and similar spaces;

"anniversary date" means the date in each year corresponding to the date of expiry of the cargo ship safety construction certificate;

" 'B' Class division of B0 standard" means a bulkhead, ceiling or lining which is--

( a ) so constructed as to be capable of preventing the passage of flame to the end of the first 30 minutes of the standard fire test; and

( b ) constructed of suitable non-combustible materials, and in relation to which all materials the use of which is necessary for or ancillary to its construction and erection are non-combustible;

" 'B' Class panel" means a panel complying with the requirements of Rule 12 of these Rules;

"bulkhead deck" means the deck up to which the majority of transverse watertight bulkheads are carried;

" 'C' Class division" means a bulkhead, ceiling or lining which is constructed of suitable non-combustible materials not being an 'A' Class division or a 'B' Class division of B0 standard;

"cargo control station" means a space from which the loading, discharging or transferring of any oil cargo may be controlled;

"cargo pump room" means a room in which any pumps used for loading, discharging or transferring oil cargoes are located;

"certifying authority" means the Minister or any person authorised by the Minister to issue a cargo ship safety construction certificate;

"continuous 'B' Class ceiling or lining" means a 'B' Class ceiling or lining which terminates only at an 'A' Class or 'B' Class division;

"control stations" means spaces in which radio or main navigating equipment, or the emergency source of power, or the central fire recording or fire control equipment are located;

"deadweight" means the difference in tonnes between the displacement of a ship at the summer load waterline and the lightweight of the ship;

"equivalent material" where the words are used in the expression "steel or other equivalent material" means any material which, by itself or due to insulation provided, has structural and integrity properties equivalent to steel at the end of an appropriate fire test;

"lightweight" means the displacement of a ship in tonnes without cargo, oil fuel, lubricating oil, ballast and fresh water in tanks, stores and crew and their effects;

"machinery control room" means a room from which the propelling machinery and boilers serving the needs of propulsion may be controlled;

"machinery space of Category A" means any space which contains--

(i) internal combustion type machinery used either for main propulsion purposes, or for other purposes where such machinery has in the aggregate a total power output of not less than 373 kW, or

(ii) any oil-fired boiler or oil fuel unit, and trunks to such spaces;

"machinery space" means any machinery space of Category A and any other space containing propelling machinery, boilers, oil fuel units, steam and internal combustion engines, generators and major electrical machinery, oil filling stations, refrigerating, stabilizing, ventilation and air conditioning machinery, and similar spaces; and trunks to such spaces:

"maximum service speed" means the greatest speed which the ship is designed to maintain at sea at her deepest seagoing draught;

"Marine Notice" means a Notice described as such issued by the Department of Transport;

"the Minister" means the Minister for Transport;

"navigable speed" means the minimum speed at which the ship can be effectively steered in the ahead direction;

"non-combustible material" means a material which when heated to a temperature of 750°C neither flames for longer than 10 seconds duration, nor raises either its internal temperature or the temperature of the test furnace more than 50°C above 750°C when tested in accordance with British Standard 476: Part 4: 1970, and "combustible material" shall be construed accordingly;

"oil fuel unit" means the equipment used for the preparation of oil fuel for delivery to an oil fired boiler or equipment used for the preparation for delivery of heated oil to an internal combustion engine and includes any oil pressure pumps, filters and heaters dealing with oil at a pressure greater than 1·8 bar guage;

"pleasure craft" means a vessel primarily used for sport or recreation;

"proper officer" means an Irish consul, a superintendent of the Mercantile Marine Office or any officer in a port in the State exercising the functions of such a superintendent;

"Reid vapour pressure" means the vapour pressure of a liquid as determined by laboratory testing in a standard manner in the Reid apparatus;

"service space" includes galleys, pantries containing cooking appliances, laundries, store rooms, workshops other than those forming part of machinery spaces, and similar spaces, and trunks to such spaces;

"settling tank" means an oil storage tank having a heating surface of not less than 0.183 square metre per tonne of oil capacity;

"standard fire test" means a test in which a specimen of the relevant 'A' Class or 'B' Class division having an exposed surface area of not less than 4.65 square metres and a bulkhead height or deck length of 2.44 metres resembling as closely as possible the intended construction and including where appropriate at least one joint, is exposed in a test furnace to a series of time temperature relationships, approximately as follows:--

at the end of the first 5 minutes 538°C

at the end of the first 10 minutes 704°C

at the end of the first 30 minutes 843°C

at the end of the first 60 minutes 927°C;

"steering gear power unit" means--

( a ) in the case of electric steering gear, the electric motor and its associated electrical equipment; or

( b ) in the case of electro-hydraulic steering gear, the electric motor, its associated electrical equipment and connected pump; or

( c ) in the case of steam-hydraulic or pneumatic-hydraulic steering gear, the driving engine and connected pump;

"suitable", in relation to material, means approved by the Minister as suitable for the purpose for which it is used;

"surface spread of flame" means the surface spread of flame classified as Class 1, Class 2 or Class 3 within the meaning of British Standard 476: Part 7:1971;

"surveyor", for the purposes of Part IV of these Rules, means a surveyor appointed by a certifying authority; and, for the purposes of Part V of these Rules, means a marine surveyor of the Department of Transport;

"tanker" means a cargo ship constructed or adapted for the carriage in bulk of liquid cargoes of a flammable nature;

"tons" means gross tons and the gross tonnage of a ship having alternative gross tonnages shall be taken to be the larger of those tonnages;

"upper deck" means the uppermost complete deck exposed to the sea and weather fitted as an integral part of the ship's structure, being a deck, openings in the weather portions of which are fitted with permanent means of closing and below which all openings in the sides of the ship are fitted with permanent means of watertight closing.

(3) ( a ) Subject to paragraphs (4) and (6) of this Rule, Parts I, II, IV, VI and VII of these Rules apply in relation to ships (except passenger ships, troopships, pleasure craft and fishing vessels and ships not propelled by mechanical means) which are seagoing ships registered in the State of 500 tons or over.

( b ) Subject to paragraphs (4) and (6) of this Rule, Parts I, II, VI and VII of these Rules apply in relation to all other sea-going ships of 500 tons or over (except passenger ships, troopships, pleasure craft and fishing vessels and ships not propelled by mechanical means) while they are within the State or the territorial waters thereof.

(4) ( a ) Subject to paragraph (6) of this Rule, Rule 3, except paragraph (1), Rules 5 to 19 inclusive, Rule 20(2), Rule 25(2), Rule 27(2)(c) and (d), Rule 31, Rule 32 except paragraph (1), Rule 34 and Rule 36(2) shall not apply to any ship the keel of which was laid before the 14th day of May, 1967;

( b ) Subject to paragraph (6) of this Rule, Rule 4(2) shall apply only to ships registered in the State the keels of which were laid or were at a similar stage of construction on or after the commencement of these Rules;

( c ) Subject to paragraph (6) of this Rule, Section III of Part II of these Rules shall apply only to ships registered in the State the keels of which are laid or are at a similar stage of construction on or after the commencement of these Rules.

(5) In relation to tankers carrying crude oil and petroleum products having a closed flashpoint not exceeding 60°C, and the Reid vapour pressure of which is below that of atmospheric pressure, or carrying other liquids having a similar fire hazard, which are--

( a ) sea-going tankers registered in the State of 500 tons or over, these Rules except Rules 11 to 19 shall apply where the keels were laid or were at a similar stage of construction on or after the commencement of these Rules, or where they were converted into or adapted to be tankers carrying such products on or after such commencement; and

( b ) sea-going tankers of 500 tons or over while they are within the State or the territorial waters thereof, these Rules except Rules 11 to 19 shall apply where the keels were laid or were at a similar stage of construction on or after the commencement of these Rules, or where they were converted into or adapted to be tankers carrying such products on or after such commencement.

6. The Minister may grant exemptions from all or any of the provisions of these Rules (as may be specified in the exemption) for classes of cases on such terms (if any) as he may so specify and may, subject to giving reasonable notice, alter or cancel any such exemption.

7. The Merchant Shipping (Cargo Ship Construction and Survey) Rules, 1967 ( S.I. No. 99 of 1967 ), are hereby revoked.

PART II --CONSTRUCTION

Section I

2.The structural strength of every ship to which these Rules apply and the number and disposition of transverse watertight bulkheads shall be adequate for the service for which the ship is intended.

3. (1) In every ship to which these Rules apply in which a watertight door is provided to maintain the watertight integrity of a bulkhead, every such watertight door shall be made of suitable material and shall be efficiently constructed for its intended duty.

(2) ( a ) Every watertight door of the sliding type shall be capable of being operated by efficient hand operated gear both at the door itself and from an accessible position above the bulkhead deck.

( b ) The operating gear for operating from above the bulkhead deck any sliding watertight door fitted in the bulkhead of a machinery space shall be situated outside the machinery space unless such a position is inconsistent with the efficient arrangement of the necessary gearing.

(3) Where there is access from the lower part of a machinery space to a watertight shaft tunnel the access opening shall be provided with a sliding watertight door which shall be capable of being operated locally from both sides of the door.

(4) Means shall be provided at remote operating positions to indicate when a sliding door is closed.

(5) Watertight doors shall be capable of being operated when the ship is listed up to 15 degrees either way.

4. (1) Every ship to which these Rules apply shall be provided with efficient bilge pumping plant and means for drainage so arranged that water entering any part of the hull, up to the bulkhead deck, other than a space permanently appropriated for the carriage of fresh water, water ballast, oil fuel or liquid cargo and for which other efficient means of pumping or drainage are provided, can be pumped out through at least one suction pipe when the ship is on an even keel or is listed not more than 5 degrees either way. Wing suctions shall be provided where necessary for this purpose. Efficient means shall be provided whereby water may easily flow to the suction pipes:

Provided that the Minister may allow the means of pumping or drainage to be dispensed with in particular compartments of any class of ships, if he is satisfied that the safety of that class of ship is not thereby impaired.

