The Merchant Shipping (Crew Accommodation) (Fishing Vessels) Regulations 1975

Divisions between the crew accommodation and other parts of the vessel

7.—(1) Bulkheads which enclose any part of the crew accommodation and are exposed to the weather shall be properly constructed of steel or other suitable material and shall be of watertight construction; any openings in them shall be provided with weathertight means of closure.

(2) Bulkheads which enclose any part of the crew accommodation and are exposed to the weather, and any parts of the sides of the vessel which form walls of the crew accommodation, shall be so insulated as to prevent overheating or condensation unless the crew accommodation is so protected by its situation and ventilation that overheating and condensation are unlikely to occur.

(3) Every bulkhead, casing or deck separating any part of the crew accommodation from any space (including a cold store room) which is subject to abnormal heat or cold shall be so insulated as to prevent condensation or discomfort to the crew.

(4) Every bulkhead which separates any part of the crew accommodation from a space used as:

(i)a machinery space;

(ii)a bunker;

(iii)a lamp room or paint room;

(iv)an engine room, deck or other bulk store room other than a dry provision store room;

(v)a stowage space for fish or any by-product of fish;

(vi)a chain locker; or

(vii)a cofferdam;

shall be of gastight construction, and shall be of watertight construction where necessary to protect the crew accommodation.

(5) There shall be no opening in:

(a)any of the bulkheads referred to in paragraph (4) of this regulation or

(b)any bulkheads separating any part of the crew accommodation from any store room which is not part of the crew accommodation (whether or not that store room is included in the category specified in paragraph (4)(iv) of this regulation)

except that:

(i)there may be an opening in a bulkhead separating a propelling machinery space from sanitary accommodation or changing rooms provided for the exclusive use of engine room officers and ratings;

(ii)where no other arrangement is practicable, there may be an opening in a bulkhead separating a passageway in the crew accommodation from a machinery space if that opening is provided with a hinged, steel, self-closing gastight door;

(iii)in a vessel of under 45·7 metres in length there may, where no other arrangement is practicable, be an opening in a bulkhead separating a passageway in the crew accommodation from an engine or deck store room if that opening is provided with a hinged, steel, self-closing gastight door; and

(iv)where no other arrangement is practicable, there may be an opening in a bulkhead separating a passageway, in the crew accommodation from any of the spaces specified in paragraph (4)(iii)-(vii) inclusive of this regulation if that opening is sealed in a way which is effective having regard to the use of the space.

(6) No batteries of a type which emit gases shall be stored in the crew accommodation and where practicable there shall be no opening from the crew accommodation into a space where such batteries are stored. Precautions shall be taken to ensure that fumes from batteries cannot be discharged into the crew accommodation.

(7) Any part of the crew accommodation which adjoins a tank in which oil may be carried shall be separated from that tank either:

(a)by a gastight steel division additional to the division which retains the oil; or

(b)by a division of all-welded steel construction capable of withstanding a head of water at least 1·52 metres greater than the maximum service head.

(8) No manhole or other opening to a fuel tank shall be situated in the crew accommodation.