Merchant Shipping (Seafarers’ Accommodation) Regulations 2013
FA E R
N

AT F
TQUO U

BERMUDA

MERCHANT SHIPPING (SEAFARERS’ ACCOMMODATION)
REGULATIONS 2013

BR 123 / 2013

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Citation
Interpretation
Application
General requirements for seafarers’ accommodation
Materials and surface finishes
Separation of seafarer accommodation from hazards
Openings in bulkheads surrounding accommodation
Access and escape arrangements
Pipes in accommodation spaces
Lighting
Ventilation
Heating
Portlights and windows
Drainage
Interior finishes
Acceptance of existing Bermuda ships
Sleeping rooms in existing ships
Sleeping rooms in new ships
Sizes of sleeping rooms in existing ships
Sizes of sleeping rooms in new ships
Measurement of sleeping rooms
Furniture in sleeping rooms
Beds
Mess-rooms
Provision of sanitary accommodation
Sanitary equipment
Recreation spaces

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MERCHANT SHIPPING (SEAFARERS’ ACCOMMODATION) REGULATIONS
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Offices
Laundry facilities and arrangements for working clothes
Hospital facilities
Medical cabinet
Potable water and fresh water
Galleys
Food storage
Protection from mosquitoes
Maintenance of seafarers’ accommodation
Inspection
Penalties
Inspection
Superseding the United Kingdom Merchant Shipping (Crew Accommodation)
Regulations 1997
Commencement

SCHEDULE
Lighting Standards

The Minister responsible for maritime administration, in exercise of the power
conferred by sections 3 and 56 of the Merchant Shipping Act 2002, makes the following
Regulations:

Citation
These Regulations may be cited as the Merchant Shipping (Seafarers

Accommodation) Regulations 2013.

Interpretation
In these Regulations—

“adequately lit” means, in reference to natural light, natural light that is bright
enough in daytime in clear weather to enable a person with normal sight to
read an ordinary newspaper in those parts of the space which are available for
free movement;

“chief mate” means the officer next in rank to the master and, in the case of ships
where the term “staff captain” is used, includes a staff officer;

“commercial activity” means any activity or employment of the vessel for which a
contract or charter party is in force, and includes the carriage of any cargo or
persons for reward;

“existing ship” means a ship that is not a new ship;

“GT” means gross tonnage as stated on the ship’s international tonnage certificate
issued under the International Convention on Tonnage 1969;

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36
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2

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MERCHANT SHIPPING (SEAFARERS’ ACCOMMODATION) REGULATIONS
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“Gulfs Area” means the sea areas and ports situated north west of a rhumb line
joining Ras al Had in position 22 degrees 30’ north, 59 degrees 48’ east and
Ras al Fasteh situated in 25 degrees 04’ north, 61 degrees 25’ east;

“junior officer” means a watchkeeping officer whose position onboard a vessel is
one that can be filled by an officer, certified at the operational level, in
accordance with the STCW Convention;

“Loadline Convention” means the International Convention on Load Lines 1966 as
amended;

“LY2” means the Code of Practice for the Safety of Large Commercial Sailing and
Motor Vessels published in 1997 by the UK Maritime and Coast Guard Agency
and includes any subsequent amendments;

“Maritime Labour Convention” means the Maritime Labour Convention 2006
adopted at a general conference of the International Labour Organization in
Geneva on 7 February 2006;

“Minister” means the Minister with responsibility for maritime administration;

“new ship” means a ship the keel of which is laid, or which is at a similar stage of
construction, on or after the date the Maritime Labour Convention is extended
to Bermuda;

“pleasure vessel” means—

a vessel which, at the time of its use, is—

in the case of—

a vessel wholly owned by an individual or individuals, used only
for the sport or pleasure of the owner or immediate family or
friends of the owner; or

a vessel owned by a body corporate, used only for sport or pleasure
and on which the passengers are employees or officers of the body
corporate, or their immediate family or friends; and

on a voyage or excursion from which the owner does not receive money
for, or in connection with, operating the vessel, or carrying any person,
other than as a contribution to the direct expenses of the operation of
the vessel incurred during that voyage or excursion, and no other
payments are made by or on behalf of users of the vessel other than by
the owner; or

a vessel which, at the time of its use, is any vessel wholly owned by or on
behalf of a member’s club formed for the purpose of sport or pleasure,
which is used only for the sport or pleasure of members of that club or their
immediate family; and

for the use of which, any charges levied are paid into club funds and
applied for the general use of the club; and

(1)

(a)

(i)

(ii)

(b)

(2)

(a)

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MERCHANT SHIPPING (SEAFARERS’ ACCOMMODATION) REGULATIONS
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no other payments are made by or on behalf of users of the vessel other
than by the owner;

for the purposes of this definition—

“immediate family” means in relation to an individual, the husband or
wife of the individual and a relative of the individual or the individual’s
husband or wife; and

“relative” means brother, sister, ancestor or lineal descendant;

“private bathroom” means a bathroom provided for the exclusive use of one
seafarer;

“seafarer” means any person, including a master, who is employed or engaged or
works in any capacity on board a ship, on the business of the ship, and where
there is doubt as to whether a person working or engaged on a ship is a seafarer
and subject to these regulations the Minister shall make a determination and
in doing so he shall be guided by the advice and guidance provided by the
International Labour Organization;

“second engineer” means the engineer officer next in rank to the chief engineer
officer and on whom responsibility for the mechanical propulsion and
maintenance of the mechanical electrical installations of the ship will fall, in
the event of the incapacity of the chief engineer officer and, in the case of ships
where the term “staff engineer” is used, includes a staff engineer;

“semi-private bathroom” means a bathroom provided for the exclusive use of not
more than two seafarers;

“senior officer” means an officer whose position on board is, or is equivalent to, one
that requires the officer to be certificated at the management level as defined
in the STCW Convention;

“shipowner” means the owner of the ship or another organisation or person, such
as a manager, agent or bareboat charterer, who has assumed the responsibility
for the operation of the ship from the owner;

“special purpose ship” means a vessel which complies with the requirements for
special purpose ships set out in the Code of Safety for Special Purpose Ships
adopted by the International Maritime Organisation as Resolution A.534(13);

“STCW Convention” means the International Convention on the Standards of
Training Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers 1978 as amended in
1995 and includes any subsequent amendments;

Application
These regulations apply to—

Bermuda ships wherever they may be other than—

fishing vessels;

(b)

(3)

(i)

(ii)

3 (1)

(a)

(i)

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MERCHANT SHIPPING (SEAFARERS’ ACCOMMODATION) REGULATIONS
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vessels that are certified as complying with LY2;

vessels owned and operated by a Government Department or Agency
for non-commercial purposes; and

pleasure vessels;

to the extent specified in regulation 36, other ships that are not Bermuda
ships when in a port in Bermuda other than—

fishing vessels;

pleasure vessels; and

warships, naval auxiliaries and other ships owned or operated by a
state and not engaged on commercial activity.