(2) Provision shall be made for the drainage of enclosed cargo spaces situated on the bulkhead deck of any ship: provided that the Minister may permit the means of drainage to be dispensed with in any particular compartments of any class of ships, if he is satisfied that, by reason of the size or internal subdivision of those spaces, the safety of that class of ship is not thereby impaired. Where the freeboard to the bulkhead deck is such that the deck edge is not immersed when the ship heels 5 degrees either way, the required drainage shall be by means of a suitable number and size of deck scuppers discharging directly overboard fitted in accordance with paragraph 12 of the Fourth Schedule to the Merchant Shipping (Load Line) Rules 1968 ( S.I. No. 205 of 1968 ). In all other cases, internal drainage shall be led to a suitable space or spaces of adequate capacity, having a high water level alarm and provided with suitable arrangements for discharge overboard.

5. (1) In every ship to which these Rules apply, the electrical equipment and installations, including any electrical means of propulsion, shall be such that the ship and all persons on board are protected against electrical hazards.

(2) Every such ship, being a ship in which electrical power is the only power for maintaining auxiliary services essential for the propulsion or safety of the ship, shall be provided with two or more generating sets of such power that the aforesaid services can be operated when any one of the sets is out of service.

(3) Where the electrical load includes services essential for the propulsion or safety of the ship and the normal sea load is such that two or more generators are required to operate in parallel, arrangements shall be made to trip automatically sufficient non-essential load when the total current exceeds the connected generator capacity.

SHIPS OF 5,000 TONS OR OVER

6. (1) In every ship to which these Rules apply, being a ship of 5,000 tons or over, there shall be provided in a position above the uppermost continuous deck and outside the machinery casings a self-contained emergency source of electrical power so arranged as to ensure its functioning in the event of fire or other casualty causing failure of the main electrical installation.

(2) In every such ship the emergency source of electrical power required by paragraph (1) of this rule shall be capable of operating simultaneously for a period of at least 6 hours the following services;

( a ) the emergency lighting required by Rule 49(3)(a) and 49(3)(b) of the Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances) Rules, 1983 ( S.I. No. 302 of 1983 );

( b ) an emergency lighting system which shall be provided in the main machinery space, the space containing the ship's main electric generating plant, on the navigating bridge and in the chartroom;

( c ) the general alarm, if electrically operated;

( d ) the ship's navigation lights if solely electric; and

( e ) the daylight signalling lamp if it is operated by the ship's main source of electrical power.

(3) ( a ) In every such ship the emergency source of electrical power shall be either accumulator (storage) batteries capable of complying with the requirements of paragraph (2) of this rule without being recharged or suffering an excessive voltage drop or a generator driven by internal combustion type machinery with an independent fuel supply and with efficient starting arrangements, and the fuel provided for such machinery shall have a flash point of not less than 43°C.

( b ) The emergency source of electrical power shall be so arranged that it will operate efficiently when the ship is listed 22½ degrees and when the trim of the ship is 10 degrees from an even keel.

( c ) Provision shall be made for the periodical testing of the emergency source of electrical power and its associated circuits.

SHIPS OF 1,600 TONS OR OVER BUT UNDER 5,000 TONS

7. (1) In every ship to which these Rules apply, being a ship of 1,600 tons or over but of under 5,000 tons, there shall be provided in a position above the uppermost continuous deck or raised quarter-deck and outside the machinery casings a self-contained emergency source of electrical power so arranged as to ensure its functioning in the event of fire or other casualty causing failure of the main electrical installation.

(2) In every such ship the emergency source of electrical power required by paragraph (1) of this Rule shall be capable of operating simultaneously for a period of at least 3 hours the following services:--

( a ) the emergency lighting required by Rule 49(3)(a) and 49(3)(b) of the Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances) Rules, 1983;

(b) the general alarm, if electrically operated;

(c) the ship's navigation lights if solely electric.

(3) (a) In every such ship the emergency source of electrical power shall be either accumulator (storage) batteries capable of complying with the requirements of the preceding paragraph without being recharged or suffering an excessive voltage drop or a generator driven by internal combustion type machinery with an independent fuel supply and with efficient starting arrangements, and the fuel provided for such machinery shall have a flash point of not less than 43°C.

(b) The emergency source of electrical power shall be so arranged that it will operate efficiently when the ship is listed 22½ degrees and when the trim of the ship is 10 degrees from an even keel.

(c) Provision shall be made for the periodical testing of the emergency source of electrical power and its associated circuits.

SHIPS OF UNDER 1,600 TONS

8. (1) In every ship to which these Rules apply, being a ship of under 1,600 tons not having its main source of electrical power situated above the uppermost continuous deck or raised quarter deck and outside the machinery casings, there shall be provided in a position above the uppermost continuous deck or raised quarter deck and outside the machinery casings a self-contained emergency source of electrical power so arranged as to ensure its functioning in the event of fire or other casualty causing failure of the main electrical installation.

(2) In every such ship the emergency source of electrical power required by paragraph (1) of this Rule shall be capable of operating simultaneously for a period of at least 3 hours the following services:

(a) the emergency lighting required by Rule 49(3)(a) of the Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances) Rules, 1983;

(b) the general alarm, if electrically operated;

(c) the ship's navigation lights if solely electric.

(3) (a) In every such ship the emergency source of electrical power shall be either accumulator (storage) batteries capable of complying with the requirements of the preceding paragraph without being recharged or suffering an excessive voltage drop or a generator driven by internal combustion type machinery with an independent fuel supply and with efficient starting arrangements, and the fuel provided for such machinery shall have a flash point of not less than 43°C.

(b) The emergency source of electrical power shall be so arranged that it will operate efficiently when the ship is listed 22½ degrees and when the trim of the ship is 10 degrees from an even keel.

(c) Provision shall be made for the periodical testing of the emergency source of electrical power and its associated circuits.

9. (1) Every ship to which these Rules apply which is fitted with electric or electro-hydraulic steering gear shall be provided with indicators which will show when the power units of such steering gear are running. These indicators shall be situated in the machinery control room or in such other position or positions as the certifying authority may approve, and on the navigating bridge.

(2) In every such ship of 5,000 tons or over the following provisions shall apply:--

(a) electric and electro-hydraulic steering gear shall be served by two circuits fed from the main switchboard, one of which may pass through the emergency switchboard, if one is provided. Each circuit shall have adequate capacity for supplying all the motors which are normally connected to it and which operate simultaneously, and if transfer arrangements are provided in the steering gear room to permit either circuit to supply any motor or combination of motors, the capacity of each circuit shall be adequate for the most severe load conditions. The circuits shall be separated as widely as is practicable throughout their length;

(b) only short circuit protection shall be provided for such circuits and motors.

(3) In every such ship of under 5,000 tons in which electrical power is the sole source of power for both main and auxiliary steering gear, the arrangements shall comply with the requirements of the preceding paragraph, except that if the auxiliary steering gear is powered by a motor primarily intended for other services, suitable overload protection shall be fitted. Only short circuit protection shall be provided for the motors and power circuits of any electrically or electro-hydraulically operated main steering gear fitted in any ship of less than 5,000 tons.

10. (1) In every ship to which these Rules apply all electrical equipment shall be so constructed and installed that there will be no danger of injury to any person handling it in a proper manner. Subject to the provisions of paragraph (2) of this Rule, where electrical equipment supplied as ship's equipment is to be operated at a voltage in excess of 55 volts, the exposed metal parts of such equipment which are not intended to have a voltage above that of earth, but which may have such a voltage under fault conditions, shall be earthed.

(2) Exposed metal parts of portable electric lamps, tools and similar apparatus, supplied as ships' equipment to be operated at a voltage in excess of 55 volts, shall be earthed through a conductor in the supply cable, unless by the use of double insulation or a suitable isolating transformer protection at least as effective as earthing through a conductor is provided. When electric lamps, tools or other apparatus are used in damp spaces, provision shall be made, so far as practicable, to ensure that the danger of electric shock is reduced to a minimum.

(3) Every main and emergency switchboard shall be so arranged as to give easy access to the back and the front thereof without danger to any person. Every such switchboard shall be suitably guarded and a non-conducting mat or grating shall be provided at the back and the front where necessary. No exposed parts which may have a voltage between conductors or to earth exceeding 250 volts direct current or 55 volts alternating current shall be installed on the face of any switchboard or control panel.

(4) The hull return system of distribution shall not be used in any ship to which these Rules apply, but the Minister may exempt such class of ship as may be specified in the exemption (other than a tanker) from this rule.

(5) In every ship to which these Rules apply every electric cable shall, at every position at which an electrical fault may cause a fire, be flame-retardant sheathed or armoured or otherwise equally effectively protected. All metal sheaths and metal armour of electric cable in every such ship shall be electrically continuous and shall be earthed.

(6) In every such ship lighting fittings shall be arranged to prevent rises in temperature which would be injurious to the electric wiring thereof or which would result in a risk of fire in the surrounding material.

(7) In every such ship electric wiring shall be supported in such a manner as to avoid chafing and other injury.

(8) Every separate electrical circuit shall be protected against short circuit.

(9) In every such ship each separate electrical circuit, other than a circuit which operates the ship's steering gear or any other circuit of a class in respect of which the Minister grants an exemption, shall be protected against overload. There shall be clearly and permanently indicated on or near each overload protective device the current carrying capacity of the circuit which it protects and the rating or setting of the device.

