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Distribution of water to galleys
Although a supply of cold drinking water has to be laid on in galleys, pantries and mess
rooms, it need not be over the sinks. In food preparation, not only is the use of fresh water of
non-potable standard permitted, but also sea water is countenanced, even though a final rinse in
fresh water is advised,
There does not have to be a supply of drinking water in a wash place, even though this is the
most likely place for teeth to be cleaned. There is, however, a recommendation that taps are to
labelled.
Control and Responsibility
The responsibility of the Medical Officer of Health in relation to the supply of drinking water
to ships has been mentioned and some of the problems illustrated. It is not proposed to go into
further detail.
In the ships, under the overall responsibility of the Master, the Mate is responsible for storage,
the Chief Engineer for distribution and the Surgeon for purity of the water supply.
When a Port Health Inspector meets with conditions prejudicial to health or a "nuisance"
and this involves some defective part of the installation, re-instatement or correction can be obtained
through his own Authority. However if change in structural design or equipment is necessary
this must be arranged through the Ministry of Transport Surveyor. In the day-to-day practice
of the Port of London there is close co-operation between the two officials.
When all the regulations and recommendations are complied with there still remains the factor
of human error of judgment. This is most important and emphasises the need for teaching in the
broadest sense. In this, the Port Health Inspector has the advantage that he is often dealing with
intelligent men who respond well to enlightenment, a word preferred here to formal instruction or
education. This is well illustrated by practical references. Where the fresh water supply to a
wash place is of non-potable standard, advice to affix a warning notice has always been accepted
and implemented. Unfortunately not all the users of the wash place will heed the warning. Advice
to prevent polluted harbour water being used in a galley has met with more material success.
After the danger has been explained, the sea water supply has been dismantled or permanently
cut off in many instances. This applied to both British and Foreign ships.
Sampling
The systematic sampling practice in the Port of London is to sterilise the hydrant coupling
and bathe it in the cascade of the supply before taking the sample at this stage. Subsequently
the supply hose is led to a filling point aboard ship and connected to the hydrant. A quantity of
water is allowed to flush the hose and run to waste before a second sample is taken from the
hose terminal aboard ship. This provides a test of the potability of the water as actually delivered
to the ship and affords a means of checking the cleanliness of the hose and fittings.
Thereafter further samples are taken from suitable points in the drinking water supply system to
check and eliminate any possibility of contamination within the ship.
If sampling is done because of reasonable suspicion or fact of contamination it is hardly
necessary to state that the supply is discontinued until the results are known.

Summary and Conclusions
The maintenance of all fresh water supplies aboard ship at potable standard should now be
compulsory.
With the above over-riding consideration all recommendations in the Ministry of Transport
Handbook for the guidance of Shipowners — "Crew accommodation in Merchant Ships" — concerning
water supply should become law.
There should be no supply of sea water to any galley or other part of a ship in which food
is prepared, cooked or served.
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