The Merchant Shipping (Passenger Ship Construction: Ships of Classes III to VI (A)) Regulations 1998

• Citation: S.I. 1998/2515
• Sections: 78

Section 1 Citation and commencement

These Regulations may be cited as the Merchant Shipping (Passenger Ship Construction: Ships of Classes III to VI(A) Regulations 1998 and shall come into force on 12th November 1998.

Section 2 Interpretation

(1) In these Regulations:

(a) a reference to a ship constructed on or after a specified date is a reference to a ship the keel of which is laid or which is at a similar stage of construction on or after that date, except in the case of a ship the keel of which was laid or which was at a similar state of construction before a specified date, but which was not a passenger ship, which is converted to a passenger ship after that date, the ship is to be treated as constructed on the date of which such conversion commences;

(b) a reference to a numbered regulation is, unless otherwise stated, a reference to the regulation of that number in these Regulations;

(c) a reference to a numbered paragraph is, unless otherwise stated, a reference to the paragraph of that number in that regulation; and

(d) where a sub-heading refers to requirements or to additional requirements for certain ships, the text following such a sub-heading in that regulation (or until the next such sub-heading in that regulation) shall (unless the context otherwise requires) relate only to such ships.

(2) In these Regulations the following expressions have the following meanings respectively, except where the context requires otherwise—

“approved” means approved by the Secretary of State or, in relation to any equipment or arrangement mentioned in Merchant Shipping Notice No. M.1645, by any persons specified in that Notice in relation to such equipment or arrangement;

“auxiliary steering gear” means the equipment, other than any part of the main steering gear, necessary to steer the ship in the event of failure of the main steering gear but not including the tiller, quadrant or components serving the same purpose;

“breadth of the ship” means the greatest moulded breadth at or below the ship’s deepest subdivision load waterline;

“bulkhead deck” means the uppermost deck up to which transverse watertight bulkheads are carried;

“buoyancy test” means a test carried out in accordance with Schedule 2 Section 4 in Merchant Shipping Notice MSN 1699(M);

“Certifying Authority” means the Secretary of State or any person authorised by the Secretary of State;

“control room” means a room either within or outside a propelling machinery space from which propelling machinery and boilers may be controlled;

“crew space” means crew accommodation within the meaning of section 43 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995;

“dangerous goods” means goods defined as such in the Merchant Shipping (Dangerous Goods and Marine Pollutants) Regulations 1997 , and any reference to a particular Class of dangerous goods is a reference to that Class of dangerous goods as defined in those Regulations;

“dead ship condition” means the condition under which the main propulsion plant, boilers and auxiliaries are not in operation due to the absence of power;

“deadweight” means the difference in tonnes between the displacement of a ship in water of a specific gravity of 1.025 and the lightweight of the ship;

“draught” means the vertical distance from the moulded base line to a subdivision load waterline;

...

“ EEA State ” has the meaning given by Schedule 1 to the Interpretation Act 1978 ;

“emergency condition” means a condition under which any services needed for normal operational and habitable conditions are not in working order due to failure of the main source of electrical power;

“emergency source of electrical power” means a source of electric power intended to supply the emergency switchboard in the event of failure of the main source of electrical power;

“emergency switchboard” means a switchboard which in the event of failure of the main electrical power supply system is directly supplied by the emergency source of electrical power or the transitional source of emergency electrical power and is intended to distribute electrical energy to the emergency services;

“enclosed superstructure”means a superstructure—

which has enclosing bulkheads of efficient construction in which all access openings are fitted with sills and weathertight doors; and

in which all other openings in the sides or ends thereof are fitted with efficient weathertight means of closing;

but does not include a bridge or poop fulfilling these requirements unless access to machinery and other working spaces within the bridge or poop is provided by alternative means which are available at all times when access openings in the bulkheads of the bridge or poop are closed;

“every other ship” means , subject to regulation 3B(2), a ship which requires a heeling test or buoyancy test given in column 4 of the tables in section 1 of Schedule 2 in Merchant Shipping Notice MSN 1699(M);

“factor of subdivision” in relation to any ship or portion thereof means , subject to regulation 3B(2), the factor of subdivision determined in accordance with such provisions of Schedule 2 in Merchant Shipping Notice MSN 1699(M), as applied to that ship or portion as the case may be;

“favourable weather” means fine, clear settled weather with a sea state such as to cause only moderate rolling and/or pitching;

“freeboard deck” has the same meaning as in the Merchant Shipping (Load Line) Rules 1998 ;

“forward perpendicular” means the forward extremity of the length of the ship;

“hazardous area” means an area in which explosive gas-air mixtures are, or may be expected to be, present in quantities such as to require special precautions for the construction and use of electrical apparatus or other apparatus which otherwise would constitute a source of ignition;

“heeling test” means a test carried out in accordance with Schedule 2 Section 3 in Merchant Shipping Notice MSN 1699(M);

“high-speed craft” means a craft capable of a maximum speed in metres per second (m/s) equal to or exceeding: 3.7 ∇ 0.1667 where ∇ = volume of displacement corresponding to the design waterline (m3), excluding craft the hull of which is supported clear above the water surface in non displacement mode by aerodynamic forces generated by ground effect;

“independent power pump” means a pump operated by power otherwise than from the ship’s main engines;

“length” in relation to a ship, unless otherwise defined, means the length of a ship measured between perpendiculars taken at the extremities of the deepest subdivision load waterline;

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

“locked” means secured by a device which prevents unauthorised operation;

“machinery space” means any space extending from the moulded base line of the ship to the margin line and between the extreme transverse watertight bulkheads bounding the spaces containing the main and auxiliary propelling machinery, generators and boilers serving the needs of propulsion, when installed;

“machinery spaces of Category A” means a machinery space which contains—

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 kilowatts; or

any oil fired boiler or oil fuel unit;

“main generating station” means the space in which the main source of electrical power is situated;

“main source of electrical power” means a source intended to supply electrical power to the main switchboard for distribution to all services necessary for maintaining the ship in a normal operational and habitable condition;

“main steering gear” means the machinery, rudder actuators, steering gear power units, if any, and auxiliary equipment and the means of applying torque to the rudder stock, such as the tiller or quadrant, necessary for effecting movement of the rudder for the purpose of steering the ship under normal service conditions;

“main switchboard” means a switchboard which is directly supplied by the main source of electrical power and is intended to distribute electrical energy to the ship’s services;

