21.1 General
(1) An adequate standard of accommodation shall be provided to ensure the comfort,
recreation, health and safety of all persons onboard, due consideration shall also
be given to the number of hotel and other support staff required.
(2) Attention is drawn to the achievement of appropriate standards for means of
access and escape, lighting, heating, food preparation and storage, messing, safety
of movement about the vessel, ventilation and water services.
(3) Generally, accommodation standards for the crew shall be at least equivalent to
the standards set by the ILO Conventions for crew accommodation in merchant ships.
The ILO Convention provisions shall be practicable with regard to vessels greater
than 500GT. For smaller vessels, particularly sailing vessels, the standards shall
be applied where possible. When it is neither reasonable nor practicable to site
crew sleeping accommodation amidships or aft, and above the deepest waterline as
required, measures taken to ensure an equivalent level of crew health and safety
shall be agreed with the Administration. Sleeping accommodation with the deckhead
lining below the deepest waterline is not permitted. It is recommended that where
such accommodation is sited partially below the deepest waterline it shall be
arranged such that in the event of damage to the watertight compartment in which the
accommodation space is situated, the lining shall not be immersed.
(4) Crew accommodation shall not be sited within hazardous spaces. The following
standards are described by general principles which need to be expanded to meet the
requirements which relate to the use and areas of operation of particular vessels.
21.2 Lighting
(1) An electric lighting system shall be installed which is capable of supplying
adequate light to all enclosed accommodation and working spaces. The system shall be
designed and installed in accordance with Chapter 8.
21.3 Heating
(1) As considered appropriate, an adequate heating installation shall be
provided.
21.4 Food Preparation, Storage and Messing
(1) The galley floor shall be provided with a non-slip surface and provide a good
foothold.
(2) All furniture and fittings in the galley shall be made of a material which is
impervious to dirt and moisture. All metal parts of furniture and fittings shall be
rust resistant.
(3) The ventilation in the galley shall be arranged to ensure that there is an
adequate supply of fresh air and for the efficient discharge of fumes into the open
air (see also 21.6).
(4) When a cooking appliance is gimballed it shall be protected by a crash bar or
other means to prevent personal injury. Means shall be provided to lock the
gimballing mechanism.
(5) Means shall be provided to allow the cook to be secured in position, with both
hands free for working, when the vessel motions threaten safe working.
(6) Secure and hygienic storage for food and garbage shall be provided.
(7) A messing area(s) shall be provided, each messing area shall be large enough to
accommodate the greatest number of persons likely to use it at any one time.
21.5 Hand Holds and Grab Rails
(1) There shall be sufficient hand holds and grab rails within the accommodation to
allow safe movement around the accommodation at all times. Stairways shall be
specially considered
21.6 Ventilation
(1) Effective means of ventilation shall be provided to all enclosed spaces which are
entered by personnel.
(2) Mechanical ventilation shall be provided to all accommodation spaces on vessels
which are intended to make long international voyages or operate in tropical waters.
As a minimum, mechanical ventilation shall be capable of providing 6 changes of air
per hour, when all access and other openings (other than ventilation intakes) to the
spaces are closed.
(3) Air conditioning systems shall provide a minimum of 25
m3of air per hour, per person accommodated in the ventilated space during
normal operating conditions.
(4) Enclosed galleys shall be specially considered, and where air conditioning is not
fitted shall have, as a minimum, a mechanical supply of 20 fresh air changes per
hour and a mechanical exhaust of 30 changes.
21.7 Water Services
(1) An adequate supply of fresh drinking water shall be provided and piped to
convenient positions throughout the accommodation spaces.
(2) In addition, an emergency reserve supply of drinking water shall be carried,
sufficient to provide at least 2 litres per person. The installation of fresh water
making machines and disinfection arrangements shall be to the acceptance of the
Administration (for this purpose silver ionisation or chlorination would be
considered acceptable).
21.8 Sleeping Accommodation
(1) An appropriately sized bed (bunk or cot,) shall be provided for every person
onboard, having a minimum inside dimension of either:
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(a) not less than 190 centimetres by 70 centimetres, with no tapering, where
the Administration is satisfied that that this is reasonable and shall not
result in discomfort to the seafarers; or
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(b) not less than 198 centimetres in length and not less than 80 centimetres
in width over half the length of the berth. A taper is permitted from half
the length of the berth towards the foot of the berth but under no
circumstances is the berth permitted to be narrower at any point than 50
centimetres;
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(c) where considered appropriate, means for preventing the occupants from
falling out, shall be provided. There shall be no direct access into
sleeping rooms from spaces for machinery, galleys, paint rooms or from
engine, deck, and other bulk storerooms, drying rooms, communal wash places
or water closets.
(2) In crew accommodation, wherever possible, the maximum number of persons per
sleeping room shall be two and there shall be unobstructed access to at least one
side of each bed. Any increase in the maximum number of persons per sleeping room
shall be agreed with the Administration
21.9 Toilet Facilities
(1) Adequate sanitary toilet facilities shall be provided onboard. The facilities
shall be at least one water closet, one shower for every 8 persons or part thereof,
and one washbasin for every 6 persons or part thereof.
(2) In vessels where a sanitary system, including a holding tank, is provided, care
shall be taken to ensure that there is no possibility of fumes from the tank finding
their way back to a toilet, shall the water seal at the toilet be broken.
21.10 Stowage Facilities for Personal Effects
(1) Adequate stowage facilities for clothing and personal effects shall be provided
for every person onboard.
21.11 Securing of Heavy Equipment
(1) All heavy items of equipment such as ballast, batteries, cooking stove, etc,
shall be securely fastened in place. All stowage lockers containing heavy items
shall have lids or doors which are capable of being securely fastened.