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84
BOARD OF TRADE INSTRUCTIONS AS TO THE SURVEY OF MASTER'S
AND CREW SPACES, 1923.
The 1923 Board of Trade Instructions as to the Survey of Crew Spaces differ
in a few particulars—some of them important—from those of 1913.
1.—The height of spaces in new ships is raised from 5 ft. 6 ins. to 6 ft. clear of
beams.
2.—The minimum height of bunks from the floor from 12 to 15 inches.
3.—The specified minimum of 2 ft. for a bunk has yielded to the expression
" satisfactory width."
4.—Crew spaces abutting on galley, donkey boiler space or any part of the
engine or boiler casing are to be fitted with a lining of "approved" insulating
material. If possible, such spaces are to be avoided.
5.—Decks forming the floor of crew spaces may now be of "approved"
composition in place of wood 2½ ins. thick as formerly laid down.
6.—The crown of oil fuel or oil carrying spaces are to be oil tight, floored
non-inflammably, and without access to the tanks or oil spaces from the quarters
which those spaces underlie.
7.—A wood substitute of 2 ins. thickness may now be used for sheathing of
an iron deck over a crew space, in place of 2k ins. wood planking formerly demanded.
8.—Wash places, drying rooms and bathrooms are to be suitably ventilated.
9.—In new ships, single seat properlv partitioned pans of enamelled iron or
heavy glazed stone-ware, of hopper type, with a seal and separate and ample
flush, are advised. Soil pipes to be 4 ins. in the clear with screwcap for cleansing.
In the existing ships such improvements in the water closets as are practicable
and reasonable are to be brought to the notice of owners and masters.
A special type of closet accommodation to meet the habits of native crews is
approved.
In a "private suite" arrangement of a master's accommodation, a W.C., or
combined bathroom and W.C., may open direct into the space appropriated.
This was formerly an arrangement not open to deduction for tonnage, and is still
deprecated and discouraged.
In the 1913 Instructions, where messrooms are provided apart from the sleeping
quarters, the heating arrangements might be fitted in the messrooms. This
clause has been cut out leaving the instruction on heating, so that " Proper provision
is to be made for heating the crew spaces of vessels in cold weather." In
new foreign going ships suitable rooms fitted with baths and /or showers and washing
places for the men should be provided.
In ventilation, cowls or their equivalents must have a minimum 5 ins. diameter
or six square inches for each person berthed in the space to be ventilated, i.e.,
3 ins. inlet and 3 ins. outlet.
Hospitals are to have 10 square inches ventilation for each person, and to be
separately ventilated. A wash basin and separate W.C., if possible, are to be provided.
Beds in the proportion of one to 50 of the crew.
An entirely new provision is that where deckhands number over twelve and
firemen over 18, separate sleeping places for each watch are recommended. For
stewards no space should accommodate more than 16 men. All bare iron to be
covered with cork cement. In lighting, electric light is to be accepted under approved
conditions. Skylights are alluded to as particularly suitable for messrooms.
In the directions as to protection from weather and sea it is newly stated
that compliance with the regulations and instructions are more readily effected
and better maintained when men are berthed in houses or poops above decks
rather than in forecastles. Surveyors are to point this fact out to builders and
owners.
I have only indicated changes in the instructions. These, on the whole, are
distinctly in the direction of comfort and hygiene of crews spaces though containing
no very drastic points for comment. The recommendation of separate sleeping
spaces for 12 to 18 men is a distinct advance, and the suggestion of poop or abovedeck
accommodation where possible is one which, allowing of skylights, would
solve many of the difficulties of the average forecastle, especially as to light and
ventilation. May 29th, 1923.