(10). In every such ship all accumulator (storage) batteries shall be housed in boxes or compartments which are constructed to protect the batteries from damage and are ventilated to minimise the accumulation of explosive gas. Devices liable to arc shall not be installed in any compartment assigned principally to accumulator batteries.

(11) Every electric space-heater forming part of the equipment of such a ship shall be fixed in position and shall be so constructed as to reduce the risk of fire to a minimum. No such heater shall be constructed with an element so exposed that clothing, curtains, or other material can be scorched or set on fire by heat from the element.

11. Rules 12 to 18 shall (subject to the provisions of Rules 1(4)(a) and 1(5) of these Rules) apply to ships of 4,000 tons or over.

12. Where a bulkhead is required by these Rules to be constructed of 'B' Class panels, such panels shall be capable of preventing the passage of flame throughout a standard fire test of 30 minutes duration. Every 'B' Class panel shall be such that if either face thereof is exposed to a standard fire test of 30 minutes duration, the average temperature on the unexposed face of the panel will not increase at any time during the first 15 minutes of the test in the case of a non-combustible panel or the duration of the test in the case of a combustible panel by more than 139°C above the initial temperature on that face, nor shall the temperature at any point thereon increase by more than 225°C above the initial temperature.

13. (1) The hull, superstructure, structural bulkheads, decks and deck-houses shall be constructed of steel or of such other suitable materials as the Minister may permit in special cases, having regard to the risk of fire.

(2) The corridor bulkheads serving accommodation spaces and control stations shall be constructed of steel or of non-combustible 'B' Class panels, except that combustible 'B' Class panels may be fitted--

(a) in any portion of a corridor bulkhead which abuts on spaces containing no significant fire load, and

(b) where a corridor is provided with two or more exits through doors leading directly to an open deck on the same level, in the end portions of the corridor bulkheads over a distance not exceeding 6 metres measured from any such exit.

14. (1) In every ship to which these Rules apply doorways and similar openings in corridor bulkheads shall be capable of being closed by permanently attached doors or by shutters.

(2) In every such ship the number of ventilation openings in such bulkheads shall be kept to a minimum. Such openings shall, so far as is reasonably practicable, be provided only in or under doors and shall, wherever practicable, be in the lower part of the door.

15. In every ship to which these Rules apply interior stairways, ladders and crew lift trunks within accommodation spaces shall be constructed of steel or other equivalent material.

16. The boundary bulkheads of any emergency generator room and the bulkheads separating a galley, paint-room, lamp-room, or boatswain's store from an accommodation space shall be constructed of steel or other equivalent material.

17. Deck coverings within accommodation spaces and control stations on the deck forming the crown of machinery and cargo spaces shall be of a type which will not readily ignite.

18. (1) Paints, varnishes and other surface materials having a nitrocellulose or other highly flammable base shall not be used in accommodation spaces, machinery spaces or control stations.

(2) Pipes intended to convey oil or other flammable liquids shall be of a material acceptable to the certifying authority having regard to the risk of fire.

(3) Overboard scuppers, sanitary discharges or other outlets close to or below the waterline shall not be of a material likely to fail in the event of fire and thereby give rise to a danger of flooding.

(4) Cellulose-nitrate film shall not be used in cinematograph installations.

19. (a) Subject to the provisions of Rule 1 (b) of these Rules, in every ship to which these Rules apply the skylights to spaces containing main propulsion machinery or oil-fired boilers or auxiliary internal combustion type machinery of a total power of 746 kilowatts or over shall be capable of being closed and, where practicable, opened from outside the space in the event of fire and, where they contain glass panels, such panels shall be of fire resisting construction fitted with wire reinforced glass and shall have external, permanently attached shutters of steel or other equivalent material.

(b) In such a ship windows shall not be fitted in engine casings except where the Minister is satisfied that they are necessary and will not constitute a fire hazard. Where such windows are fitted they shall be of a non-opening type and shall be of fire resisting construction fitted with wire reinforced glass and shall have external, permanently attached shutters of steel or other equivalent material.

20. (1) In every ship to which these Rules apply the machinery, boilers and other pressure vessels shall be of a design and construction adequate for the service for which they are intended and shall be so installed and protected as to reduce to a minimum any danger to persons on board.

(2) Without prejudice to paragraph (1) of this Rule, means shall be provided which will prevent overpressure in any part of such machinery, boilers and other pressure vessels, and in particular every boiler and every unfired steam generator shall be provided with not less than two safety valves: provided that the Minister may, having regard to the output or any other feature of any boiler or unfired steam generator, permit only one safety valve to be fitted if he is satisfied that adequate protection against overpressure is provided.

21. (1) In every ship to which these Rules apply every boiler or other pressure vessel and its respective mountings shall, before being put into service for the first time, be subjected to a hydraulic test to a pressure suitably in excess of the working pressure which will ensure that the boiler or other pressure vessel and its mountings are adequate in strength and design for the service for which it is intended and having regard to--

(a) the design and the material of which it is constructed;

(b) the purpose for which it is intended to be used; and

(c) the working conditions under which it is intended to be used;

and every such boiler or other pressure vessel and its respective mountings shall be maintained in an efficient condition.

(2) In every such ship provision shall be made which will facilitate the cleaning and inspection of every pressure vessel.

22. (1) In every ship to which these Rules apply main and auxiliary machinery essential for the propulsion and safety of the ship shall be provided with effective means of control, and the machinery shall be capable of being brought into operation when initially no power is available in the ship.

(2) In every such ship where risk from over-speeding of machinery would otherwise exist, means shall be provided to ensure that the safe speed is not exceeded.

(3) In every such ship where main or auxiliary machinery or any parts of such machinery are subject to internal pressure, those parts shall, before being put into service for the first time, be subjected to a hydraulic test to a pressure suitably in excess of the working pressure having regard to--

(a) the design and the material of which they are constructed;

(b) the purpose for which they are intended to be used; and

(c) the working conditions under which they are intended to be used;

and such parts shall be maintained in an efficient condition.

23. Every ship to which these Rules apply shall have sufficient power for going astern to secure proper control of the ship in all normal circumstances.

24. In every ship to which these Rules apply every shaft shall be so designed and constructed that it will withstand the maximum working stresses to which it may be subjected, with a factor of safety which is adequate having regard to--

(a) the material of which it is constructed;

(b) the service for which it is intended; and

(c) the type of engines by which it is driven or of which it forms a part.

25. (1) In every ship to which these Rules apply every boiler which provides services essential for the safety of the ship and which could be rendered dangerous by the failure of its feed water supply shall be provided with not less than two efficient and separate feed water systems, so arranged that either of such systems may be opened for inspection or overhaul without affecting the efficiency of the other. Means shall be provided which will prevent overpressure in any part of the systems.

(2) If in any such ship it is possible for oil to enter the feed water system of a boiler, the arrangements for supplying boiler feed water shall provide for the interception of oil in the feed water.

(3) Every feed check valve, fitting, or pipe through which feed water passes from a pump to such boilers in any such ship shall be designed and constructed to withstand the maximum working stresses to which it may be subjected, with a factor of safety which is adequate having regard to the material of which it is constructed and the working conditions under which it will be used. Every such valve, fitting, or pipe shall, before being put into service for the first time, be subjected to a hydraulic test suitably in excess of the maximum working pressure of the boiler to which it is connected or of the maximum working pressure to which the feed line may be subjected, whichever shall be the greater, and shall be maintained in an efficient condition. The feed pipes shall be adequately supported.

26. (1) In every ship to which these Rules apply every steam pipe and every fitting connected thereto through which steam may pass shall be so designed and constructed as to withstand the maximum working stresses to which it may be subjected, with a factor of safety which is adequate having regard to--

(a) the material of which it is constructed; and

(b) the working conditions under which it will be used.

(2) Without prejudice to paragraph (1) of this Rule, every such steam pipe or fitting shall, before being put into service for the first time, be subjected to a test by hydraulic pressure to a pressure suitably in excess of the working pressure to be determined having regard to the requirements of subparagraphs (a) and (b) of that paragraph, and every such steam pipe or fitting shall be maintained in an efficient condition.

(3) Steam pipes shall be adequately supported.

(4) Provision shall be made which will avoid excessive stress likely to lead to the failure of any such steam pipe or fitting, whether by reason of variation in temperature, vibration or otherwise.

(5) Efficient means shall be provided for draining every such steam pipe so as to ensure that the interior of the pipe is kept free of water and that water hammer action will not occur under any condition likely to arise in the course of the intended service of the ship.

(6) If in any ship to which these Rules apply a steam pipe may receive steam from any source at a higher pressure than it can otherwise withstand with an adequate factor of safety, an efficient reducing valve, relief valve and pressure guage shall be fitted to such pipe.

27. (1) In every ship to which these Rules apply, being a ship in which machinery essential for the propulsion and safety of the ship or of persons on board is required to be started, operated or controlled solely by compressed air, there shall be provided an efficient air system which shall include a sufficient number of air compressors and compressed air storage vessels to ensure that an adequate supply of compressed air is available under all conditions likely to be met in service.

(2) (a) In every such ship the parts of every such compressed air system other than a pneumatic control system which are subjected to air pressure shall be designed and constructed to withstand, with an adequate factor of safety, the maximum working stresses to which they may be subjected, and every air pressure pipe or fitting in such system shall, before being put into service for the first time, be subjected to a hydraulic test suitably in excess of the maximum working pressure to which it may be subjected and be maintained in an efficient condition.

( b ) Means shall be provided in any such ship to prevent overpressure in any part of any such compressed air system and, where water jackets or casings of air compressors and coolers might otherwise be subjected to dangerous overpressure due to leakage into them from air pressure parts, suitable pressure relief arrangements shall be provided.