“margin line” means a line at least 76 millimetres below the upper surface of the bulkhead deck at the side of a subdivided ship;

“Maritime and Coastguard Agency” means the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, an executive agency of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions;

“maximum ahead service speed” means the greatest speed which the ship is designed to maintain in service at sea at her deepest seagoing draught;

“Merchant Shipping Notice”, “Marine Guidance Note” or “Marine Information Note” means a Notice Note described as such and issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency;

“mile” means a nautical mile of 1,852 metres;

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

“noise level” means “A” weighted sound pressure level in decibels dB(A) as defined and tabulated in the British Standards specification number EN 60651:1994;

“nominated surveyor” means a surveyor nominated by the Secretary of State to undertake the surveys required by these Regulations and includes a marine surveyor of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency;

“open ro-ro cargo spaces” means ro-ro cargo spaces either open at both ends, or open at one end and provided with adequate natural ventilation effective over their entire length through permanent openings in the side plating or deckhead;

“open ship” means a ship in which all the passenger accommodation is completely open to the elements and is not fitted with a weathertight or watertight deck or structure above the waterline;

“passenger” means any person carried in a ship except—

a person employed or engaged in any capacity on board the ship on the business of the ship;

a person on board the ship either in pursuance of the obligation laid upon the master to carry shipwrecked, distressed or other persons, or by reason of any circumstances that neither the master nor the owner nor the charterer (if any) could have prevented; and

a child under one year of age;

“passenger ship” means a ship carrying more than 12 passengers and propelled by electricity or other mechanical power;

“passenger space” means a space provided for the use of passengers;

“public spaces” includes halls, dining rooms, bars, smoke rooms, lounges, recreation rooms, nurseries, libraries and similar public permanently enclosed spaces;

“ relevant standard of an EEA state ”, in relation to a reference to an International Standard or a British Standard, means—

a relevant standard or code of practice of a national standards body or equivalent body of an EEA State;

a relevant international standard recognised for use in an EEA State; or

a relevant specification acknowledged for use as a standard by a public authority of an EEA State,

being a standard, code of practice or specification which provides in use, levels of safety, suitability and fitness for purpose equivalent to those provided by the International Standard or the British Standard;

“ro-ro cargo spaces” means spaces not normally subdivided in any way and extending to either a substantial length or the entire length of the ship in which goods (packaged or in bulk, in or on rail or road cars, vehicles (including road or rail tankers), trailers, containers, pallets, demountable tanks or in or on similar stowage units or other receptacles) can be loaded and unloaded normally in a horizontal direction;

“ro-ro passenger ship” means a passenger ship provided with cargo or vehicle spaces not normally subdivided in any way and extending to either a substantial length or the entire length of the ship in which vehicles or cargo can be loaded or unloaded in a horizontal direction;

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

“similar stage of construction” means the stage at which—

construction identifiable with a specific ship begins; and

assembly of that ship has commenced comprising at least 50 tonnes or one per cent of the estimated mass of all structural material, whichever is less;

“special category space” means any enclosed space above or below the bulkhead deck intended for the carriage of motor vehicles with fuel in their tanks for their propulsion, into and from which such vehicles can be driven and to which passengers have access;

“stability information” means the information required to be provided in compliance with regulation 31;

“steering gear control system” means the equipment by which orders are transmitted from the navigating bridge to the steering gear power units. Steering gear control systems comprise transmitters, receivers, hydraulic control pumps and their associated motors, motor controllers, piping and cables;

“steering gear power unit” means—

in the case of electric steering gear, the electric motor and its associated electrical equipment;

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

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

“subdivided ship” means a ship which has a factor of subdivision of unity or 0.5;

“subdivision load waterline” means the waterline assumed in determining the subdivision of the ship in accordance with these Regulations;

“suitable” in relation to material means approved as suitable for the purpose for which it is used;

“superstructure” means a decked structure situated on or above the bulkhead deck which either extends from side to side of the ship or is such that its side plating is not inboard of the shell plating of the ship by more than 4 per cent of the breadth of the ship and, where the bulkhead deck of the ship consists of a lower deck, includes that part of the hull of the ship which extends above the bulkhead deck;

“United Kingdom ro-ro passenger ship” means a ro-ro passenger ship which is a United Kingdom ship;

“voyage” includes an excursion;

“watertight” in relation to a structure means capable of preventing the passage of water through the structure in any direction under the maximum head of water which it might have to sustain in the event of damage to the ship, but for structures below the bulkhead deck at least the head of water up to the ship’s margin line;

“weathertight” in relation to a structure means capable of preventing the passage of sea water through the structure in the worst sea and weather conditions likely to be encountered by the ship.

(3) Any reference in these Regulations to—

(a) a British Standard;

(b) a Merchant Shipping Notice; or

(c) any other specified code or guidelines;

shall include—

(i) a reference to any document amending that publication which is considered by the Secretary of State to be relevant from time to time and is specified in a Merchant Shipping Notice, Marine Guidance Note or Marine Information Note; and

(ii) with respect to a British Standard, a reference to a relevant standard of an EEA State ....

(4) Where a ship is operated by a person other than its owner (whether on behalf of the owner or some other person, or on his own behalf), a reference in these Regulations to the owner shall be construed as including a reference to that person.

(5) Any approval given pursuant to these Regulations shall be given in writing and shall specify the date it is to come into force and the conditions (if any) on which it is given.

(6)

(a)

(i) Subject to subparagraph (ii) below, for the purposes of these Regulations passenger ships shall be arranged in Classes as follows:—

(ii) The above Classes of ships do not include ships engaged on international voyages.

(b) For the purposes of this regulation the following expressions have the following meanings respectively—

“Category A, B, C or D waters” means the waters specified as such in Merchant Shipping Notice No. M.1504; and cognate expressions shall be construed accordingly;

“restricted period” means a period falling wholly within the following limits—

from the 1st April to 31st October, both dates inclusive; and

between one hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset in the case of ships fitted with navigation lights conforming to the collision regulations and betwen sunrise and sunset in the case of any other ships;

“sea” does not include any waters of Category A, B, C or D.

Section 3 Application

Subject to regulation 3A below, and to regulation (5)(1) of the Merchant Shipping (Passenger Ships on Domestic Voyages) Regulations 2000 (which relates to passenger ships of Classes III , VI and VI (A) which are 24 metres or over in length and are existing ships, engaged on domestic voyages, for the purposes of those Regulations), these Regulations apply to passenger ships of Classes III, IV, V, VI and VI(A) except that these Regulations shall not apply to high speed craft to which the Merchant Shipping (High Speed Craft) Regulations 2022 apply.

