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by 1/3rd of the common interval, and the result will be the gross area of deck.
From this gross area have to be deducted the gross area of all incumbrances,
such as windlass and hatches; the nett result shows the floor space, which,
divided by 12 gives the number of seamen at 12 superficial feet per head.
For the cubic capacity, multiply nett deck area by the height from deck to
deck, and this product divided by 72 gives the number of seamen at 72 cubic
feet per head.
If these two results should differ, the smaller one is to be taken as the
number which the space is to be certified for.
In forecastles bed bunks or sleeping berths are not to be deducted as
incumbrances, but in cabins there should be not less than 12 square feet
per man, exclusive of the bunks, as the spirit of the Act is that each man
should have 12 clear superficial feet of deck place.
It is very difficult to understand why "the spirit;of the Act" should require
this clear deck space in a cabin, and not in a forecastle. Clearly, as the
regulations in both instances are made under the same section of the Act, the
procedure should be similar in both cases, and only clear deck space taken
into consideration. The penalty for overcrowding, want of drainage, light
and ventilation, is 20l., but this is never enforced.
Deductions for crew spaces are not to be allowed unless an iron deck over
the space is lined with wood over the bunks, or unless it has a wooden deck
laid on top of it.
It is no part of the Surveyor's duty to decide how many men ought to be
carried on board any ship, this being an arrangement between the owner and
his employes.
It is the owner's duty to man his ship properly, and the crew can refuse to
join any vessel where this is not done.
The Surveyor simply settles the number to be carried in a certain space.
Uuder the head of construction it is laid down that upper and lower forecastles
which form part of the original vessel will be found sufficiently strong,
but careful examination must be made of deckhouses, especially in small
sailing vessels. The sides, ends, top and floor are to be well caulked, and
attention is to be given to leakage from bowsprit, cattails, fish davitts, &c.
Plugs are to be fitted to hawse pipes, and cables passing down through
forecastles are to be cased so as to prevent effluvium rising from the chain
lockers.
On the subject of light the Surveyor is reminded that the ability to
read ordinary print in any part of the space is a good guide to its sufficiency.