( c ) Provision shall be made to reduce to a minimum entry of oil into any such air pressure system and to drain the system. Provision shall also be made to protect the system from the effects of internal explosion.

( d ) In every ship to which these Rules apply all discharge pipes from starting air compressors shall lead directly to the starting air receivers, and all starting air pipes from the air receivers to main or auxiliary engines shall be entirely separate from the compressor discharge pipe system.

28. In every ship to which these Rules apply in which cooling water services are essential for the running of the propelling machinery there shall be at least two means of operating such water services.

29. In every ship to which these Rules apply in which oil for lubrication, cooling or operation of the main propelling machinery and its ancillary services is circulated under pressure, provision shall be made so that in the event of the failure of a pump an alternative means of circulating such oil is available.

30. (1) In every ship to which these Rules apply oil fuel provided for use in boilers or machinery shall have a flash point of not less than 60°C (closed test): provided that the Minister may, subject to such conditions as he may impose--

( a ) permit any ship to use oil fuel having a flash point of not less than 55°C in boilers, or oil fuel having a flash point of not less than 43°C in internal combustion type machinery;

( b ) permit the use of gaseous fuel in ships designed for the carriage of liquefied gas if such fuel results solely from evaporation of the cargo carried.

Nothing in this paragraph shall apply to fuel provided for machinery permitted by Rules 6(3)(a), 7(3)(a) or 8(3)(a) of these Rules.

(2) In every ship to which these Rules apply, being a ship in which oil or gaseous fuel is used, the arrangements for the storage, distribution and utilisation of the fuel shall be such that, having regard to the hazards of fire and explosion which the use of such fuel may entail, the safety of the ship and of persons on board is perserved.

(3) In every ship to which these Rules apply, being a ship in which oil or gaseous fuel is used in engines or boilers for the propulsion or safety of the ship, the arrangements for the storage, distribution and utilisation of the fuel shall be such that the effective use of the engines can be maintained under all conditions likely to be met by the ship in service.

(4) Every oil fuel installation which serves a boiler supplying steam for the propulsion of the ship shall include not less than two oil fuel units.

31. Every ship to which these Rules apply shall be provided with two means of communicating orders from the navigating bridge to the engine room control platform. One of the means shall be an engine room telegraph.

32. (1) Every ship to which these Rules apply shall be provided with efficient main and auxiliary steering gear:

Provided that if duplicate steering gear power units and their connections are fitted to the satisfaction of the certifying authority and each power unit complies with the requirements of paragraph (2)(c) of this Rule and the duplicate units and connections operating together comply with the requirements of paragraph (2)(b) of this Rule, no auxiliary steering gear shall be required.

(2) In every such ship--

( a ) the main steering gear, including the rudder and associated fittings, shall be of adequate strength and sufficient to steer the ship at maximum service speed. The main steering gear and rudder stock shall be so designed that they are not damaged at maximum astern speed;

( b ) the main steering gear shall be capable of putting the rudder over from 35 degrees on one side to 35 degrees on the other side with the ship running ahead at maximum service speed. The rudder shall be capable of being put over from 35 degrees on either side to 30 degrees on the other side in 28 seconds at maximum service speed;

( c ) the auxiliary steering gear shall be capable of being brought rapidly into action and shall be of adequate strength and of sufficient power to enable the ship to be steered at navigable speed, and in any such ship in which a rudder stock of over 355.6 millimetres diameter in way of the tiller is required to comply with the requirements of subparagraph (a) of this paragraph, the auxiliary steering gear shall be operated by power.

(3) In every such ship which is fitted with power operated steering gear the position of the rudder shall be indicated at the principal steering station.

(4) In every such ship, simple operating instructions with a block diagram showing the change-over procedures for remote steering gear control systems and steering gear power units shall, where applicable, be permanently displayed on the navigating bridge and in the steering gear compartment.

33. Every ship to which these Rules apply shall be provided with sufficient spare gear having regard to the intended service of the ship.

34. (1) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (2) of this Rule, every ship to which these Rules apply shall be provided with two efficient magnetic compasses which shall be mounted in binnacles and sited on the ship's centre line. One of such compasses shall be provided for use as a standard compass and shall be sited near to the normal steering position and in a position from which the view of the horizon is least obstructed. The other of such compasses shall be provided for use as a steering compass and shall be sited at the normal steering position unless the projected or reflected image of the standard magnetic compass is provided for this purpose or a gyro-compass or a repeater from a gyro-compass or transmitting magnetic compass is positioned near the normal steering position, in which case the second magnetic compass, mounted in a binnacle or on a pedestal, may be fitted at the emergency steering position.

(2) Where there is no emergency steering position, two magnetic compasses and binnacles shall not be required: provided that the ship is equipped with a standard projector magnetic compass and a gyro-compass with repeaters, and provided also that a spare magnetic compass bowl with its gimbal units is carried on board so that it may be interchanged with the standard compass if that compass should become unserviceable.

35. Every ship to which these Rules apply shall be provided with such anchors and chain cables as are sufficient in number, weight and strength, having regard to the size and intended service of the ship.

36. (1) In every ship to which these Rules apply stairways and ladderways shall be arranged so as to provide ready means of escape to the lifeboat embarkation deck from all crew spaces, passenger spaces and other spaces in which the crew are normally employed.

(2) In every ship to which these Rules apply there shall be provided from each engine room, shaft tunnel and boiler room two means of escape as widely separated as practicable, one of which may be a watertight door if such a door is available as a means of escape. Where no such watertight door is available, the two means of escape shall consist of two sets of steel ladders leading to separate doors in the casing or elsewhere from which there is access to the lifeboat or liferaft embarkation deck or decks. The Minister may exempt any class of such ship as may be specified in the exemption of less than 2,000 tons from the requirements of this paragraph if at least one effective means of escape is provided.

37. (1) In every ship to which these Rules apply there shall be provided means for stopping ventilating fans serving machinery, accommodation and cargo spaces. For machinery and cargo spaces there shall be provided means for closing all skylights, doorways, ventilators, annular spaces around funnels and other openings to such spaces. Such means shall be capable of being operated from positions outside the said spaces which would not be made inaccessible by a fire within such spaces.

(2) In every ship to which these Rules apply machinery driving forced and induced draught fans, oil fuel transfer pumps, oil fuel unit pumps and other similar fuel pumps shall be fitted with remote controls situated outside the spaces in which such machinery or pumps are situated. Such controls shall be capable of stopping such machinery or pumps in the event of fire in the said spaces.

(3) In every ship to which these Rules apply every pipe connected to any oil fuel storage, settling, or daily service tank, not being a double bottom tank, which if damaged would otherwise permit discharge of the contents so as to cause a fire hazard, shall be fitted with a valve or cock which shall be secured to the tank to which it is connected and be capable of being closed from a readily accessible position outside the space in which the tank is situated: provided that in the case of any inlet pipe to such a tank, a non-return valve similarly secured to the tank may be substituted. In the case of an oil fuel deep tank traversed by any shaft or pipe tunnel, in addition to the valve which shall be fitted on the tank, a valve or valves may be fitted on the pipe line or lines outside the tunnel or tunnels to enable control to be exercised in the event of fire.

Section II

38. This Section contains the requirements, additional to Section I of this Part, for tankers of 10,000 tons or over.

39. In this Section:--

"auxiliary steering gear" means the equipment which is provided for effecting movement of the rudder for the purpose of steering the ship in the event of failure of the main steering gear;

"existing tanker" means a tanker which is not a new tanker within the meaning of this Rule;

"main steering gear" means the machinery, the steering gear power units, if any, and ancillary equipment and the means of applying torque to the rudder stock (for example tiller or quadrant) necessary for effecting movement of the rudder for the purpose of steering the ship under normal service conditions;

"new tanker" means a tanker--

(1) for which the building contract was placed after the 1st day of June, 1979; or

(2) in the absence of a building contract, the keel of which was laid, or which was at a similar stage of construction after the 1st day of January, 1980; or

(3) the delivery of which was after the 1st day of June, 1982; or

(4) which has undergone an alteration or modification of a major character:

( a ) for which the contract was placed after the 1st day of June, 1979; or

( b ) in the absence of a contract, the construction work of which was begun after the 1st day of January, 1980; or

( c ) which was completed after the 1st day of June, 1982;

"remote steering gear control system" means the system by which required rudder movements are transmitted from the navigating bridge to the steering gear power unit controls.

40. The following provisions shall apply to every new tanker of 10,000 tons and over and not later than the 1st day of December, 1983, to every existing tanker of 10,000 tons and over:--

(1) two remote steering gear control systems shall be provided, each of which shall be capable of being operated separately from the navigating bridge. Duplication of the steering wheel or lever is not required;

(2) in the event of failure of the remote steering gear control system in operation, the other system shall be capable of being brought into immediate operation from a position on the navigating bridge;

(3) each remote steering gear control system, if electric, shall be served by its own separate circuit supplied from a steering gear power circuit from a point within the steering gear compartment, or directly from switchboard busbars supplying that steering gear power circuit at a point on the switchboard adjacent to the supply to the steering gear power circuit;

(4) in the event of failure of electrical power supply to a remote steering gear control system, an alarm shall be given on the navigating bridge which shall be audible and visual and situated where it can be readily observed;

(5) means for control of the main steering gear shall be provided in the steering gear compartment;

(6) means shall be provided in the steering gear compartment to disconnect the remote steering gear control system from the power circuit;

(7) means of communication shall be provided between the navigating bridge and the steering gear compartment;

(8) the rudder angle indication system on the navigating bridge shall be independent of the remote steering gear control system;

(9) the angular position of the rudder shall be recognisable in the steering gear compartment.