Section 3A Application

These Regulations do not apply to—

(a) any passenger ship of Class III, VI or VI(A) which is a new ship, engaged on domestic voyages, for the purposes of the Merchant Shipping (Passenger Ships on Domestic Voyages) Regulations 2000,

(b) any passenger ship to which the Merchant Shipping (Passenger Ships) (Safety Code for UK Categorised Waters) Regulations 2010 apply,

(c) any vessel to which the Merchant Shipping (Technical Requirements for Inland Waterway Vessels) Regulations 2010 apply.

Section 3B

(1) The amendments made to these Regulations by regulation 3(4) to (8) of the Merchant Shipping (Safety Standards for Passenger Ships on Domestic Voyages) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2022 do not apply to a ship until the date of that ship’s first survey after the second anniversary of the date on which those Regulations came into force.

(2) The amendments made to Merchant Shipping Notice 1699 (M) by Amendment 3 do not apply to a ship until the date of that ship’s first survey after the anniversary specified in paragraph (1).

(3) For the purposes of paragraphs (1) and (2), “ survey ” means the ship’s renewal survey as required by regulation 6(3)(b) of the Merchant Shipping (Survey and Certification) Regulations 2015.

Section 4 Exemptions for certain Classes of ships and individual ships

The Secretary of State may exempt certain Classes of ships or individual ships from the provisions of any of the regulations contained in these Regulations, subject to such conditions as he may specify, and may alter or cancel any exemption so granted. In particular he may exempt from any of the requirements of these Regulations—

(a) any ship, the keel of which was laid, or which was at a similar stage of construction before 25th May 1980, not being a ship converted on or after 25th May 1980 to the extent that compliance therewith is unreasonable or impractical in the circumstances;

(b) any ship which embodies features of a novel kind, if the application might, in his opinion, seriously impede research into the development of such features and their incorporation in ships. Any such ship shall, however, comply with safety requirements which are adequate for the service for which it is intended and are such as to ensure the overall safety of the ship; and

(c) either absolutely, or subject to such conditions as he thinks fit, any ship constructed before the requirement first came in force, if he is satisfied that compliance with that requirement is either impractical or unreasonable in the case of that ship.

Section 5 Approved standards

In complying with the requirements of these Regulations, with respect to construction or maintenance relating to hull, machinery, electrical installations and control installations, United Kingdom ships shall comply with the approved standards listed in Merchant Shipping Notice No. M. 1672 which are relevant to it.

Section 6 Structural strength

The structural strength of every ship shall be sufficient for the service for which the ship is intended.

Section 7 Construction of watertight bulkheads

(1) Every portion of the ship required by these Regulations to be watertight shall be constructed in accordance with such of the requirements of Schedule 4 in Merchant Shipping Notice MSN 1699(M) as apply to it.

(2) All tanks forming part of the structure of the ship and used for the storage of oil fuel or other liquids including double bottoms, peak tanks, settling tanks and bunkers shall be of a design and construction adequate for that purpose.

Section 8 Watertight subdivision

Every subdivided ship shall be subdivided by bulkheads, which shall be watertight up to the bulkhead deck, into compartments the maximum length of which shall be calculated in accordance with such of the provisions of Section 2 of Schedule 2 in Merchant Shipping Notice MSN 1699(M) as apply to that ship. Every other portion of the internal structure which affects the efficiency of the subdivision of the ship shall be watertight, and shall be of a design which will maintain the integrity of the subdivision.

Section 9 Peak and machinery space bulkheads, shaft tunnels

(1) Every subdivided ship shall be provided with a collision bulkhead which shall be watertight up to the bulkhead deck and shall be fitted at a distance from the ship’s forward perpendicular of not less than five per cent of the length of the ship and not more than three metres plus five per cent of such length. If the ship has a forward superstructure, the collision bulkhead shall be extended weathertight to the deck next above the bulkhead deck. The extension shall not be required to be fitted directly over the bulkhead below, provided that it is at least five per cent of the length of the ship from the forward perpendicular and the part of the bulkhead deck which forms the step is made effectively weathertight. A collision bulkhead need not be provided if the design of the ship, its service or its operation makes its fitting unnecessary.

(2) Every such ship shall be provided with a watertight afterpeak bulkhead and with watertight bulkheads, dividing the space appropriate to the main and auxiliary propelling machinery (and boilers if any) from other spaces. Such bulkheads shall be watertight up to the bulkhead deck provided that the afterpeak bulkhead may be stopped below the bulkhead deck if the safety of the ship as regards subdivision is not thereby impaired.

(3) The stern gland of every such ship shall be situated in a watertight shaft tunnel or other watertight space separate from the stern tube compartment and of such a volume that if the tunnel or space is flooded the margin line will not be submerged.

Additional requirements for ships constructed on or after 1st September 1984

(4) Where bow doors are fitted and a sloping loading ramp forms part of the extension of the collision bulkhead above the bulkhead deck, any part of the ramp structure which is more than 2.3 metres above the bulkhead deck may extend forward of the limit specified in paragraph (1). The ramp shall form a complete weathertight closure of the collision bulkhead extension above the bulkhead deck.

Section 10 Weatherdeck

On a subdivided ship the bulkhead deck or a deck above the bulkhead deck shall be weathertight. All openings in an exposed weathertight deck shall have coamings of adequate height and strength and shall be provided with efficient and rapid means of closing so as to make them weathertight. Freeing ports, open rails and scuppers shall be fitted as necessary for rapidly clearing the weather deck of water under all weather conditions.

Section 11 Partial subdivision above the bulkhead deck

On subdivided ships all reasonable and practicable measures shall be taken to limit, where necessary, the entry and spread of water above the bulkhead deck. Such measures may include partial bulkheads or webs. Where such partial watertight bulkheads and webs are fitted on the bulkhead deck, above or in the immediate vicinity of main subdivision bulkheads, they shall have watertight shell and bulkhead deck connections so as to restrict the flow of water along the deck when the ship is heeled in a damaged condition. Where such partial watertight bulkheads do not coincide with the bulkheads below, the bulkhead deck between shall be made effectively watertight.

Section 12 Openings in watertight bulkheads

Bulkheads required by these Regulations to be watertight shall not be pierced by doorways, ventilation trunks or other similar openings, unless such openings are essential for the proper working of the ship and do not impair the ship’s survivability standard.