Unless expressly provided otherwise, any requirement under an amendment to
the Code of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006, relating to the provisions of seafarer
accommodation and recreational facilities, shall apply only to ships constructed on or after
the amendment takes effect for the Member concerned.

General requirements for seafarers’ accommodation
All parts of the seafarer’s accommodation, except store rooms, and except as

provided in paragraph (2), shall be situated—

amidships or aft unless the design of the ship makes it impracticable, but
in no case may any sleeping accommodation for seafarers located below
the freeboard deck be situated forward of the collision bulkhead;

wholly above the Summer Load Line marked in accordance with the
Loadline Convention; and

as far as practicable from engines, steering gear rooms, winches and deck
machinery, ventilation and air conditioning equipment, and similar
equipment capable of generating noise.

In the case of passenger ships and special purpose ships, seafarers’ sleeping
rooms may be situated below the Summer Load Line, but if so situated, they shall not be
located beneath any working alleyway.

The seafarers’ accommodation shall be situated, constructed and arranged so
as to exclude as far as is reasonably practicable—

noise coming from other areas of the ship;

in the case of sleeping rooms, noise coming from other parts of the
seafarers’` accommodation, and from other parts of the ship.

Every boundary separating a sleeping room from—

a machinery space;

a mess-room;

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

(b)

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

(2)

4 (1)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(2)

(3)

(a)

(b)

(4)

(a)

(b)

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a recreation room, or a room in which films and other entertainments are
used, or in which games are played; or

a public room;

shall be acoustically insulated in such a manner that the occupants of the room will be
prevented from being disturbed by excessive noise from that other space.

There shall be no direct openings between sleeping rooms and—

cargo and machinery spaces;

galleys;

storerooms and drying rooms; or

communal sanitary facilities.

The bulkheads separating all areas of the seafarer’s accommodation and
any—

machinery space;

cargo space;

space for the storage of fire extinguishing gases;

chain locker or cofferdam;

paint locker; or

space containing batteries;

shall be of gas-tight construction and, where necessary, watertight to protect the seafarers’
accommodation and acoustically insulated where necessary to protect seafarers from
excessive noise and vibrations.

The bulkheads surrounding the seafarers’ accommodation and the decks
forming the crown of that accommodation, and which are exposed to weather, shall be—

constructed of steel or other equivalent material, and of watertight
construction, and any doors shall be weathertight;

insulated to the extent necessary to ensure that the seafarers’
accommodation is protected from condensation as well as extremes of heat
or cold.

Within the seafarers’ accommodation, all structures, furniture, fittings, and the
means of entry and exit from the seafarers’ accommodation shall be situated, constructed
and arranged so that the risk of injury to seafarers’ members is minimised, and in
particular—

handrails, of robust construction and securely attached to bulkheads,
shall be provided in passageways and stairwells;

fixed furniture shall be safely secured;

(c)

(d)

(5)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(6)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

(7)

(a)

(b)

(8)

(a)

(b)

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portable furniture shall be secured against movements of the ship;

doors, including doors to cupboards, furniture, and drawers shall be
provided with means to hold them in position when closed; and

shelves, racks, and similar fittings shall be provided with retaining bars or
other arrangements to prevent their contents from falling while the ship is
at sea.

In every new ship, all parts of the seafarers’ accommodation, except cold store
rooms, shall have a clear headroom of at least 203 centimetres, and in every existing ship
the clear headroom shall be at least 198 centimetres, provided that the Minister may permit
a reduction in this height where he is satisfied that—

it is reasonable to do so; and

it will not result in discomfort to the seafarers.

Save for a hospital in passenger ships, no part of the seafarers’ accommodation
shall—

be shared with passengers; or

used for the benefit of passengers.

Inside panelling in crew accommodation shall be constructed of durable
material.

Noise levels in working and living spaces for new ships shall be in conformity
with those in the ILO publication “Ambient factors in the workplace 2001”, and with the
standards set out in IMO Resolution A.468(XII) (Code on Noise Levels Onboard Ships) as it
may be amended from time to time.

No—

accommodation;

catering facilities; or

recreational facilities,

shall be exposed to excessive vibration.

Materials and surface finishes
The surfaces used for bulkheads and deckheads shall be of a material which

is easily kept clean, and which is constructed in a manner where vermin are unlikely to be
harboured, and the deckheads and bulkheads in sleeping rooms shall be light in colour,
easily kept clean, and of a durable and nontoxic finish.

Decks in seafarers’ accommodation—

shall be covered by a material which is impervious to damp, and which
provides a non-slip and easily maintained surface without crevices where
the material meets bulkheads, except in cases where the covering material
is carpet;

(c)

(d)

(e)

(9)

(a)

(b)

(10)

(a)

(b)

(11)

(12)

(13)

(a)

(b)

(c)

5 (1)

(2)

(a)

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in cases where the covering material is carpet, it shall be properly laid and
of a type that will not readily ignite; and

in the case of galleys, sanitary accommodation and laundry spaces, the
decks shall be covered by tiles or similar materials impervious to liquid
which are properly laid without gaps, and which provide a non-slip finish.

Subject to paragraph (4), every bulkhead separating any part of the seafarers’
accommodation from—

sanitary accommodation;

a laundry;

a drying room;

a galley;

a cold store room; or

a dry provision room,

shall be of gas tight construction and, other than the bulkheads relevant to subparagraph
(e), watertight to a height of at least 23 centimetres in the case of bulkheads without doors,
and to a height of at least 10 centimetres in the case of those which are penetrated by doors.