41. The following provisions, additional to the requirements of Rule 40, shall apply to every new tanker of 10,000 tons or over:

(1) the main steering gear shall comprise two or more identical power units and it shall be capable of operating the rudder as required by Rule 32(2)(b) of these Rules while operating with one or more power units. As far as reasonable and practicable, the main steering gear shall be so arranged that a single failure in its piping or in one of the power units shall not impair the integrity of the remaining part of the steering gear. All mechanical components which are part of the steering gear and the mechanical connection with any remote steering gear control system, if any, shall be of sound construction;

(2) the main steering gear power units shall be arranged to start automatically when power is restored after a power failure;

(3) in the event of failure of any of the steering gear power units, means shall be provided to ensure that an alarm shall be given on the navigating bridge. Every steering gear power unit shall be capable of being brought into operation either automatically or manually from a position on the navigating bridge;

(4) an alternative power supply, at least sufficient to supply a steering gear power unit so as to enable it to move the rudder as specified below, and also to supply its associated remote steering gear control system and the rudder angle indicator, shall be provided, automatically, within 45 seconds, either from the emergency source of electrical power, or from another independent source of power located in the steering gear compartment. This independent source of power shall be used only for this purpose and shall have a capacity sufficient for half an hour of continuous operation. The steering gear power unit, when being supplied by the alternative power supply, shall at least be capable of putting the rudder over from 15 degrees on one side to 15 degrees on the other side in not more than 60 seconds with the ship at its deepest sea-going draught while running at one half of its maximum service speed ahead or 7 knots, whichever is the greater;

(5) each remote steering gear control system, if electrical, shall be served by its own separate circuit supplied from a steering gear power circuit from a point within the steering gear compartment, or directly from switchboard busbars supplying that steering gear power circuit at a point on the switch board adjacent to the supply to the steering gear power circuit.

Section III

42. This Section contains the requirements, additional to Section I of this Part, for ships with machinery spaces containing machinery used or essential for propulsion, which are intended to be periodically unattended under any sailing condition, including manoeuvring.

43. In this Section "machinery alarm and control centre" means the position from which the propelling and auxiliary machinery can be controlled and where the alarms, other than those located in accommodation spaces and at the navigating bridge, necessary for the safe operation of such machinery are located.

44. Every ship to which this Section applies shall be provided with effective means for control of, and arrangements for monitoring the operation of, the machinery used or essential for propulsion, so that the safety of the ship in all sailing conditions, including manoeuvring, is not less than that of a ship with continuously manned machinery spaces.

45. In every ship to which this Section applies, the certifying authority shall ensure that the equipment provided for operating the ship with the machinery spaces containing machinery used or essential for propulsion periodically unattended, is functioning in a reliable manner before the ship is permitted to operate with those machinery spaces unattended. The certifying authority shall ensure that satisfactory arrangements are made for periodic inspections and routine tests on such equipment to ensure continuous and reliable operation and shall issue documentary evidence indicating that it is satisfied that the ship and its equipment is suitable for operation in the said conditions.

46. Every ship to which this Section applies shall be provided with an alarm system which shall indicate any fault in the unattended machinery or unattended machinery spaces requiring attention. The alarm system shall--

( a ) indicate each separate alarm condition visually at the machinery alarm and control centre and provide an audible alarm at that centre and in the machinery spaces;

( b ) be connected to the engineers' public rooms and to each of the duty engineers' cabins so that at least one of the duty engineers' cabins is connected to the alarm system at any time: provided that the certifying authority may permit equivalent alternative arrangements;

( c ) be connected to an audible and visual alarm on the navigating bridge which shall be activated for any situation which requires the action of, or should be brought to the attention of, the officer of the watch;

( d ) as far as is practicable, be designed to indicate an alarm condition should a failure of the alarm and monitoring system occur;

( e ) activate an alarm that is clearly audible in the engineers' accommodation if an alarm condition has not received attention at the machinery alarm and control centre within a reasonable time;

( f ) in the event of a loss of the normal power supply, be supplied automatically from a stand-by power supply, the failure of the normal power supply being indicated on the alarm system; and

( g ) be able to indicate multiple faults simultaneously and the acceptance of any fault on the alarm system shall not inhibit other alarms. Acceptance of the alarm at the machinery alarm and control centre shall be indicated at the other positions where the alarm condition is shown. Alarms shall be maintained until they are accepted, and the visual indication of individual alarms shall remain until the fault has been corrected, when the alarm system shall automatically be reset to its normal operating condition.

47. A safety system shall be provided so that malfunction in the machinery which presents an immediate danger shall initiate the automatic shut down of the defective machinery and give an alarm. The main propulsion machinery shall not be automatically shut down except when continued operation would cause serious damage, complete breakdown or an explosion. Arrangements for overriding the automatic shut down of the main propulsion machinery may be permitted: provided that the operating arrangements preclude inadvertent operation. Visual indication shall be provided to show whether or not the override has been activated. A suitable notice, warning of the possible effect of overriding, shall be displayed at the override position.

48. Every ship to which this Section applies shall be provided with a means of vocal communication between the propelling engine room, main machinery control room or manoeuvring platform, as appropriate, the navigating bridge and the engineers' accommodation.

49. In every ship to which this Section applies the speed, direction of thrust and (if applicable) the pitch of the propeller shall be fully controllable from the navigating bridge and the following provisions shall apply:

( a ) the remote control from the navigating bridge shall be performed by a single control device for each independent propeller with automatic performance of all associated services including, where necessary, means of preventing overload of the propulsion machinery;

( b ) propulsion machinery orders from the navigating bridge shall be indicated at the machinery alarm and control centre;

( c ) the main propulsion machinery shall be provided with an emergency stopping device, located on the navigating bridge, which shall be independent of the controls otherwise required by this Section;

( d ) remote control of the propulsion machinery shall be possible from only one location at a time. Interconnected control units may be permitted at such locations. There shall be provided at each location an indicator showing which location is in control of the propulsion machinery. Transfer of control between the navigating bridge and the machinery spaces shall only be possible from the machinery space or the machinery control room. The control system shall be arranged so that the propeller thrust does not alter significantly when control is transferred from one station to another;

( e ) it shall be possible to control the propulsion machinery and other machinery essential for the propulsion of the ship locally in the event of failure of any part of the automatic or remote control systems;

( f ) the design of the propulsion machinery remote control system shall be such that in the event of its failure an alarm will be given and the pre-set speed and direction of thrust maintained until local control is in operation. The certifying authority may waive this requirement where other essential features of the system design render such provision impracticable, subject to such alternative provisions as it may require;

( g ) indication shall be given on the navigating bridge of--

(i) propeller speed and direction of rotation in the case of fixed pitch propellers, and

(ii) propeller speed and pitch position in the case of controllable pitch propellers;

( h ) the number of automatic and consecutive attempts which fail to start any internal combustion propulsion engine shall be limited so as to maintain sufficient air pressure for further attempts under local control. Alarm systems shall be provided to indicate low starting air pressure at a level which still permits propulsion main machinery starting operations.

50. (1) Automatic control systems and an alarm system, to the satisfaction of the certifying authority, shall be provided for all important functions including pressures, temperatures and fluid levels. The control system shall be such that through the necessary automatic arrangements the services needed for the operation of the main propulsion machinery and its auxiliaries are ensured.

(2) In every ship to which this Section applies where the electrical power can normally be supplied by one generator, there shall be provided suitable load shedding arrangements to ensure the integrity of supplies to services required for propulsion, steering and to ensure the safety of the ship. There shall be adequate provision, in the event of loss of the generator in operation, for automatically starting and connecting to the main switchboard a stand-by generator of sufficient capacity to sustain propulsion, steering and to ensure the safety of the ship, and automatic restarting of the essential auxiliaries including, where necessary, sequential operation. The certifying authority may waive this requirement in ships of less than 1,600 tons if it considers it impracticable.

(3) Where the electrical power is normally supplied by more than one generating set simultaneously in parallel operation there shall be provision, by load shedding or other means, to ensure that in case of loss of one of these generating sets the remaining ones are kept in operation without overload to sustain propulsion and steering and to ensure the safety of the ship.

(4) Where stand-by machinery is necessary to ensure continuity of services essential for propulsion, automatic changeover devices shall be provided. An alarm shall be given on automatic changeover.

51. (1) In every ship to which this Section applies every machinery space shall be provided with a fire detection system complying with the requirements of Schedule 12 to the Merchant Shipping (Fire Appliances) (Post-1980 Ships) Rules 1983 ( S.I. No. 303 of 1983 ) and at least one fixed fire extinguishing system complying with the requirements of Schedule 7, 9 or 10 (as appropriate) to those Rules.

(2) Every fuel oil and lubricating oil pressure pipe provided in any such ship shall where necessary be screened or otherwise suitably protected to prevent oil, in the event of a failure of that pipe, coming into contact with hot surfaces or entering machinery air intakes. High pressure fuel oil pipes of compression ignition engines shall, additionally, be provided with means for collecting, at a safe location, any such oil and indicating the fault on the alarm system.

(3) Every oil fuel tank in every such ship that directly supplies the main propulsion machinery or its auxiliaries and which is arranged to be filled automatically or by remote control shall be provided with means to prevent overflow and spillage. Every such tank and settling tank fitted with oil fuel heating arrangements shall be provided with a high temperature alarm if the flash point of the oil fuel therein is exceeded.

(4) In every such ship the equipment (such as oil fuel purifiers) for preparing flammable liquids for use in boilers or machinery shall have arrangements to prevent overflow and spillages and, so far as is reasonably practicable, be installed in a space appropriated solely for such equipment and their heaters.