Section 13 Openings in the shell plating below the bulkhead deck

(1) In every subdivided ship the number of sidescuttles, scuppers, sanitary discharges and other openings in the shell below the bulkhead deck shall be the minimum compatible with the design and proper working of the ship. Every such sidescuttle shall be a non-opening type and shall be fitted with efficient hinged deadlights permanently attached so that it can be readily and effectively closed and secured watertight.

(2) The arrangements for closing every such opening below the bulkhead deck shall be consistent with its intended purpose and shall be such as will ensure watertightness.

(3) In every subdivided ship the design and operation of openings in the shell plating below the bulkhead deck shall take into account the specifications set out in Schedule 10 in Merchant Shipping Notice MSN 1699(M).

Section 14 Side and other openings above the bulkhead deck

(1) In every subdivided ship, sidescuttles, windows, gangway ports, cargo ports, bunkering ports and other openings in the shell above the bulkhead deck and their means of closing shall be of efficient design and construction and of sufficient strength having regard to the spaces in which they are fitted and to their positions relative to the deepest subdivision load waterline and to the intended service of the ship. All sidescuttles and windows shall be manufactured to standards recognised by the Certifying Authority.

(2) In every subdivided ship efficiently hinged deadlights, which can be easily closed and secured watertight, shall be provided for all sidescuttles to spaces below the first deck above the bulkhead deck and, in the case of a ship which is marked with a summer load line, to all sidescuttles in an enclosed superstructure.

(3) In every subdivided ship which is marked with a summer load line, each discharge led through the shell above the margin line from a space below the freeboard deck or from within any enclosed superstructure or from within any deckhouse on the freeboard deck which is fitted with weathertight doors, shall take into account the requirements of paragraph 2(2) of Schedule 10 in Merchant Shipping Notice MSN 1699(M) with efficient means for preventing water from passing inboard.

Section 15 Interpretations

In this Part “a closing appliance” shall be deemed to be below the margin line if the sill of the opening with which it is associated is below that line.

Section 16 Closure of hull openings and openings in watertight bulkheads

(1) The following closing appliances are to be securely closed before the ship proceeds on any voyage and are to be kept so closed until the ship has been secured at a berth or anchorage—

(a) sidescuttles which can be opened and which are situated below the bulkhead deck;

(b) deadlights of any sidescuttles which are situated below the bulkhead deck and which—

(i) will not be accessible whilst the ship is at sea; or

(ii) are situated in spaces appropriated for use sometimes for the carriage of cargo and sometimes for use by passengers, while such spaces are being used for the carriage of cargo; and

(c) gangway and cargo-loading doors below the bulkhead deck.

(2) No closing appliance described in paragraph (1) shall be considered as being securely closed unless it is locked.

(3) Every portable plate closing an opening below the bulkhead deck in any portion of the internal structure of the ship which is required to be watertight shall be fitted in place before the ship proceeds on any voyage and shall be kept in place, except in case of urgent necessity, until the ship has been secured at a berth or anchorage. In replacing any such plate all reasonable precautions shall be taken to ensure that the joints are watertight.

(4) Both the watertight cover and the automatic non-return valve of any overboard discharge having its inboard opening below the margin line shall be kept closed and secured when such device is not in use.

Section 17 Marking of valves, doors and mechanisms

All doors, valves and mechanisms connected with the damage control and watertight integrity of the ship shall be suitably marked to ensure that they may be properly used to provide maximum safety.

Section 18 Drills and inspections

(1) All deadlights which are accessible, all watertight doors, all valves and closing mechanisms of scuppers and the devices referred to in regulation 16(4) shall be opened and closed for purposes of drill—

(a) at intervals of not more than seven days; and

(b) immediately before the ship proceeds to sea if the ship is intended to remain at sea for a period of more than seven days.

(2) All closing appliances and devices referred to in regulation 16(1) and (4) shall be inspected by a person appointed by the master for that purpose before the ship proceeds on any voyage.

(3) The following closing appliances and mechanisms are to be inspected at intervals of not more than seven days by a person appointed for that purpose either generally or on any particular occasion by the master—

(a) all valves, the closing of which is necessary to make watertight any compartment below the margin line; and

(b) all valves, the operation of which is necessary for the efficient operation of damage-control cross-connections.

Section 19 Notices

Suitable notices and signs shall be provided on, or in the vicinity of, all the closing appliances referred to in regulation 16 to indicate, as necessary, the procedures for operating the appliances, the purpose of the controls and any precautions to be observed.

Section 20 Entries to be recorded

Entries shall be made in a book retained on board to record the following—

(1) the times of the last closing, before the ship proceeds on any voyage, of the closing appliances referred to in regulation 16(1) and of the next opening of such closing appliances;

(2) the times when the portable plates referred to in regulation 16(3) are fitted in place and the times of any removal and replacement of such plates whilst the ship is on any voyage; and

(3) the occasions on which drills are held and inspections made in compliance with these Regulations and whether or not the closing appliances and devices to which any such drill or inspection relates are in good working order when the drill or inspection takes place.

Section 21 Application and interpretation

(1) This Part applies to—

(a) United Kingdom ro-ro passenger ships; and

(b) non-United Kingdom ro-ro passenger ships with the exception of—

(i) regulation 24(2) and (3);

(ii) regulation 26(2) to the extent that it relates to regulation 24(2);

(iii) regulation 27(1) and (2) to the extent that it relates to any berth which is not situated within a port in the United Kingdom; and

(iv) regulation 28(2).

(2) In this Part the following expressions have the following meanings—

“doors” includes bow visors and appliances described in regulation 22(1)(c);

“length” means the ship’s overall length; and

“loading doors” means the doors described in regulation 22(1)(a) to (d) inclusive.

(3) A door shall be deemed to be above the bulkhead deck if the sill of the opening with which it is associated is above that deck.

Section 22 Closure of main loading doors

(1) Except in the cases specified in paragraphs (2) and (4) the following loading doors—

(a) gangway and cargo loading doors fitted in the shell or boundaries or enclosed superstructures;

(b) bow visors so fitted;

(c) weathertight ramps so fitted and used instead of doors for closing openings for cargo or vehicle loading; and

(d) cargo loading doors in the collision bulkhead;

shall be closed and locked before the ship leaves its berth and shall be kept closed and locked until the ship has been secured at its next berth.