The requirements of paragraph (3) do not apply to a bulkhead separating two
spaces appropriated for the same use, a laundry from a drying room, or a private bathroom
from the sleeping room of the person for whose use it is provided.

Separation of seafarer accommodation from hazards
No batteries of a type that may emit gases, either when in use or when being

charged, shall be stored in seafarers’ accommodation, and there shall be no openings
between seafarers’ accommodation and spaces where such batteries are stored.

No manhole or other access to a tank that may contain fuel shall be situated
in the seafarers’ accommodation.

Any part of the seafarers’ accommodation that adjoins a tank in which oil is
carried shall be separated from that tank by either a gas-tight steel division in addition to
that which contains the oil, or by a welded steel boundary capable of withstanding a head
of water of at least 1.5 metres greater than the maximum service head.

Openings in bulkheads surrounding accommodation
There shall be no openings in any of the bulkheads referred to in regulation 4(6)

except—

where sanitary accommodation or changing rooms are provided for the
exclusive use of seafarers working in machinery spaces, and situated
adjacent to the main machinery space, there may be an opening in the
machinery space bulkhead to the sanitary accommodation or changing
rooms and an opening from the sanitary accommodation or changing

(b)

(c)

(3)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

(4)

6 (1)

(2)

(3)

7

(a)

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rooms to a passageway forming part of the seafarers’ accommodation,
provided that a hinged steel, self-closing, gas-tight door is fitted to one of
the openings;

where there is no other practicable arrangement, in vessels under 500 GT
there may be an opening between a machinery or deck store room and a
passageway forming part of the seafarers’ accommodation if the opening is
closed by a hinged, self closing, steel gas-tight door; and

where there is no other practicable arrangement, the Minister may permit
the provision of an opening between a passageway in seafarers’
accommodation and one of the spaces in regulation 4(6), provided that the
opening is effectively sealed.

Access and escape arrangements
Every entrance into the seafarers’ accommodation from the open deck shall be

so situated and constructed as to be protected against the weather and sea to the greatest
extent practicable, and shall be so situated to be accessible at all times and in all weathers.

There shall be at least one means of access, either direct or via not more than
two rooms forming part of a suite, to any sleeping room, day room, mess room, recreation
room, study, office, sanitary accommodation, or galley from an enclosed passageway.

There shall be two entirely separate escape routes for each compartment, and
each route shall lead from the compartment to a suitably sited opening (which may be a
normally used entrance) on to the weather deck.

Escape routes shall not pass through propelling machinery spaces, galleys or
other spaces where the risk of injury from fire, steam or other similar cause is comparatively
high, and shall be so arranged as to provide a ready and unimpeded means of escape from
each compartment to the ship’s boats, lifeboats or liferafts.

Where escape routes are by way of stairways or ladders, those stairways or
ladders shall be constructed of steel.

In paragraphs (3) and (4), “compartment” means all living and working spaces
within the watertight or fire-resisting boundaries on any one level which are served by inter-
communicating passageways.

Pipes in accommodation spaces
Steam pipes, hot water pipes and calorifiers in the seafarers’ accommodation

shall be efficiently lagged and of adequate scantlings to protect the seafarers’ from risk of
injury or discomfort, and in particular, cold water pipes shall be lagged where necessary to
prevent condensation.

Pipes for seafarer’s accommodation services shall be of adequate dimensions
for their purpose, and in particular, soil pipes and waste pipes shall be so constructed as
to facilitate cleaning and minimise the risk of obstruction to the free movement of a seafarer.

(b)

(c)

8 (1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

9 (1)

(2)

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Soil pipes shall not pass overhead in messrooms, sleeping rooms, dry provision
stores, galleys, or hospitals except where it is impracticable to route them elsewhere, and
in every case they shall not pass through any fresh water tank.

Hawse pipes for anchors shall not pass through seafarers’ accommodation.

Hydraulic supply and return lines, from any hydraulic power pack or hydraulic
pump to any machinery or other equipment, shall not pass through seafarer’s
accommodation.

Lighting
In passenger ships, all parts of the seafarers’ accommodation except galleys,

pantries, laundries, drying rooms, lockers, and bathrooms shall be adequately lit by natural
light wherever reasonably practicable.

In ships other than passenger ships, all parts of the seafarers’ accommodation
except galleys, pantries, drying rooms, lockers and bathrooms shall be adequately lit by
natural light, and sanitary facilities and passageways shall be lit by natural light wherever
reasonably practicable.

In all ships, an electric lighting system shall be installed in the seafarers’
accommodation capable of supplying adequate light to all parts, and includes an electric
reading light for each bed that is capable of emitting at least 200 lumens in a sleeping room
and 400 lumens in a hospital and fitted with an individual controlling switch at the head
of the bed.

The electric lighting in any part of the seafarers’ accommodation shall be
considered to be adequate if the illuminance in the horizontal plane, when measured at the
points specified for the relevant space as listed in the Schedule to these regulations (when
the surface finishes are new), is steady and maintained, within a tolerance of 10%, at the
light value prescribed in the Schedule for that relevant space, and complies with any other
requirements in the Schedule.

Ventilation
Every enclosed space within the seafarers’ accommodation, except a cold store

room, shall be provided with a ventilation system capable of maintaining the air in that
space in a sufficiently pure condition for the health and comfort of the seafarers in all
conditions of weather and climate which the ship is likely to encounter, and shall be capable
of being controlled as necessary for that purpose.

The ventilation system in paragraph (1) shall be—

a trunked mechanical system capable of ensuring rates of air changes
sufficient for the space served;

additional to any ventilation provided by windows, sidecuttles, doors,
skylights or other openings not primarily intended for ventilation; and

arranged to generate minimum noise or vibration.

(3)

(4)

(5)

10 (1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

11 (1)

(2)

(a)

(b)

(c)

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In the case of ships of under 1000 GT that are regularly employed in tropical
areas, or in the Gulfs Area, and also in the case of ships of 1000 GT or more that are not
regularly employed north of latitude 50 degrees North or south of latitude 45 degrees South,
the ventilation system in paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be an air conditioning system designed
to—

maintain the air at a satisfactory temperature and relative humidity as
compared with the outside ambient conditions;

ensure sufficient air changes; and

minimise noise and vibrations.

In the case of a new ship, the air conditioning system, if fitted, shall also cover
any central machinery control room and any central cargo control room.