(5) In every such ship all internal combustion engines having an output of 2,250 kilowatts or above or having cylinders of 300 mm bore or above shall be provided with crankcase oil mist detectors or engine bearing temperature detectors or other equivalent means, which shall give an alarm on the alarm system in the event of an incipient dangerous condition.

(6) All air supply casings and uptakes of boilers and scavenge air belts of main propulsion engines in every such ship shall be provided with detectors which shall give an alarm on the alarm system in the event of incipient fire occurring therein, unless the certifying authority waives the requirements for such provisions.

52. The machinery space bilge wells in every ship to which this Section applies shall be so located that an accumulation of liquid at normal angles of heel and trim may be detected and a liquid level alarm shall be provided. The machinery space bilge wells shall have sufficient capacity to accommodate normal drainage during unattended periods. Ships with automatic bilge pumping shall be provided with a means of indicating when the bilge pump is operating more frequently than during normal operation. When automatic bilge pumping is provided smaller bilge wells may be permitted.

PART III--CONSTRUCTION--TANKERS

Section I

53. (1) This Part applies to sea-going tankers specified in Rule 1(5) of these Rules.

(2) The hull, superstructures, structural bulkheads, decks and deckhouses shall be constructed of steel or other equivalent material except that the crowns and casings of machinery spaces of Category A and the exterior boundaries of superstructures and deckhouses which are required to be insulated to A60 standard under Rule 56(1) of these Rules shall be constructed only of steel.

54. (1) Machinery spaces of Category A shall be positioned aft of cargo tanks and slop tanks and shall be separated from them by a cofferdam, pump room or oil fuel bunker tank, and shall also be positioned aft of such cofferdam or pump room, except that the lower part of a pump room may be recessed into a machinery space of Category A in order to accommodate pumps if the crown of the recess is not more than one third of the moulded depth above the keel; provided that, in the case of a ship not exceeding 25,000 tonnes deadweight where a recess of such height is not practicable for reasons of access and arrangement of piping, the recess may be increased to a height not exceeding one half of the moulded depth above the keel.

(2) Accommodation spaces shall be positioned aft of all cargo and slop tanks, pump rooms and cofferdams which separate cargo and slop tanks from machinery spaces of Category A, except that the accommodation spaces may be positioned over the recess of a pump room to which paragraph (1) of this Rule refers provided that such spaces are positioned above the level of the upper deck.

(3) Service spaces, control stations, cargo control stations and machinery spaces other than those of Category A and pump rooms shall be positioned forward or aft of all cargo and slop tanks and shall be separated from them by a cofferdam, pump room or oil fuel bunker tank, except that--

( a ) such spaces may be positioned over the recess of a pump room to which paragraph (1) of this Rule refers, provided that they are positioned above the level of the upper deck;

( b ) navigating spaces may be positioned above cargo tank spaces provided that they are used only for navigating purposes and are separated from the upper deck by means of an open space the height of which shall be not less than 2 metres.

(4) Where accommodation spaces, machinery spaces other than those of Category A, control stations and cargo control stations are located over part of an oil fuel bunker tank the horizontal separation of such spaces from cargo and slop tanks shall be not less than 600 mm.

55. Means shall be provided to isolate oil spills on the upper deck from accommodation and service spaces and shall take into account stern cargo handling facilities where these are provided.

56. (1) The exterior boundaries of superstructures and deckhouses enclosing accommodation and service spaces, control stations and cargo control supports such spaces shall be insulated to A60 standard on the portions of such boundaries which face cargo oil tanks and on the sides of such boundaries for a distance of 3 metres measured horizontally and parallel to the middle line of the ship from the front boundary at each deck level, except that such insulation need not be fitted to:--

( a ) the external bulkheads and overhanging decks of the wheelhouse; and

( b ) the external boundaries of spaces in which doors referred to in paragraph (2)(a) of this Rule are fitted.

(2) In the exterior boundary bulkheads facing cargo oil tanks of superstructures and deckhouses enclosing accommodation and service spaces--

( a ) doors shall not be fitted except to provide access to those spaces which do not have access to accommodation and service spaces and whose internal boundaries are insulated to A60 standard;

( b ) sidescuttles and windows other than wheelhouse windows shall be of a non-opening type;

( c ) windows shall not be fitted in the first tier of such superstructures and deckhouses on the upper deck and sidescuttles fitted in such a tier shall be fitted internally with permanently attached covers of steel;

( d ) sidescuttles and windows fitted in tiers above the first tier of such superstructures and deckhouses shall either be fitted internally with permanently attached covers of steel or be provided with portable covers of steel which shall be stowed within the space they are intended to serve.

(3) The provisions of paragraph (2) of this Rule shall apply to the exterior boundary bulkheads at the sides of the superstructures and deckhouses enclosing accommodation and service spaces for a distance of 5 metres measured horizontally and parallel to the middle line of the ship from the front exterior boundary bulkhead at each deck level as the said provisions apply to exterior boundary bulkheads facing cargo oil tanks, except that subparagraph (a) of paragraph (2) of this Rule shall not apply to the exterior boundary bulkheads of the wheelhouse.

57. (1) The bulkheads and decks separating cargo pump rooms from machinery spaces of Category A shall be `A' Class divisions of A0 standard.

(2) Where lighting enclosures are fitted in bulkheads and decks to which paragraph (1) of this Rule refers for the purpose of illuminating the cargo pump room, such lighting enclosures shall be such that the `A' Class integrity and gastightness of such bulkheads and decks are not impaired.

58. (1) Windows and sidescuttles shall not be fitted in internal or external boundary bulkheads or decks of machinery spaces of Category A and cargo pump rooms, including skylights to such spaces, except that such windows and sidescuttles may be fitted in a bulkhead between a machinery space of Category A and a machinery control room located within the boundaries of such a space.

(2) Skylights to machinery spaces of Category A and cargo pump rooms shall be capable of being closed and opened from outside the spaces which they serve.

59. (1) Bulkheads and decks separating accommodation spaces and service spaces from machinery spaces of Category A and cargo pump rooms shall be `A' Class divisions of A60 standard.

(2) Where lighting enclosures are fitted in a bulkhead to which paragraph (1) of this Rule refers for the purpose of illuminating the cargo pump room, such lighting enclosures shall be such that the `A' Class integrity, insulation standard and gastightness of such divisions are not impaired.

60. The boundary bulkheads separating accommodation spaces from galleys, paint rooms, lamp rooms or boatswain's stores shall be constructed of steel or other equivalent material.

61. (1) Bulkheads and decks separating control stations from other enclosed spaces shall be `A' Class divisions having insulation standards in accordance with Tables 1 and 2 set out in the Schedule to these Rules.

(2) The deck separating the navigating space from the open space to which Rule 54(3)(b) of these Rules refers shall be an `A' Class division of A60 standard.

62. (1) All bulkheads within accommodation spaces, service spaces and control stations which are not required by these Rules to be either `A' Class divisions or `B' Class divisions of B0 standard shall be `C' Class divisions.

(2) Corridor bulkheads serving accommodation spaces, service spaces and control stations which are not required by these Rules to be `A' Class divisions shall be `B' Class divisions of B0 standard.

(3) All bulkheads required by these Rules to be 'B' Class divisions of B0 standard shall extend from deck to deck and to the shell plating or other boundaries, except that where continuous 'B' Class ceilings or linings of B0 standard are fitted on both sides of the bulkheads the bulkheads may terminate at such ceilings or linings.

(4) All materials used in the construction of bulkheads and doors in such bulkheads shall be non-combustible.

63. (1) Within accommodation spaces services spaces, and control stations--

( a ) all ceilings, linings, draught stops and insulating materials shall be of non-combustible materials except for--

(i) materials used to insulate refrigerated compartments;

(ii) materials used to insulate valves associated with hot and cold service systems, provided that their exposed surfaces are such that a Class 1 or 2 surface spread of flame will not be exceeded;

(iii) vapour barriers and adhesives used in conjunction with insulating materials: provided that their exposed surfaces are such that a Class 1 or 2 surface spread of flame will not be exceeded;

( b ) the framing, grounds and joint pieces of linings, ceilings and draught stops shall be non-combustible;

( c ) bulkheads, ceilings and linings shall not be faced with a combustible veneer unless the thickness of such a veneer does not exceed 2.0 millimetres, except in corridors, stairway enclosures and control stations where it shall not exceed 1.5 millimetres;

( d ) all exposed surfaces in corridors and stairways enclosures and surfaces in concealed or inaccessible spaces shall be such that a Class 1 or 2 surface spread of flame is not exceeded;

( e ) primary deck coverings shall be of a type which will not readily ignite.

(2) The surface of insulating materials fitted to the inside of the bulkheads and decks forming the casings and crowns of machinery spaces of Category A shall be impervious to oil and oil vapours.

(3) Paints, varnishes and other finishes used on exposed surfaces within accommodation and service spaces, control stations and machinery spaces shall not contain nitrocellulose or other highly flammable base products and such surfaces, except where otherwise required by these Rules, shall be such that a Class 3 surface spread of flame will not be exceeded: provided that these requirements shall not apply to furniture, furnishings, machinery and similar items.

64. Every air space enclosed behind a ceiling, panel or lining within accommodation spaces, service spaces and control stations shall be divided by close-fitting draught stops which shall be spaced not more than 14 metres apart and which shall be closed at each deck.

65. (1) Where an `A' Class division is pierced for the passage of electric cables, pipes, trunks, girders or beams, or for other purposes, the arrangements shall be such that the effectiveness of the division in resisting fire is not thereby impaired, except that this requirement shall not apply to shaft glands and similar glanded penetrations in bulkheads and decks between cargo pump rooms, including their trunks, and machinery spaces of Category A.