(2) Where a bow visor or a weathertight ramp cannot be opened or closed while the ship is secured at its berth, it may so far as necessary and subject to paragraph (3) be opened or kept open while the ship approaches or draws away from its berth, as the case may be.

(3) In no case shall a loading door be open when the ship is more than one ship’s length from the cargo loading or discharging position of its berth.

(4) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to small doors intended to be used for pilot access, fuelling or other matters necessary for the operation of the ship and not intended to be used by passengers or for loading cargo.

Section 23 Supervision and reporting of closure

(1) Before the ship proceeds on a voyage an officer appointed for the purpose by the master shall—

(a) verify that every loading door has been closed and locked; and

(b) report the fact that they have been closed and locked to the master or other officer in charge of the bridge.

(2) Save as permitted by regulation 22(2) the ship shall not proceed on a voyage until the report referred to in sub-paragraph (1)(b) has been received by the master or other officer in charge of the bridge.

Section 24 Closure of weathertight doors in bulkheads

(1) Weathertight doors above the bulkhead deck (except doors fitted in collision bulkheads to which regulation 22 applies) which are fitted in bulkheads which are required to be watertight or weathertight as the case may be and which separate or form the boundary of cargo spaces shall be closed and locked before the ship leaves its berth and be kept closed and locked until the ship has been secured at its next berth.

(2) Weathertight doors above the bulkhead deck fitted in the shell or in bulkheads which are required to be watertight or weathertight, other than those doors described in regulations 22(1) and 24(1), shall be kept closed whilst the ship is on any voyage except when opened on the express authority of the master.

(3) Any weathertight door which may be opened in accordance with the exception to paragraph (2) shall be kept clear of obstructions which might prevent its rapid closure.

Section 25 Opening of doors in an emergency

Notwithstanding the provisions of regulations 22(1) and 24(1), gangway and cargo loading doors may be opened in an emergency but only when the master considers such opening will not put the safety of the ship at risk.

Section 26 Entries in a record book

Entries shall be made in a book retained on board for recording the following—

(1) the times of the last closing, in accordance with regulations 22(1) and 24(1), of the weathertight doors referred to in those regulations and of the next opening of such doors; and

(2) the times of the opening and closing of any weathertight door pursuant to regulations 24(2) and 25.

Section 27 Listing of loading and unloading berths

(1) The owner of the ship shall ensure that the ship is provided with a list (the Berth List) of all loading berths at which it is intended the ship shall load or discharge cargo or vehicles.

(2) The Berth List shall list separately for each port which the ship is intended to visit to load or discharge cargo or vehicles—

(a) the loading berths at which the ship in question can, when so loading or discharging, comply with the requirements of regulation 22(1) without relying on paragraph (2) of that regulation; and

(b) where it is intended that the ship shall so load or discharge in the manner permitted by regulation 22(2), the loading berths at which it will so load or discharge.

The berths of the type described in sub-paragraph (b) shall be listed separately from those of the type described in sub-paragraph (a).

(3) A copy of the ship’s Berth List shall be supplied to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

(4) No ro-ro passenger ship shall, except in an emergency, load or discharge cargo or vehicles through a loading door at any berth which is not listed in the ship’s Berth List (and in the copy thereof supplied to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency).

Section 28 Written instructions regarding the opening of weathertight doors

(1) The owner of a ship shall ensure that the ship is provided with written instructions concerning the doors referred to in this Part.

(2) Such written instructions shall be approved by the Certifying Authority.

Section 29 Compliance with written instructions

No door shall be opened or closed except in compliance with the written instructions provided in accordance with regulation 28.

Section 30 Intact stability standard

After correcting for the effect of free surface of liquids in tanks every subdivided ship shall, in all probable loading conditions, satisfy the stability criteria set out in Schedule 1 in Merchant Shipping Notice MSN 1699(M).

Section 31 Inclining and stability information

(1) Every subdivided ship on completion shall be inclined and the elements of her stability determined and every other ship shall undergo the heeling test or buoyancy test specified in Sections 3 and 4 of Schedule 2 in Merchant Shipping Notice MSN 1699(M) respectively. The master shall be supplied by the owner with approved information relating to the stability of the ship in accordance with the following provisions of this regulation.

(2)

(i) In each period of five years every subdivided ship shall have a lightweight survey, to verify any changes in lightship displacement and longitudinal centre of gravity; and every other ship shall undergo the heeling test or buoyancy tests specified in Sections 3 and 4 of Schedule 2 in Merchant Shipping Notice MSN 1699(M) respectively, to verify any changes in the heeling or buoyancy characteristics.

(ii) Such periods shall commence on the date of issue of either a Passenger Certificate or from a previous inclining or lightweight survey, whichever date is earliest.

(iii) The ship shall be re-inclined whenever, in comparison with the ship’s approved stability information derived from the previous inclining experiment, a deviation from the lightship displacement exceeding 2 per cent or a deviation of the longitudinal centre of gravity exceeding 1 per cent of the ship’s length is found or anticipated.

(iv) Every inclining or lightweight survey or tests made for this purpose or for the purpose of this regulation shall be carried out in the presence of a nominated surveyor.

(v) The interval between the lightweight surveys or tests of any such ship may be extended for a period of not more than one year if, on the production of relevant information about the ship, it can be shown that the lightweight survey or test is not necessary at the required interval.

(3) An approved report of each inclining or lightweight survey or test carried out in accordance with this regulation and of the calculation therefrom of the lightship condition, or heeling or buoyancy particulars, as applicable, shall be placed on board for the use of the master.

(4) Where elements of a ship’s stability have been found to have changed following any inclining or lightweight survey or test carried out in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (3), the master shall be supplied with amended approved stability information.

(5) Where any alterations are made to a ship so as materially to affect the stability information supplied to the master amended stability information shall be provided and the ship shall be re-inclined.

(6) For subdivided ships stability information provided pursuant to paragraphs (1), (3), (4) and (5) shall be furnished in the form of a book (the stability information book) which shall be kept on board the ship at all times in the custody of the master. The information shall include particulars appropriate to the ship and shall be in a form acceptable to the certifying authority.

(7) Ships required to comply with the heeling test or buoyancy test specified in Sections 3 and 4 of Schedule 2 in Merchant Shipping Notice MSN 1699(M) shall be furnished with stability information in the form of a written record setting out the principal particulars.

Section 32 Standard of survivability

(1) Subject to regulation 3B(2) (application), every ship shall comply with the appropriate standard of survivability in accordance with column 4 of either Table 1 or Table 2 (as appropriate) in Schedule 2 in Merchant Shipping Notice MSN 1699(M) as determined by the description of ships given in columns 1 to 3 of the Tables.

