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Of the accommodation for the crew much has already been published concerning the arrangement,
structural features and sanitary requirements. Suffice it therefore to state that most new ships
provide one or two berth cabins with occasionally four to six berth cabins on the larger vessels for
the junior staffs or asiatics. Petty Officers such as bosun's, carpenters, quartermasters, cooks, etc.,
may even find themselves in possession of a suite comprising a separate living and sleeping cabin with
bathroom and w.c. attached.
Attention can now be extended to the value of such provisions as those which were hitherto
considered somewhat superfluous, e.g., supply of bedding and clean linen, complete messing facilities,
tapped supplies of hot and cold water, radiator or warm air heating, air conditioning systems,
adequate and continuous lighting, recreation rooms, adequate medical aids and supplies of insecticide,
etc. These "benefits" are no longer exceptional, but are becoming recognised as accepted standards.
The better housing conditions and advance in health education ashore have undoubtedly contributed
substantially towards this change afloat, while training centres and hostels have also made
their contribution. Too much must not be expected all at once. The evolution will continue with
the progress of time and the conduct of the crews will, to a large extent, determine the degree of
success or failure of this welfare venture. At present the overall picture is encouraging and this may
be an opportune time to review the situation and consider the reactions of the crews to these changes.
It cannot yet be expected that every complete crew fully appreciates these new advantages
but there is no reason for pessimism. In the minds of the great majority there is a firm conviction
that consideration for the health and welfare of the seafarer is a reality and the men are becoming
increasingly conscious of their responsibility to maintain the improved standards. Of those who have
not reacted so favourably, some may never rise to the level of normal human appreciation and others
need a form of education or supervision which is not always implemented by those in authority.
There is a tendency for the better type of seaman to select his ship and, apart from the trade route,
he chooses the ship which provides the best living conditions. It is, therefore, not surprising to find
some ships with less favourable conditions, persistently manned by the corresponding type of crew,
with often obviously unfortunate results.
On the design side there is, and possibly always will be, scope for simple improvements to promote
hygiene. The elimination of harbourages and the interception of runs for pests such as rats and insects,
the extractor ventilation of toilets, anti-syphon fittings on certain w.c.'s., a urinal stall in toilet
compartments, domestic refrigeration, cooled drinking water, etc.
Mention of a refrigerator attracts attention to the culinary department. Good order and cleanliness
in the food storage and preparation centres is vital and no less in the pantries and messrooms.
Often there are outstanding deficiencies—storerooms sited in places which necessitate that fresh
stores be dragged around the decks and man-handled by hazardous operations, insufficient hanging
gear or stowage for fresh meat, inadequate separation of perishable foods in cold or cooling chambers.
Dry storerooms are frequently furnished with too many wooden fixtures which harbour insects,
whereas metal could be used to advantage and the same places would benefit from an independent
source of ventilation and temperature control. Pantries, galleys and messrooms are centres of attraction
for insects, paticularly cockroaches, and yet the amount of wooden fixtures fitted in such a
manner as to provide spaces for their breeding and security, continues. These comparatively inaccessible
spaces are seldom properly cleaned.
A last word about food preparation centres may be directed towards ships catering for a large
number of personnel. The equipment and food handlers will be proportionately increased as also
may be the demand for water. There are three questions which come readily to mind, e.g., is the
water used exclusively from the potable water supply; is sanitary accommodation adequate and
reasonably available for the staff; are there sufficient hand-washing facilities in or near to the centre
of work ?
The foregoing points are inseparable from the subject of hygiene, and it is probably not in appropriate
to suggest that a wider application of the principles of sanitary science into the construction
of ships would enable all concerned to achieve even better results.
SANITATION ON COASTWISE SHIPPING.
In the true meaning of the word, "coastwise" does not include the ships which trade into near
continental ports, but since many ships combine a "coastwise trade" with continental or "home
trade" all ships making short sea voyages to and from the Port can be reasonably classified as coastwise
shipping. These ships vary in size and design with gross tonnages ranging from 200-2,000 tons
and driven by steam or internal combustion engines. The sailing barges are now so rare that they
may be discounted.
In pre-war years, the standard of sanitation in many coasters left much to be desired and hygiene
suffered accordingly. The causes were complex. Part of the responsibility rested with the seamen
and part with the ship or her managers. Any change for the better demanded action from all
concerned and it was increasingly apparent that the first move was being made by some owners of
newly constructed ships. The improvements were not spectacular but indicated a trend towards
better living accommodation. As motorships became more popular the allocation of extra space to
the crew and extra amenities followed.
There still remained, however, a number of the older ships with sub-standard conditions when
compared with new conceptions of accommodation design, although some efforts were made at
intervals to adjust these lower standards. Meanwhile, the crews responded to these improvements
with varying expressions of appreciation.
The post-war years have accounted for remarkable improvements. The young seamen know
the old conditions by stories or literature only and they accept conditions now provided as normal,
whereas in some new coasters the changed living standards actually reflect much credit to those who
have initiated and achieved such a transformation.
It is not to be expected that all ships have attained the same standard of sanitation and comfort
nor must it be assumed that all the seamen adjust themselves accordingly, but the progress is very
encouraging.
Reviewing the various features contributing to this improved sanitation, probably the outstanding
change has been the location and distribution of the spaces assigned to the crew. Freed
from the hazards and dreary conditions of the storm-swept foc's'le, the crew now live amidships
or aft in single and 2-berth cabins, with separate messroom and recreation room near the galley and
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