In ships provided with an air conditioning system—

sanitary accommodation;

laundries;

drying rooms;

changing rooms; and

pantries;

shall also be provided with a mechanical exhaust ventilation system capable of ensuring
rates of air change sufficient for the space for which it is provided.

Any enclosed space in the seafarers’ accommodation that is not served by a
trunked mechanical ventilation system, or by an air conditioning system, shall be provided
with adequate natural ventilation appropriate to the purpose of the space.

The ventilation system, or air conditioning system, shall be available for use at
all times when seafarers are accommodated on board.

Heating
Except in the case of ships trading solely in the tropics or in the Gulfs Area, all

sleeping rooms, mess-rooms, and all other spaces in the seafarer’s accommodation shall be
fitted with a heating system capable of maintaining the temperature in the space at 21
degrees Centigrade at any time when—

the ventilation system provided for the room or the seafarers’
accommodation is working so as to supply 25 cubic metres of air per hour
for each seafarer that the accommodation, or room, is designed to
accommodate at any one time; and

the temperature of the ambient air is -1 degree Centigrade;

The heating system shall be operated by electricity, hot air, or hot water and
be capable of being turned on or off, and varied easily between off and fully on, by the

(3)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(4)

(5)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(6)

(7)

12 (1)

(a)

(b)

(2)

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occupants of any room without tools, and its effectiveness shall not be affected by the use
of the ship’s other machinery.

The heating system shall be available and operating at all times when seafarers
are accommodated on board in circumstances where heating is required.

The individual parts of the heating system shall be designed, installed and
protected in such a manner that the danger of fire or injury to seafarers is minimised.

Portlights and windows
Subject to paragraph (2), any portlights or windows in a sleeping room, day

room, mess-room, recreation room, or hospital ward without which the standard of lighting
required for that room by regulation 10 would not be attained, shall—

if the room is not served by an air conditioning system complying with
regulation 11, be of the opening type;

if the room is served by such an air conditioning system, consist of 50 per
cent of portlights or windows of the opening type.

No portlight or window shall be of the opening type if it is required by other
regulations to be of the non-opening type.

Where the application of paragraph (2) precludes the use of natural ventilation,
then where natural ventilation or trunked mechanical ventilation is required by regulation
11, there shall instead be required a trunked mechanical ventilation system or an air
conditioning system respectively.

In every ship of 3,000 tons or over, every portlight shall be at least 300
millimetres in diameter.

Drainage
The seafarers’ accommodation shall be efficiently drained, and in particular—

drainage pipes and channels shall be provided wherever necessary to clear
water shipped from the sea; and

the soil and other waste water drainage system shall be so arranged and
fitted with such water seals, air vents and storm valves as are necessary
to prevent siphonage or blow-back, in order to preclude effluvia from
entering the seafarers’ accommodation.

Each space in the sanitary accommodation (except private bathrooms) and
each laundry shall be served by one or more scuppers, each to be at least 50 millimetres in
diameter, which do not serve any space other than sanitary accommodation or another
laundry, and shall be placed wherever water is likely to collect on the floor.

There shall be no drainage into sanitary accommodation from any source
outside that accommodation, except other sanitary accommodation.

(3)

(4)

13 (1)

(a)

(b)

(2)

(3)

(4)

14 (1)

(a)

(b)

(2)

(3)

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Interior finishes
The interior walls and ceilings of all parts of the seafarers’ accommodation shall

be painted or covered with a suitable material that shall be white or light in colour.

Upholstered parts of furniture and fittings shall be made of polished hardwood
or of a smooth, rust-proof material that is impervious to dirt and moisture, and which is
not likely to warp, crack or become corroded.

Wooden parts of the furniture and fittings and any panelling or other wooden
surfaces in the seafarers’ accommodation shall be finished externally with paint or varnish,
or by some other suitable means.

All paints used on surfaces in the seafarers’ accommodation shall be such that
the surfaces can easily be kept clean.

The interior of the seafarers’ accommodation and all furniture and fittings in it
shall be made, fitted and arranged so as not to be likely to harbour dirt or vermin.

Acceptance of existing Bermuda ships
Ships that are Bermuda ships and existing ships, at the date of these regulations

coming into operation, shall not be required to modify any part of the crew accommodation
as a consequence of these regulations.

Sleeping rooms in existing ships
Unless the operation of the ship is such that no seafarers are required to sleep

on board, sleeping rooms shall be provided for each seafarer, and wherever practicable,
shall be individual sleeping rooms.

Where the size and construction of the ship makes it impracticable for a
sleeping room to be provided for each seafarer, the maximum number of seafarers that may
be accommodated in a single sleeping room shall not exceed—

one, in the case of officers;

two, in the case of other seafarers in ships other than passenger ships,
provided that they shall both be a part of the same watch;

four, in the case of other seafarers in passenger ships, provided that they
are all part of the same watch or shift; and

provided that petty officers and cadets shall, wherever practicable, be accommodated in
individual sleeping rooms.

Separate sleeping rooms shall be provided for male and female seafarers.

Each seafarer shall be provided with a separate bed.

Sleeping rooms in new ships
In new ships other than passenger ships, in the case of ships of less than 3000

GT and special purpose ships, an individual sleeping room shall be provided for each
seafarer, provided that the Minister may grant an exemption from this requirement after

15 (1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

16

17 (1)

(2)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(3)

(4)

18 (1)

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MERCHANT SHIPPING (SEAFARERS’ ACCOMMODATION) REGULATIONS
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consultation with the shipowners’ and seafarers’ organisations, and where this consultation
is not possible, after consultation with the special tripartite committee created by Article
XIII of the Maritime Labour Convention.

Separate sleeping rooms shall be provided for male and female seafarers.

Each seafarer shall be provided with a separate bed.

So far as is possible, sleeping rooms shall be arranged so that sleeping rooms
for watch-keepers do not accommodate seafarers on different watches, and seafarers who
work during the day are not accommodated in the same sleeping rooms as seafarers on
watches.

In ships of less than 3000 GT, other than passenger ships and special purpose
ships, the number of seafarers accommodated in a single sleeping room shall not exceed
two.