(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section 33 Stability in the damaged condition

(1) This regulation applies to all subdivided ships constructed before 29th April 1990.

(2)

(a)

(i) In addition to the requirements of regulation 30 every ship shall be so constructed as to provide sufficient intact stability in all service conditions to enable the ship to withstand the flooding of any one of the main compartments into which the ship is subdivided in accordance with the requirements of regulation 32.

(ii) If two of the main compartments, being adjacent to each other, are separated by a bulkhead which is stepped under the conditions of paragraph 4(3)(a) of Section 2 of Schedule 2 in Merchant Shipping Notice MSN 1699(M), the intact stability shall be adequate to withstand the flooding of those two adjacent main compartments.

(b) Where in any ship in relation to which the factor of subdivision required by regulation 32 is 0.50, the intact stability shall be adequate to withstand the flooding of any two adjacent main compartments.

(3)

(a) For the purposes of this regulation the sufficiency of the intact stability shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of sections 1 and 2 in Schedule 3 in Merchant Shipping Notice MSN 1699(M).

(b)

(i) The intact stability of every ro-ro passenger ship shall be re-examined in accordance with the provisions of sections 2 or 3 of Schedule 3 as appropriate in Merchant Shipping Notice MSN 1699(M) in order to establish the sufficiency of positive stability provided as required by sub-paragraphs (2)(a) and (3)(a) whenever considered necessary in connection with amended stability information prepared in accordance with regulation 31(4) and (5).

(ii) Such re-examinations shall demonstrate that at all stages of flooding there is sufficient positive residual stability after the assumed damage prescribed in section 1 of Schedule 3 in Merchant Shipping Notice MSN 1699(M).

(4)

(a)

(i) Every ship shall be so constructed as to keep asymmetrical flooding, when the ship is in a damaged condition, at the minimum consistent with efficient arrangements.

(ii) If cross-flooding fittings are provided in any such ship the fitting shall, where practicable, be self-acting but in any case where controls to cross-flooding fittings are provided, they shall be capable of being operated from an accessible position above the bulkhead deck.

(iii) Such fittings together with their controls as well as the maximum heel before equalisation shall be such as will not endanger the safety of the ship.

(iv) The cross-flooding fittings shall be capable of reducing the heel within 15 minutes sufficiently to meet the requirements of sub-paragraph 2(b)(iii) of sections 2 or 3 of Schedule 3 as appropriate in Merchant Shipping Notice MSN 1699(M).

(b) If the margin line may become submerged during the flooding assumed for the purposes of the calculation referred to in Schedule 3 in Merchant Shipping Notice MSN 1699(M), the construction of the ship shall be such as will enable the master of the ship to ensure—

(i) that the maximum angle of heel during any stage of such flooding will not be such as will endanger the safety of the ship; and

(ii) that the margin line will not be submerged in the final stage of flooding.

Requirements for subdivided ships constructed on or after 29th April 1990

(5) Every ship shall comply with the provisions of paragraphs (1) to (4) except that—

(a) for the purpose of paragraph (3)(a) the sufficiency of intact stability shall be calculated in accordance with section 1 and 3 of Schedule 3 in Merchant Shipping Notice MSN 1699(M); and

(b) the heel referred to in paragraph (4)(a) shall not exceed 15 degrees and the cross-flooding fittings shall be capable of meeting the requirements of section 3(2)(c) of Schedule 3 in Merchant Shipping Notice MSN 1699.

Section 34 Loading and stability assessment of ro-ro passenger ships of Classes III, IV and V

(1) This regulation applies to ro-ro passenger ships of Classes III, IV and V.

(2)

(a) The owner shall ensure that the master is provided with information relating to the ship’s stability during the process of loading and unloading. This information shall be included in the ship’s stability information.

(b) Where any alterations are made or changes occur to the ship so as materially to affect information supplied to the master in accordance with sub-paragraph (a), amended information shall be provided.

(c) The information provided pursuant to sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) shall be kept on board the ship at all times in the custody of the master.

(3) The master shall use the information provided in accordance with paragraph (2) and, when necessary, make calculations or cause calculations to be made in order to ensure that during loading and unloading the ship has adequate stability and the freeboard at any door giving access to the hull or to an enclosed superstructure is sufficient to prevent the entry of water.

(4)

(a) On completion of the loading and before it proceeds on a voyage the master or an officer appointed for the purpose shall ascertain—

(i) the ship’s draught at the bow and at the stern;

(ii) the trim of the ship by the bow or the stern; and

(iii) the vertical distance from the waterline to the appropriate subdivision load line mark on each side of the ship.

(b) The draughts, trim and the vertical distances ascertained in accordance with paragraph (a) shall be recorded in a book retained on board for that purpose.

(5) Subject to paragraph (6), before proceeding on a voyage the master shall—

(a) cause the maximum permissible vertical position of the ship’s centre of gravity relative to its keel ( KG ) or the minimum permissible transverse metacentric height ( GM ) whichever is appropriate to the ship, to be determined and recorded in a book retained on board for that purpose; and

(b) ensure that the condition of loading of the ship as recorded in accordance with sub-paragraph (5)(a) is within the permissible standard of stability determined in accordance with sub-paragraph (4)(b) and satisfies all the relevant requirements prescribed in the stability information book.

(6)

(a) Where a ship regularly plies to and from the same place in conditions of loading which correspond closely to conditions of loading which are clearly specified in the stability information book and such specified conditions of loading allow a sufficient margin of stability beyond the minimum required for safety purposes to allow for small variations which might occur between a specified condition of loading and the actual loading of the ship, the Secretary of State may approve the conditions of loading so specified.

(b) When conditions of loading have been approved in accordance with sub-paragraph (a) before the ship proceeds on a voyage the master shall—

(i) ensure that the actual condition of loading of the ship corresponds closely to one of the specified conditions of loading so approved; and

(ii) record the specified condition of loading so approved to which the actual condition corresponds, in a book specially retained on board for that purpose.

(7) A copy of the information required by sub-paragraph (6)(b)(ii) shall be forwarded, as soon as is practicable, to a person nominated by the owner as being responsible and retained in his custody for a period of at least one calendar month.

Section 35 Draught marks

Every subdivided ship shall have scale of draughts marked clearly at the bow and stern.