(2) The construction of all doors and frames in `A' Class bulkheads, with the means of securing them when closed, shall provide resistance to fire as well as to the passage of smoke and flame, as far as is reasonably practicable, equivalent to that of the bulkheads in which the doors are situated.

(3) Every door in an `A' Class bulkhead shall be so constructed that it can be opened and closed by one person from either side of the division.

(4) Every door in an `A' Class bulkhead which forms part of a stairway enclosure or lift trunk serving accommodation spaces, service spaces or control stations and every door in a casing of a machinery space of Category A shall be self-closing.

(5) Hold-back arrangements may be fitted to doors to which paragraph (4) of this Rule refers: provided that such arrangements--

( a ) have remote release fittings of a type which in the event of disruption of the control system will automatically close the doors; and

( b ) will permit each door to be closed manually.

66. (1) Where a 'B' Class division is pierced for the passage of electric cables, pipes, trunks, girders or beams, or for other purposes, the arrangements shall be such that the effectiveness of the division in resisting fire is not thereby impaired.

(2) The construction of all doors and door frames in 'B' Class bulkheads shall provide resistance to fire as well as the passage of flame, as far as is reasonably practicable, equivalent to that of the bulkheads in which the doors are situated.

(3) The number of ventilation openings in 'B' Class divisions shall be kept to a minimum and shall be provided as far as is reasonably practicable only in the lower part of a door and fitted with a grille constructed of steel or under a door except that such openings shall not be provided in a door in a 'B' Class division forming a stairway enclosure. The net area of any such opening or openings shall not exceed 0·05 square metre and in no case shall a gap under a door exceed 25 millimetres.

(4) Every door in a 'B' Class bulkhead which forms a stairway enclosure or part thereof shall be self-closing.

(5) Hold-back arrangements may be fitted to doors to which paragraph (4) of this Rule refers provided that such arrangements--

( a ) have remote release fittings of a type which in the event of disruption of the control system will automatically close the doors; and

( b ) will permit each door to be closed manually.

67. (1) Every stairway within accommodation spaces, service spaces and control stations shall be constructed of steel or other suitable material and every such stairway and lift shall lie respectively within an enclosure or trunk constructed of 'A' Class divisions of A0 standard except that a stairway serving only two decks shall only be required to be enclosed at one level by either 'A' Class divisions of A0 standard or 'B' Class divisions of B0 standard: provided that any bulkhead which separates a stairway from a machinery space of Category A shall be an 'A' Class division of A60 standard.

(2) Every opening in a stairway enclosure and lift trunk shall be provided with a means of closure which shall be permanently attached thereto and which shall comply with the requirements of Rule 65 or 66 of these Rules whichever is applicable.

68. (1) Ducts providing ventilation to machinery spaces of Category A shall not pass through accommodation spaces, service spaces or control stations, except that this requirement shall not apply to such ducts which--

( a ) are constructed of steel having a minimum thickness of 3 millimetres for ducts the width or diameter of which does not exceed 300 millimetres, increasing pro rata up to a minimum thickness of 5 millimetres for ducts the width or diameter of which is 760 millimetres or more; and

( b ) are suitably supported and stiffened; and

( c ) are insulated to A60 standard.

(2) Ducts providing ventilation to accommodation spaces, service spaces or control stations other than ducts which comply with paragraph (1) of this Rule shall not pass through machinery spaces of Category A.

(3) Ventilation inlets and outlets to accommodation and service spaces, control stations, and machinery spaces, and any other openings in the boundaries of superstructures and deckhouses enclosing such spaces shall be positioned as far aft as is practicable taking into account stern cargo handling facilities where these are provided.

69. (1) In accommodation spaces, service spaces or control stations pipes intended to convey oil or other flammable liquids shall be of a suitable material having regard to the risk of fire.

(2) Overboard scuppers, sanitary discharges or other outlets close to the waterline shall not be of a material likely to fail in the event of a fire and thereby give rise to a danger of flooding.

(3) Electric radiators shall--

( a ) be permanently fixed in position;

( b ) be so constructed as to reduce the risk of fire to a minimum; and

( c ) not be equipped with elements so exposed as to scorch or ignite clothing, curtains or other similar materials.

(4) Cellulose-nitrate film shall not be used in cinematography installations.

Section II

70. (1) In spaces other than accommodation spaces, service spaces or control stations, pipes intended to convey oil or other flammable liquids shall be of a suitable material having regard to the risk of fire.

(2) Cargo and bunker piping systems, vent piping, pressure vacuum valves and flame arresting screens shall be constructed of suitable material to a design suitable for their intended purpose and for the stresses to which they may be subjected.

(3) The arrangement and positioning of openings in the cargo tank deck from which gas emission can occur, and the arrangements of ventilation inlets and outlets and other openings in the boundary bulkheads and decks of superstructures and deckhouses shall be such as to minimise the possibility of gas being admitted to enclosed spaces containing a source of ignition, or collecting in the vicinity of deck machinery and equipment which may constitute an ignition hazard. In every case the height of the outlet above the deck and the discharge velocity of the gas shall be considered in conjunction with the distance of any outlet from any deckhouse opening or source of ignition.

(4) Cargo pump rooms shall be mechanically ventilated and discharges from the exhaust fans shall be led to a safe place on the open deck. The ventilation of these rooms shall have sufficient capacity to minimise the possibility of accumulation of flaming vapours. The number of changes of air shall be at least 20 per hour, based upon the gross volume of the space. The air ducts shall be arranged so that all of the space is effectively ventilated. The ventilation system shall be of the exhaust type.

PART IV--SURVEYS -- ALL SHIPS

71. (1) The owner of every ship to which these Rules apply shall cause the same to be surveyed on completion and thereafter at intervals not exceeding five years by a surveyor appointed by a certifying authority, and any application for a survey shall be accompanied by such information relating to the ship as the certifying authority may require for the purposes of the survey.

(2) A certifying authority shall upon receipt of an application for survey and any fee payable on such application cause the ship to be surveyed by a qualified surveyor.

(3) The surveyor shall survey the ship and shall satisfy himself that the arrangements, materials and scantlings of the structure, boilers and other pressure vessels and their appurtenances (other than domestic boilers having a heating surface of 5 square metres or less and a working pressure of 3·5 bar gauge or less and other domestic pressure vessels having such a working pressure), main and auxiliary machinery, including steering gear and associated control systems, electrical installations and other equipment comply with the requirements of Part II and, if applicable, Section II of Part III of these Rules and are in all respects satisfactory for the service for which the ship is intended, having regard to the period for which a cargo ship safety construction certificate in respect of the ship is to be issued. The survey shall also, in the case of tankers, include an inspection of the outside of the ship's bottom, the pump rooms, cargo and bunker piping systems, vent piping, pressure vacuum valves and flame arresting screens.

(4) The surveyor, if satisfied on the survey that he may properly do so, shall forward to the certifying authority a declaration of survey containing such particulars of the ship as are required by the certifying authority to enable it to issue a cargo ship safety construction certificate in respect of the ship.

72. (1) The owner of every tanker of ten years of age and over shall, subject to the requirements of paragraph (2) of this Rule and so long as the certificate remains in force, cause the ship to be subjected to an intermediate survey carried out in the manner specified in paragraph (5) of this Rule at least once during the period of validity of the certificate for the purpose of seeing whether the certificate should remain in force, and if the ship is not so surveyed the Minister may cancel the certificate. Where only one such intermediate survey is made, the survey shall be made not more than six months before, nor later than six months after, the half way date of the period of validity of the cargo ship safety construction certificate. In no case shall the period between the surveys so required exceed three years. The age of a tanker shall be determined from the year of building as indicated on the ship's certificate of registry.

(2) Every ship to which paragraph (1) of this Rule applies, in respect of which a cargo ship safety construction certificate has been issued before these Rules came into operation, shall be surveyed in accordance with that paragraph not later than two years and six months after these Rules come into operation unless, during that period, it is surveyed in accordance with Rule 71.

(3) The owner of every ship in respect of which a cargo ship safety construction certificate has been issued shall, so long as the certificate remains in force, cause the ship to be periodically surveyed in the manner and at the intervals specified in paragraph (4) of this Rule for the purpose of seeing whether the certificate should remain in force, and if the ship is not so surveyed the Minister may cancel the certificate.

(4) The periodic surveys to be carried out under paragraph (3) of this Rule shall be as follows:--

( a ) the hull including the fastenings of the sea connections, overboard discharge valves and other ship-side fittings shall be examined in dry dock at intervals not more than six months before, nor later than six months after, the half way date of the period of validity of the cargo ship safety construction certificate. The sea connections, overboard discharge valves and other ship-side fittings shall be thoroughly examined in dry dock at intervals not exceeding five years;

( b ) steam heated steam generators in any ship and the water-tube boilers supplying steam for main propulsion purposes in ships fitted with either:

(i) more than one such water-tube boiler, or

(ii) a single such water-tube boiler and auxiliary means of maintaining adequate power for safe navigation in the event of failure of that boiler,

shall be examined internally and externally at intervals not exceeding two years;

( c ) all other boilers, including exhaust-gas boilers, superheaters, economisers and domestic boilers (other than domestic boilers having a heating surface of not more than five square metres and a working pressure not more than 3·5 bar guage) shall be examined internally and externally at intervals not exceeding two years until they are eight years old and thereafter annually;

( d ) screw propeller shafts fitted with continuous liners or running in oil shall be withdrawn and surveyed at intervals not exceeding five years where the ship has more than one screw propeller or, in the case of a single screw ship,--

(i) the shaft and the keyway have been designed to reduce stress concentrations or

(ii) the shaft is fitted with a keyless screw propeller or

(iii) the screw propeller is attached to the shaft by a bolted flange;

Other screw propeller shafts shall be withdrawn and surveyed at intervals not exceeding two years;

( e ) tube shafts driving screw propellers shall, if fitted with continuous liners or running in oil, be surveyed at intervals not exceeding five years. Other tube shafts shall be withdrawn and surveyed at intervals not exceeding two years.