Sizes of sleeping rooms in existing ships
In existing ships other than passenger ships, the floor area for a single berth

sleeping room for seafarers other than officers shall be not less than—

3.75 square metres, in the case of ships of less than 3000 GT;

4.25 square metres, in the case of ships of 3000 GT or more but less than
10,000 GT; and

4.75 square metres, in the case of ships of more than 10,000 GT.

In existing ships other than passenger ships, sleeping rooms provided for two
seafarers other than officers shall have a minimum floor area of—

2.75 square metres for each person, in ships of under 3000 GT;

3.25 square metres for each person, in ships of 3000 GT or more but less
than 10,000 GT; and

3.75 square metres for each person, in the case of ships of more than
10,000 GT.

In existing passenger ships not more than four seafarers may be
accommodated in a single sleeping room and the minimum floor area in sleeping rooms
other than those for officers shall be—

3.75 square metres in single berth sleeping rooms;

2.25 square metres for each seafarer in sleeping rooms for more than one
person, in the case of ships of under 3000 GT; and

3.0 square metres for each seafarer in sleeping rooms for more than one
person, in the case of ships of 3000 GT or more.

In ships of more then 3000 GT, a day-room adjoining the sleeping room shall
be provided for the chief mate and for the chief engineer, wherever practicable.

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

19 (1)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(2)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(3)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(4)

14

MERCHANT SHIPPING (SEAFARERS’ ACCOMMODATION) REGULATIONS
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Sleeping rooms for officers and cadets for whom no separate day-room is
provided shall have a floor area of at least—

6.5 square metres, in the case of ships of under 3000 GT;

7.5 square metres, in the case of ships of more than 3000 GT;

10 square metres for sleeping rooms accommodating two cadets, in the
case of ships of less than 3000 GT; and

12 square metres for sleeping rooms accommodating two cadets, in the
case of ships of more than 3000 GT.

Where a separate day-room is provided, the minimum floor area in sleeping
rooms for officers and cadets shall be not less than—

3.75 square metres, in the case of ships of less than 3000 GT;

4.25 square metres, in the case of ships of 3000 GT or more but less than
10,000 GT; and

4.75 square metres, in the case of ships of more than 10,000 GT.

Where a separate day-room is provided, the minimum floor area in sleeping
rooms accommodating two cadets shall be not less than—

2.75 square metres for each cadet, in the case of ships of under 3000 GT;

3.25 square metres for each cadet, in the case of ships of 3000 GT or more
but less than 10,000 GT; and

3.75 square metres for each cadet, in the case of ships of more than 10,000
GT.

Sizes of sleeping rooms in new ships
In new ships other than passenger ships, the floor area in single berth sleeping

rooms shall be not less than—

4.5 square metres, in the case of ships of less than 3000 GT;

5.5 square metres, in the case of ships of 3000 GT or more but less than
10000 GT; and

7 square metres, in the case of ships of more than 10000 GT.

In new passenger ships more than one seafarer may be accommodated in a
sleeping room when the seafarers concerned are not performing the duties of a
watchkeeping ship’s officer, provided that not more than four seafarers may be
accommodated in a single room and when more than one seafarer is accommodated, the
sleeping rooms shall have a floor area of—

not less than 7.5 square metres, where up to 2 seafarers are
accommodated;

(5)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(6)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(7)

(a)

(b)

(c)

20 (1)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(2)

(a)

15

MERCHANT SHIPPING (SEAFARERS’ ACCOMMODATION) REGULATIONS
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not less than 11.5 square metres, where 3 seafarers are accommodated;
and

not less than 14.5 square metres, where 4 seafarers are accommodated.

In new ships that are special purpose ships sleeping rooms may accommodate
more than 4 seafarers, but if they do, there shall be provided at least 3.6 square metres of
floor area per seafarer.

Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraphs (1), (2) and (3), the Minister
may, where he considers it appropriate, permit a reduced size of floor area in new ships of
less than 3000 GT, passenger ships and special purpose ships where the reduction
facilitates the provision of individual sleeping rooms.

In new ships of less than 3000 GT, other than passenger ships and special
purpose ships, sleeping rooms may be occupied by a maximum of two seafarers, and where
a sleeping room is allocated to two seafarers, the floor area shall be not less than 7 square
metres.

In new ships, other than passenger ships and special purpose ships, sleeping
rooms for seafarers who perform the duties of ship’s officers, and who are not provided with
a private day-room or sitting room, shall have a floor area of not less than—

7.5 square metres, in the case of ships of less than 3000 GT;

8.5 square metres, in the case of ships of 3000 GT or more but less than
10,000 GT; and

10 square metres, in the case of ships of over 10,000 GT.

In new passenger ships and new special purpose ships, sleeping rooms for
seafarers who perform the duties of ship’s officers, and who are not provided with a private
day-room or sitting room, shall have a floor area of not less then—

7.5 square metres, in the case of junior officers; and

8.5 square metres, in the case of senior officers.

In every new ship, the master, the chief engineer, the chief mate, and whenever
practicable, the second engineer shall be provided with, in addition to their sleeping rooms,
an adjoining private sitting room, day-room or equivalent space, except that the Minister
may, after consultation with the shipowners and seafarers organisations concerned or,
where this is not possible, after consultation with the special tripartite committee created
by Article XIII of the ILO Maritime Labour Convention, exempt a ship of less than 3000 GT
from this requirement.

Measurement of sleeping rooms
In determining the size of a sleeping room for the purposes of these regulations,

spaces occupied by beds, lockers, chests of drawers and seats shall be included in the
overall area, but small or irregular shaped spaces which do not add effectively to the space
available for free movement, and which cannot be used for installing furniture, shall be
excluded.