Section 36 Subdivision load lines

Every subdivided ship shall be marked on its side amidships with the subdivision load lines assigned to it in accordance with Schedule 5 in Merchant Shipping Notice MSN 1699(M).

Section 37 Freeboard marking

Passenger ships which are not required to be subdivided shall be marked on the side amidships with the freeboard assigned in accordance with paragraph 2 of Section 3 of Schedule 2 in Merchant Shipping Notice MSN (1699(M). The mark shall consist of a horizontal line 25 millimetres in breadth and 300 millimetres in length. The colour and method of marking shall be in accordance with regulation 36.

Section 38 Exhibition of damage control plans

In every subdivided ship there shall be permanently exhibited, for the information of the officer in charge of the ship, plans showing clearly for each level the boundaries of the watertight compartments, the openings therein, the means of closing such openings and the position of the controls and the arrangements for the correction of any list due to flooding. In addition, booklets containing such information shall be made available by the owner for the use of the officers of the ship.

Section 39 Sounding pipes

In every ship all tanks forming part of the structure of the ship and all watertight compartments, not being part of the machinery space, shall be provided with efficient sounding arrangements which shall be protected where necessary against damage.

Section 40 General

(1) Every ship shall be provided with an efficient pumping plant capable of pumping from and draining any watertight compartment in the ship, other than a space permanently appropriated for the carriage of fresh water, water ballast or oil and for which other efficient means of pumping or drainage is provided, under all conditions likely to arise in practice after a casualty, whether or not the ship remains upright. Wing suctions shall be provided if necessary. Efficient arrangements shall be provided whereby water in any watertight compartment may find its way to the suction pipes.

(2) Sanitary, ballast and general service pumps having a suitable capacity in accordance with paragraph 5(3) of Schedule 6 in Merchant Shipping Notice MSN 1699(M) may be accepted as independent power pumps if fitted with necessary connections to the bilge pump systems.

Section 41 Number and type of bilge pumps

Subject to regulation 3B(2) (application), every ship shall be provided with bilge pumps in accordance with tables set out in Schedule 6 in Merchant Shipping Notice MSN 1699(M).

Section 42 Requirements for bilge pumps and bilge suctions

Subject to regulation 3B(2) (application), bilge pumps and bilge piping provided in any ship to meet the requirements of these Regulations shall as far as practicable meet the conditions and specifications set out in Schedule 6 in Merchant Shipping Notice MSN 1699(M).

Section 42A Requirement for bilge alarms

(1) Subject to regulation 3B, every ship shall be fitted, at each of the locations listed in paragraph (2), with an alarm capable of detecting the presence of water in the bilges (“bilge alarm”) in accordance with Schedule 6 to Merchant Shipping Notice 1699 (M).

(2) The locations are—

(a) any machinery space; and

(b) any other space where water in the bilges is likely to accumulate.

(3) A bilge alarm fitted to meet the requirements of this regulation shall include—

(a) an audible, and a separate visual, warning at the control position for each space in which an alarm is fitted; and

(b) an audible alarm which, once activated, continues to sound until it is acknowledged by positive action and shall not automatically cease sounding of its own accord.

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (3), “ control position ” means the area from which the command and navigation of the ship is carried out.

Section 43 General

(1) In every ship 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)

(i) In every ship constructed before 25th May 1980 where the power supply for an automatic sprinkler system is required to have not less than two sources of power supply for sea-water pumps, air compressors and automatic alarms, and that power is electrical, such supplies shall be taken from the main generating sets and from an emergency source of electric power.

(ii) One supply shall be taken from the main switchboard and another from the emergency switchboard, by separate feeders reserved solely for that purpose.

(iii) Such feeders shall be run to a change-over switch situated near to the sprinkler unit and the switch shall normally be kept closed to the feeder from the emergency switchboard.

(iv) The change-over switch shall be clearly labelled and no other switch shall be permitted in these feeders.

(v) For ships constructed on or after 25th May 1980 the electrical arrangements for any automatic sprinkler and fire alarm and fire detection system shall comply with the requirements specified in Schedule 2 of Merchant Shipping Notice MSN 1666.

(3) The electrical equipment and installations in every ship shall be such that—

(a) all electrical auxiliary services necessary for maintaining the ship in normal operational and habitable condition will be ensured without recourse to the emergency source of electrical power; and

(b) the electrical services essential for safety will be ensured under emergency conditions.

Section 44 Main source of electrical power and main switchboards: ships of Class III

(i) In every ship of Class III a main source of electrical power shall be provided of sufficient capacity to supply all the services referred to in regulation 43(3)(a) and (b).

(ii) The main source of electrical power shall be arranged so that such services can be maintained regardless of the speed and direction of rotation of the propulsion machinery or shafting.

(iii) The main source of electrical power shall consist of at least two generating sets, such that auxiliary services essential for the propulsion and safety of the ship can be operated when any one of the sets is out of service.

(iv) Arrangements shall be made which will safeguard such sets from being rendered inoperative in the event of the partial flooding of the ship’s machinery space through leakage from a damaged compartment or otherwise.

(2) In any ship with only one main generating station, the main switchboard shall be located in the same space as the main generating sets. Where there is more than one main generating station and only one main switchboard, that switchboard shall be located in the same space as one of the main generating stations. Where other essential features of the ship render the application of these requirements impracticable the provision of equivalent arrangements may be permitted. For the purpose of this paragraph an environmental enclosure for the main switchboard, such as a machinery control room fitted within the main boundary of the space, does not provide separation between the generating sets and switchboards.

Additional requirements for ships of Class III constructed on or after 1st September 1984

(3)

(a) Load shedding or other equivalent arrangements shall be provided to protect the generators required by paragraph (1) against sustained overload.

(b) Where two or more generating sets may be in operation at the same time for maintaining the auxiliary services essential for the propulsion or safety of the ship, provision shall be made for the sets to operate in parallel.

(c) Any transforming equipment supplying an electrical system referred to in this regulation shall be arranged to ensure the same continuity of supply as that required for generating sets by this regulation.

(4) The arrangement of the generating sets required by paragraph (1) shall be such that with any one of the sets out of service—

(a) normal operational conditions of propulsion and safety of the ship and minimum comfortable conditions of habitability including those for cooking, heating, domestic refrigeration, mechanical ventilation, sanitary and fresh water can be maintained; and

(b) from a dead ship condition, the remaining sets are capable of providing the electrical services necessary to start the main propulsion plant. The emergency source of electrical power may be used for this purpose if it is capable of simultaneously supplying the emergency supplies required by these Regulations or is capable of supplying such services when combined with any other source of electrical power.