(5) The intermediate surveys to be carried out under paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Rule shall be in accordance with the procedures specified by the Minister in Marine Notice No. 23 of 1983.

(6) In this Rule "water-tube boiler" includes any integral superheater or economiser.

73. (1) Every application for a survey required by Rule 72 shall be made by or on behalf of the owner of the ship to the certifying authority by whom the certificate was issued.

(2) The certifying authority shall, on receipt of the application and of any fee payable on such application, cause the survey to be carried out by a qualified surveyor.

(3) The surveyor shall carry out the survey with a view to satisfying himself that--

(a) such of the parts of the ship or its equipment specified in paragraphs (4) and (5) of Rule 72 as are the subject of the application for survey remain efficient and,

( b ) no material alterations have been made in the hull, machinery or equipment of the ship to which the cargo ship safety construction certificate relates without the approval of the certifying authority.

(4) On completion of the survey in accordance with the requirements of the preceding paragraph, the surveyor shall, where so satisfied, forward a report on the survey to the certifying authority and, in the case of a survey in accordance with Rules 72(1) and (2) the surveyor shall endorse the supplement to the cargo ship safety construction certificate to that effect.

74. (1) The owner of every ship in respect of which a cargo ship safety construction certificate has been issued shall, subject to the requirements of paragraphs (2) and (3) of this Rule and so long as the certificate remains in force, cause the ship to be subjected to an annual survey carried out in the manner specified in paragraph (5) of this Rule for the purpose of seeing whether the certificate should remain in force, and if the ship is not so surveyed the Minister may cancel the certificate. The survey shall be carried out within three months before or after the anniversary date of the cargo ship safety construction certificate.

(2) An annual survey in accordance with paragraph (1) of this Rule shall not be required in respect of any tanker of ten years of age and over in any year in which it has been surveyed in accordance with Rules 72(1) and (2) within three months before or after the anniversary date of the cargo ship safety construction certificate. The age of a tanker shall be determined from the year of build as indicated on the ship's certificate of registry.

(3) Every ship to which these Rules apply and in respect of which a cargo ship safety construction certificate has been issued before these Rules come into operation and remains in force, shall be surveyed in accordance with this Rule not later than 12 months after these Rules come into operation unless, during that period the ship is surveyed in accordance with Rule 71 or (if applicable) Rules 72(1) and (2).

(4) Every application for a survey of a ship under this Rule shall be made by or on behalf of the owner of the ship to the certifying authority by whom the certificate was issued and any application for a survey shall be accompanied by such information relating to the ship as the certifying authority may require for the purposes of the survey and the appropriate fee payable.

(5) The surveyor shall, upon receipt of an application, survey the ship in accordance with the procedures specified by the Minister in Marine Notice No. 23 of 1983 and shall satisfy himself--

( a ) that such of the parts of the ship and its equipment specified in that Notice as are the subject of the application for survey remain efficient, and

( b ) that no material alterations have been made in the hull, machinery or equipment of the ship to which the cargo ship safety construction certificate relates without the approval of the certifying authority.

(6) On the completion of the survey in accordance with the requirements of the preceding paragraph the surveyor shall where he is so satisfied endorse the attachment of the cargo ship safety construction certificate to that effect.

PART V--ADDITIONAL SURVEYS FOR CERTAIN TANKERS

75. (1) The owner of every ship to which Part III of these Rules applies shall, in addition to the surveys required by Part IV of these Rules, cause the ship to be surveyed on completion and thereafter at intervals not exceeding five years by a surveyor and any application for a survey shall be accompanied by such information relating to the ship as the Minister may require for the purposes of the survey.

(2) The Minister shall upon receipt of an application for survey and any fee payable on such application cause the ship to be surveyed by a surveyor.

(3) The surveyor shall survey the ship and shall satisfy himself that it complies with the requirements of Section I of Part III of these Rules and is in all respects satisfactory for the service for which it is intended, having regard to the period for which a cargo ship safety construction certificate in respect of the ship is to be issued.

(4) The surveyor, if satisfied on the survey that he may properly do so, shall forward to the certifying authority a declaration of survey containing such particulars as are required by the certifying authority to enable it to issue a cargo ship safety construction certificate in respect of the ship.

76. (1) The owner of every ship to which Part III of these Rules applies, and in respect of which a cargo ship safety construction certificate has been issued, shall, in addition to the surveys required by Part IV of these Rules and so long as the certificate remains in force, cause the ship to be surveyed not more than six months before, nor later than six months after, the half-way date of the period of validity of the cargo ship safety construction certificate by a surveyor in the manner specified in paragraph (2) of this Rule for the purpose of seeing whether the certificate should remain in force, and if the ship is not so surveyed the Minister may cancel the certificate.

(2) The surveys to be carried out under paragraph (1) of this Rule shall be to establish that the following equipment and materials are maintained in a satisfactory manner:

( a ) insulation of 'A' Class divisions and integrity of 'A' Class and 'B' Class divisions;

( b ) doors fitted in 'A' Class and 'B' Class divisions and their self-closing devices, where fitted in compliance with these Rules;

( c ) fittings by which doors in 'A' Class and 'B' Class divisions can be remotely released;

( d ) arrangement and insulation of ventilation ducts.

(3) Every application for the survey of a ship under this Rule shall be made by or on behalf of the owner of the ship to the Minister.

(4) The Minister shall, on receipt of the application and of any fee payable on such application, cause the ship to be surveyed by a surveyor.

(5) The surveyor shall survey the ship with a view to satisfying himself that--

( a ) such of the parts of the ship and its equipment specified in paragraph (2) of this Rule as are the subject of the application for survey remain efficient;

( b ) having regard to the requirements of these Rules, there has been no alteration without the approval of the Minister;

(i) in the materials from which the ship is constructed; and

(ii) in the location and designation of spaces.

(6) On the completion of the survey in accordance with the requirements of the preceding paragraph the surveyor shall, where he is so satisfied, forward a declaration of the survey to the certifying authority.

PART VI--RESPONSIBILITIES OF OWNER AND MASTER, ETC.

77. (1) The owner or master of every ship in relation to which these Rules apply shall ensure that--

(a) the condition of the ship and its equipment is maintained so as to comply with the relevant provision of these Rules;

(b) after any survey required by these Rules has been completed, no material change shall be made in the structural arrangement, machinery, equipment and other items subject to such survey, without the approval of the certifying authority; and

(c) whenever an accident occurs to a ship or a defect is discovered either of which affects the safety of the ship or the efficiency or completeness of its equipment, it shall be reported at the earliest opportunity to the Minister who shall cause investigations to be initiated to determine whether a survey by a surveyor is necessary and shall in that event require such a survey to be carried out. If the ship is in a port outside the State the master or owner shall, in addition, make such a report immediately to the appropriate authorities of the country in which the port is situated.

(2) The certifying authority shall ascertain from the appropriate authorities of the country in which the port is situated that the report referred to in paragraph (1)(c) of this Rule has been made.

78. (1) In any case where the certifying authority determines that the condition of the ship or its equipment does not correspond with the particulars of the cargo ship safety construction certificate or is such that the ship is not fit to proceed to sea without danger to the ship or persons on board, the certifying authority shall advise the owner or master of the corrective action which in its opinion is required.

(2) If such corrective action is not taken within such period (being a reasonable period) as the certifying authority may specify, the certifying authority shall, at the end of that time, immediately notify the Minister, who may, on receipt of such notification, suspend the validity of the cargo ship safety construction certificate issued in relation to the ship.

(3) The master shall thereupon deliver up the certificate issued in relation to the ship to the certifying authority on demand and the owner shall on receipt of notice of suspension deliver up the duplicate certificate to the Minister.

(4) When the certifying authority is satisfied that corrective action has been taken it shall notify the Minister, who shall thereupon, in any case where the validity of the certificate has been suspended, restore the validity of the certificate and return the duplicate certificate to the owner.

The certifying authority shall return the certificate issued in relation to the ship to the master.

(5) Where the ship is not within a port in the State and corrective action in accordance with paragraph (2) has not been taken, the certifying authority shall in addition immediately notify the appropriate authorities of the country in which the port is situated.

79. Where these Rules require that the hull or machinery of a ship shall be constructed in a particular manner, or that particular equipment shall be provided, or that particular provisions shall be made, the Minister may permit the hull or machinery of the ship to be constructed in any other manner, or any other equipment to be provided or other provision made, if he is satisfied by trial thereof or otherwise that such other construction, equipment or provision is at least as effective as that required by these Rules.

Rule 61

SCHEDULE

TABLE I--FIRE INTEGRITY AND INSULATION STANDARDS OF BULKHEADS

SEPARATING CONTROL STATIONS

FROM OTHER SPACES

Where (1) is control stations

(2) is corridors

(3) is accommodation spaces

(4) is stairways

(5) is service spaces

(6) is machinery spaces of Category A.

(7) is machinery spaces other than machinery spaces of Category A.

Superscription 1--bulkheads separating the wheelhouse, chartroom and radio room from each other may be alternatively 'B' Class bulkheads of B0 standard.

TABLE 2--FIRE INTEGRITY AND INSULATION STANDARDS OF DECKS SEPARATING CONTROL STATIONS FROM OTHER SPACES

GIVEN under my Official Seal, this 18th day of October, 1983.

JAMES MITCHELL,

Minister for Transport.

EXPLANATORY NOTE.

These Rules implement the provisions of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, and the Protocol of 1978 thereto, relating to cargo ship construction and survey.