(b)

(c)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(7)

(a)

(b)

(8)

21

16

MERCHANT SHIPPING (SEAFARERS’ ACCOMMODATION) REGULATIONS
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Furniture in sleeping rooms
Every sleeping room shall be planned and equipped in such a manner as to

ensure reasonable comfort for the occupants and to facilitate tidiness, and in particular,
for each person accommodated in a sleeping room, there shall be provided—

a clothes locker or wardrobe capable of being locked, and not less than 1.7
metres in height and 475 litres in capacity, and fitted with a shelf not less
than 230 millimetres and not more than 300 millimetres below its top and
also with a rod or similar for clothes hangers;

at least one drawer with a capacity of not less than 56 litres, and, if the
drawer is combined with the locker in sub-paragraph (a), the total
combined volume shall not be less than 500 litres;

a comfortable seat;

at least one coat hook in addition to any coat hooks that may be fitted in
a locker or wardrobe;

a table or desk, or a sliding leaf or top fitted to a chest of drawers which is
suitable for writing;

a mirror, a cabinet for toiletries, a razor socket and a strip light fitted on
or adjacent to the mirror and cabinet;

a bookshelf;

a curtain or equivalent for each portlight or window;

a curtain for each bed, except in the case of single occupancy sleeping
rooms; and

in ships of 5,000 GT or greater, other than passenger ships, a wash hand
basin with hot and cold running fresh water, and a splashback or similar
protection for the bulkhead, unless a wash hand basin is fitted in a private
or semi- private bathroom provided for that sleeping room.

For sleeping rooms in which petty officers are accommodated, in addition to
the furniture specified in paragraph (1), at least one additional drawer with a capacity of 56
litres shall be provided for each person accommodated.

In sleeping rooms for officers there shall be provided—

a wardrobe which shall be at least 1.68 metres in height, and with an
internal cross-sectional area of at least 0.30 square metres;

at least three drawers with a total capacity of at least 280 litres, not to
include those mentioned in subparagraph (f);

a chair with arm rests;

at least two coat hooks in addition to any coat hook that may be fitted in
the wardrobe;

22 (1)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

(g)

(h)

(i)

(j)

(2)

(3)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

17

MERCHANT SHIPPING (SEAFARERS’ ACCOMMODATION) REGULATIONS
2013

either a settee of at least 1.83 metres in length or, if such a settee cannot
be accommodated readily without inconveniencing the occupant, a fully
upholstered easy chair with closed arms;

a writing desk with drawers, such drawers being exclusive of those
specified in subparagraph (b);

a book case; and

in ships of over 5000 GT, a washbasin, except where one is fitted in any
private or semi-private bathroom associated with the sleeping room.

Any of the equipment and furniture listed in paragraph (3)(c), (d), (e), or (f) may
be provided in a day-room appropriated for the exclusive use of the officer.

Sleeping rooms for cadets shall, so far as practicable, be provided with the
furniture listed in paragraph (3).

Facilities for storing food shall not be provided in any sleeping room.

Beds
Every sleeping room shall have a separate bed for each person accommodated

in that room.

The minimum inside dimensions of every bed shall be sufficient to
accommodate a mattress of not less then 198 centimetres in length and 80 centimetres in
width.

The framework of every bed and any fittings shall be constructed of a material
that is hard, smooth and unlikely to become corroded, and any tubular frames, if fitted,
shall be completely sealed.

Every bed shall—

be arranged in such a manner so as to provide unobstructed access on one
side;

where beds abut each other, be separated by rigid screens of wood or other
suitable opaque material; and

in the case of multi-tiered beds, not be arranged in tiers of more than two.

Beds shall not be fitted fore and aft along the ship’s side unless the size of the
sleeping room is such that it is impracticable to fit them elsewhere, and where beds are
fitted along the ship’s side, they shall be single- tiered, except in rooms where there is no
portlight or in which any portlight is fitted so as to be clear of the beds.

The distance between the bottom of the mattress of every bed and the floor deck
shall be at least 305 millimetres, and in the case of an arrangement of two tier beds, the
upper one shall be fitted approximately half way between the bottom of the lower one and
the lowest part of the deck overhead, and fitted with a solid bottom of wood or other
equivalent material.

Every bed shall be fitted with either—

(e)

(f)

(g)

(h)

(4)

(5)

(6)

23 (1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(5)

(6)

(7)

18

MERCHANT SHIPPING (SEAFARERS’ ACCOMMODATION) REGULATIONS
2013

a spring bottom or a spring under mattress of a material that will resist
damp, and which is unlikely to harbour vermin; or

a suitable mattress fitted on a ventilated base.

Where double-tiered beds are fitted—

the upper bed shall be fitted with lee-boards or similar arrangement to
protect the occupant in bad weather;

there shall be provided for each set a portable ladder or equivalent
arrangement that provides easy access to the top bed, and which can be
safely stowed when not in use; and

in the case where one berth is placed directly over the other, a dust proof
bottom shall be fitted beneath the bottom mattress or spring bottom of the
upper berth.

Mess-rooms
Except when the operation of the ship is such that no seafarers are required to

eat on board, mess-rooms shall be provided for the seafarers, and every mess room shall
be large enough to accommodate the largest number of seafarers likely to use it at any time.

In ships other than passenger ships, every mess room should be arranged to
have at least 1.5 square metres for each seafarer expected to use the mess-room.

Mess-rooms shall be located separately from any sleeping rooms and as close
as possible to the galley, provided that the Minister may grant an exemption from this
requirement in the case of ships of less than 3000 GT after consultation with the
shipowners’ and seafarers’ organisations, or, where this is not possible, after consultation
with the special tripartite committee established by Article XIII of the ILO Maritime Labour
Convention.

Mess-rooms may be shared between all seafarers, but separate mess-rooms
may be provided for—

the master and officers; and

other seafarers.

Every mess-room shall be provided with sufficient tables to allow a table space
of at least 510 millimetres for each seafarer, measured along the edge of the table, for as
many seafarers as are likely to use the room at any time.

Tables in mess-rooms shall be at least 610 millimetres wide if seats are
provided at both sides of the table, or 380 millimetres wide if seats are only provided at one
side.

Tables in mess-rooms shall be provided with chairs or upholstered settees of
at least 380 millimetres in depth.

There shall be fitted in the mess-room, or in a readily available adjacent space
in ships of more than 500 GT—

(a)

(b)

(8)

(a)

(b)

(c)

24 (1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(a)

(b)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

19

MERCHANT SHIPPING (SEAFARERS’ ACCOMMODATION) REGULATIONS
2013

a refrigerator;

a supply of cold drinking water;

a means of heating drinking water for hot beverages;

a sink or other means for washing utensils, unless this is provide
elsewhere; and

sufficient storage in a dresser or equivalent piece of furniture for utensils.

The sizes and quantities of equipment in subparagraph (8) shall be adequate
for the number of seafarers expected to use the mess-room.

Provision of sanitary accommodation
All seafarers shall have convenient access on board to sanitary facilities with

separate facilities being provided for male and female seafarers where necessary.