Section 45 Lighting systems Requirements for ships constructed on or after 1st September 1984

(1) The main source of electrical power shall be capable of illuminating any part of the ship normally accessible to and used by the passengers or the crew.

(2) Emergency electrical lighting provided in accordance with these Regulations shall be arranged so that a fire or other casualty in spaces containing the emergency source of electrical power, the associated transforming equipment, if any, the emergency switchboard and the emergency lighting switchboard will not render inoperative the main electrical lighting system required by paragraph (1).

(3) Lighting fittings shall be arranged to prevent rises in temperature which would be injurious to the fitting or the electric wiring or which would result in a risk of fire.

Section 46 Emergency source of electrical power and emergency switchboards: ships of Class III

(1) In a ship of Class III which is provided with an emergency bilge pump in compliance with Schedule 6 in Merchant Shipping Notice MSN 1699(M), or an emergency fire pump, being an electrically operated pump, there shall be provided, in a position above the bulkhead deck outside of the machinery casings, a self-contained emergency source of electrical power, capable of operating the pump for a period of 24 hours.

(2) The emergency source of electrical power shall be either an accumulator (storage) battery capable of complying with the requirement of paragraph (1), without being recharged, whilst maintaining the voltage of the battery throughout the required discharge period within 12 per cent of the normal voltage, or a generator driven by internal combustion machinery with an individual fuel supply and with efficient starting arrangements and the fuel provided shall have a flashpoint of not less than 43°C.

(3) The emergency source of electric power shall be so arranged that it will operate efficiently when the ship is listed to 22.5 degrees and when the trim of the ship is 10 degrees from an even keel.

(4) The emergency switchboard shall be situated as near as practicable to the emergency source of emergency electrical power. If the emergency source of electrical power is a generating set—

(a) the emergency switchboard shall be situated in the same space as the generator unless the operation of the emergency switchboard would be thereby impaired; and

(b) an interconnecting feeder, adequately protected at each end, connecting the main and emergency switchboards shall be fitted.

For the purposes of this paragraph an environmental enclosure within the main boundaries of the space does not provide separation between the emergency generator and the emergency switchboard.

(5) Any accumulator battery required by this regulation shall not be installed in the same space as the emergency switchboard.

Additional requirements for ships of Class III constructed on or after 1st September 1984

(5) The emergency source of electrical power and its associated equipment shall be in accordance with the relevant conditions and specifications set out in Schedule 7 in Merchant Shipping Notice MSN 1699(M).

Section 47 General precautions against shock, fire and other hazards

(1) All electrical equipment shall be so constructed and installed that there will be no danger or injury to any person handling it in a proper manner. Exposed metal parts of electrical 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 unless such equipment is—

(a) supplied at a voltage not exceeding 50 volts direct current or 55 volts root mean square alternating current between conductors hereinafter referred to as RMS ac, from a source other than an auto-transformer;

(b) supplied at a voltage not exceeding 250 volts RMS ac by safety isolating transformers supplying only one consuming device; or

(c) of double insulation construction.

(2) All electrical apparatus shall be constructed and installed so that it will not cause injury when handled or touched in the normal manner. In particular when electric lamps, welding equipment, tools or other apparatus are used in confined or damp spaces or spaces with large exposed conductive surfaces, special provision shall be made so far as practicable, to ensure that the danger of electric shock is reduced to a minimum. Such spaces shall at least include open decks and machinery spaces.

(3) Every main and emergency switchboard shall be so arranged as to give easy access for operation and sufficient access for maintenance 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 front where necessary. No exposed parts which may have a voltage between conductors or to earth exceeding 250 volts direct current or 50 volts RMS ac shall be installed on the face of any switchboard or control panel.

(4) Subject to paragraph (6) the hull-return system shall not be used in any such ship for power, heat and light distribution systems.

(5) The final sub-circuits of any hull-return system of distribution shall be two-wire.

(6) The requirements of paragraphs (4) and (5) do not preclude the use of—

(a) impressed current cathodic protection systems;

(b) limited and locally earthed systems; and

(c) insulation monitoring devices with a maximum circulation current of 30 milliamperes.

(7) The insulation of any distribution system that is not earthed shall be continuously monitored by a system capable of giving audible and visual indication of abnormally low insulation values.

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

(9) Each separate electrical circuit, other than a circuit which operates the ship’s steering gear, shall, unless it is permitted otherwise, 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) All lighting and power circuits terminating in a cargo space shall be provided with a multiple pole switch outside the space for disconnecting all such circuits.

(11) Accumulator batteries shall be housed in boxes or compartments which are constructed to protect the batteries from damage and are so ventilated as to minimise the accumulation of explosive gas. Subject to regulation 48(1), electrical or other equipment which may constitute a source of ignition of flammable vapours shall not be installed in any compartment assigned to accumulator batteries. Accumulator batteries shall not be installed in sleeping accommodation spaces.

(12) Every electrical space-heater forming part of the equipment of 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.

(13) All electric cables external to equipment shall be flame retardant and shall be installed so that their flame retarding or equivalent properties are not impaired. The Certifying Authority may permit installation of cables which do not comply with the foregoing for particular purposes, such as radio frequency cables, where compliance would be impracticable.

(14) Cables shall be installed and supported in such a manner as to avoid chafing and other damage. All metal sheaths and metal armour of cables shall be electrically continuous and shall be earthed except that the Certifying Authority may permit such earthing to be omitted for particular purposes.

(15) Cables serving emergency services shall not so far as is practicable be routed through galleys, laundries, machinery spaces of Category A and their casings or other high fire risk areas except insofar as it is necessary to provide emergency services in such areas. Cables connecting fire pumps to the emergency switchboard shall be of fire resistant type where they pass through high fire risk areas.

Additional requirements for ships constructed on or after 1st September 1984

(16) In every ship distribution systems shall be so arranged that a fire in any main fire zone will not interfere with essential services in any other main fire zone. Main and emergency feeders passing through any main fire zone shall be separated as widely as is practicable both horizontally and vertically.

(17) Cables serving emergency services shall where practicable be installed in such a manner as to preclude them being rendered unserviceable by the effect of a fire in an adjacent space and subsequent heating of the dividing bulkhead.

(18) The electrical, mechanical, flame retarding and where applicable fire resisting properties of the terminations and joints in any conductor shall be at least equivalent to those of the conductor.