There shall be adequate sanitary facilities positioned within easy reach of the
navigating bridge, the cargo control room if one is provided, the galley and either the engine
control room, or the engine room in ships without a central control room, provided that the
Minister may exempt ships of less than 3000 GT from this requirement following
consultation with the shipowners’ and seafarers’ organisations, or, where this is not
possible, with the special tripartite committee established by Article XIII of the Maritime
Labour Convention .

For every six persons who do not have personal facilities, a minimum of—

one toilet;

one washbasin; and

one tub or shower,

shall be provided, exclusive of facilities provided for a hospital, at a convenient location.

Every wash place shall be provided with hot and cold running water.

In passenger ships that are engaged on voyages of not more than four hours,
the Minister may agree to a reduction in the total number of sanitary facilities that are
provided whenever the operators of the ship are able to demonstrate that this can be done
without causing discomfort to any of the seafarers.

In ships of 5000 GT or more but less than 15,000 GT, at least five officer
sleeping rooms shall be provided with adjoining private bathrooms for the use of the officers
occupying those sleeping rooms.

Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (6), in ships of 10,000 GT and
over but less than 15,000 GT, every officer’s sleeping room that is not provided with an
adjoining private bathroom shall have a semi-private bathroom appropriated to it that
complies with the requirements of paragraph (11) for semi-private bathrooms.

In ships of over 15,000 GT, every officer’s sleeping room shall have an adjoining
private bathroom for the use of the officer accommodated in that sleeping room.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(9)

25 (1)

(2)

(3)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

20

MERCHANT SHIPPING (SEAFARERS’ ACCOMMODATION) REGULATIONS
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In ships of 25,000 GT and over other than passenger ships, every seafarer’s
sleeping room that is not provided with a private bathroom shall have a semi-private
bathrooms appropriated to it, but these semi-private bathroom shall not be shared between
a petty officer and other seafarers.

Every semi-private bathroom shall be situated either in an inter-
communicating compartment between the two sleeping rooms to which it is associated or,
if it is for seafarers other than officers, it may be situated immediately opposite the entrance
to the sleeping rooms.

Every semi-private bathroom and every private bathroom shall be fitted with—

a bath or a shower;

a toilet; and

unless a wash basin is provided in each sleeping room for which the
bathroom is appropriated, a wash basin.

Sanitary equipment
Every wash basin, bath, and shower tray shall—

be of a suitable size;

shall be constructed to have a smooth and impervious surface not likely to
crack, corrode or flake; and

be fitted with an efficient and hygienic discharge system in order to
minimise the risk of blockage and to facilitate cleaning.

Privacy screens made of an opaque, rigid material shall be provided on three
sides of any bath or shower which is in the same room as any wash basin or other bath or
shower, unless the room is a private or semi-private bathroom, and wherever possible the
space screened shall be sufficiently large to allow a person to undress within it comfortably.

Every bath and shower shall be provided with a handrail and means to prevent
slipping, and, except in semi-private and private bathrooms, shall be provided with a kerb
and individual drainage.

The hot water supplied to every shower shall be at a constant temperature of
at least 66 degrees Centigrade, and shall be heated by thermostatically controlled calorifiers
of adequate capacity or equivalent and equally safe means.

Every shower shall be provided with an anti-scalding mixing valve that can be
set in such a way that the temperature of the shower water can be varied by the user to any
temperature between ambient temperature and between 38 and 40 degrees Centigrade.

Every toilet shall—

be provided with an exhaust ventilation direct to the open air or via another
toilet to the open air;

be of a single pan of white vitreous china or other suitable material;

(9)

(10)

(11)

(a)

(b)

(c)

26 (1)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(a)

(b)

21

MERCHANT SHIPPING (SEAFARERS’ ACCOMMODATION) REGULATIONS
2013

be provided with a hinged seat of hard, smooth, impervious material; and

have an adequate flush of water which is always available and supplied
through self-closing, non-conclusive supply valves, with a portable seat of
metal that is not likely to become corroded;

have a connection to a vacuum discharge pipe system, or to a soil pipe, of
not less than 100 millimetres internal diameter, and so constructed as to
facilitate cleaning and minimise the risk of obstruction;

have, in close proximity, a means to hold a supply of toilet paper; and

have, in close proximity, a hand rail or grip.

Where a toilet would be unsuitable for use by some seafarers as a result of their
distinctive national customs, the toilet provided for them may be adapted to suit distinctive
national custom provided that the overall toilet adaptation is at least equal or comparable
to that otherwise required by these regulations.

Recreation spaces
Recreation rooms, conveniently situated and appropriately furnished, shall be

provided, and when not provided separately from mess-rooms, the mess-rooms shall be
planned, furnished and equipped to provide recreational facilities.

Furnishings in recreation rooms shall include as a minimum—

a bookcase;

facilities for reading and writing; and

where practicable, facilities for games.

In every ship over 8000 GT there shall be provided for the seafarers—

facilities and equipment for watching films and, where available, television;
and

where practicable, a swimming pool.

In every ship, deck space on an open deck and reserved for the use of seafarers
shall be available for recreational purposes, and the space shall be adequate having regard
to the size of the ship and the number of seafarers.

Where practicable, and in addition to the facilities in sub-paragraph (2),
seafarers shall be provided with—

a smoking room;

sports equipment (including exercise equipment);

a library containing vocational and other books that are changed at
reasonable intervals;

where appropriate, a bar;

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

(g)

(7)

27 (1)

(2)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(3)

(a)

(b)

(4)

(5)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

22

MERCHANT SHIPPING (SEAFARERS’ ACCOMMODATION) REGULATIONS
2013

reasonable access to ship to shore telephone communications; and

at reasonable cost, reasonable access to email and the internet.

Offices
In every ship there shall be provided rooms set aside and furnished as offices

for the deck department and for the engineering department, and where it is impracticable
to provide separate offices, a combined office shall be provided which is of sufficient size to
accommodate the needs of both departments.

The Minister may exempt ships of less than 3000 GT from the requirements of
paragraph (1) after consultation with the shipowners’ and seafarers’ organisations, or,
where this is not possible, after consultation with the special tripartite committee
established by Article XIII of the Maritime Labour Convention .

Laundry facilities and arrangements for working clothes
Except in ships where seafarers are not accommodated on board overnight,

facilities shall be provided for washing, drying and ironing clothes for all the seafarers
employed in the ship within easy reach of the sleeping rooms.

The facilities provided shall include—

washing machines and sinks supplied with an adequate supply of hot and
cold fresh water, and which may be installed in wash rooms if it is not
practicable to provide a separate laundry room;

drying machines and an adequately heated and ventilated drying room,
unless the drying machines are capable of drying clothes completely; and

ironing boards or an equivalent surface, and electric irons.

Adequately ventilated compartments or lockers solely for hanging working
clothes shall be provided in a position outside, but conveniently near to, sleeping rooms.

Where separate facilities are provided for engine room personnel to change, the
facilities shall be—

located outside the engine room;

fitted with individual clothes lockers;

fitted with showers or tubs (or both); and

fitted with wash basins having hot and cold running water.

Hospital facilities
Every ship carrying 15 or more seafarers and engaged on voyages of more than

3 days duration shall be provided with separate hospital accommodation to be used
exclusively for medical purposes.

(e)

(f)

28 (1)

(2)

29 (1)

(2)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(3)

(4)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

30 (1)

23

MERCHANT SHIPPING (SEAFARERS’ ACCOMMODATION) REGULATIONS
2013

In every other ship, except ships in which every seafarer is provided with a
single berth sleeping room, a suitable room shall be nominated, in case of need, as a
temporary hospital and when used for that purpose shall not be used for any other purpose.

Every hospital, or room nominated as a temporary hospital, shall be situated
so that it is as quiet as possible and readily accessible in all weathers—

from the sleeping room of any seafarer who is employed as a doctor or a
nurse; or

if no doctor or nurse is employed, the master’s accommodation, or the
accommodation of the person nominated with responsibility for medical
care on board.

Wherever practicable, the minimum width of the entrance to any hospital shall
be 760 millimetres, and every hospital or temporary hospital shall be arranged so that a
stretcher can be easily carried into it and placed alongside at least one single-tier bed.

Every permanent hospital shall be provided with at least one bed for every 50,
or fraction of 50, seafarers employed on board, provided that the total number of beds need
not exceed 6 and at least one bed in every permanent hospital shall be a single-tiered bed,
and so far as possible, placed to enable access from both sides and from the foot.

Where two-tiered beds are provided in a hospital, the upper bed shall be either
hinged or removable.

The minimum inside dimensions of every bed in a permanent hospital shall be
adequate to accommodate a mattress of 200 centimetres in length and 84 centimetres in
width, and in all other respects beds in a permanent hospital shall comply with the
requirements set out in regulation 22.

Any room in a permanent hospital which contains a bed shall, unless it is
served by an air conditioning system or a trunked mechanical ventilation system, be fitted
with an electric fan.

All portlights and windows in a room containing a bed as part of a permanent
hospital shall be fitted with blinds or curtains.

Every permanent hospital shall be provided with a ventilation system that is
separated from the ventilation system for other parts of the ship.

For each bed in a hospital ward, there shall be provided within reach—

a locker approximately 300 millimetres square and 610 millimetres in
height with a flat top and a shelf;

a call alarm connecting to a location where the doctor, nurse or person in
charge of medical care can be alerted to any call;

a seat; and

a clothes locker.

(2)

(3)

(a)

(b)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

(10)

(11)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

24

MERCHANT SHIPPING (SEAFARERS’ ACCOMMODATION) REGULATIONS
2013

The floor covering in every hospital shall be of an impervious material easily
cleaned and free of joints.

A washbasin with a supply of both hot and cold fresh water shall be provided
in the ward or in adjacent washing accommodation for every permanent hospital, and in
vessels of 5000 GT or more, a bath in washing accommodation adjacent to the hospital shall
also be provided.

There shall be direct access to washing accommodation from the ward or from
a lobby within the hospital for every permanent hospital, and the door to the washing
accommodation shall open outwards and be capable of being opened from the outside.

A toilet shall be provided in every permanent hospital either in a separate closet
or in the washing accommodation, and the room in which the toilet is situated shall be
served by a trunked mechanical ventilation system that effectively removes odours.

In passenger ships, one hospital may be provided to serve both seafarers and
passengers, and in such a case, separate male and female wards and sanitary
accommodation shall be provided for seafarers, except where there are no female seafarers.

Medical cabinet
There shall be provided a medical cabinet for the storage of medical supplies

that are required to be carried, and the medical cabinet shall be suitable for its purpose
and, in particular, shall be—

located close to the permanent hospital, where one is provided, but not in
the ward of such a permanent hospital;

located in a place protected from high temperatures;

fitted with a lock and an inner compartment operated by a separate lock
for the storage of controlled drugs; and

well lit.

Potable water and fresh water
Cold, fresh water for drinking, cooking and dish-washing shall be provided in

galleys, bars and pantries and, in the case of mess-rooms provided for seafarers for whom
no pantry is provided, in that mess-room.

Tanks from which potable water is supplied and other tanks supplying fresh
water to washbasins, showers and laundries, and any machinery installed to produce fresh
water, shall be of sufficient capacity to ensure an adequate supply of such water at all times
for all the seafarers on board, provided that the tanks shall always be sufficient in capacity
to provide for two days supply.

Potable water tanks and other fresh water tanks, as well as any manholes
leading to them, and all pipe-work and other parts of the distribution system for potable
and fresh water, shall be arranged and constructed so as to prevent any risk of
contamination and allow ease of maintenance and cleaning.

(12)

(13)

(14)

(15)

(16)

31 (1)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

32 (1)

(2)

(3)

25

MERCHANT SHIPPING (SEAFARERS’ ACCOMMODATION) REGULATIONS
2013

Whenever potable or fresh water is produced on board, the water produced
shall be treated by suitably automatic means of disinfection.

Galleys
Every ship, except a ship in which no seafarer is required to eat on board, shall

be provided with a galley suitable for the preparation of the seafarers’ meals and positioned
clear of working areas and situated as close as practicable to the mess-rooms.

Every galley shall be designed and equipped so that it is possible to serve hot
food to all the persons whom the galley is intended to serve in the mess room in all weathers
and shall be designed so that its equipment and all the areas around the equipment may
be easily kept clean.

All furnishings and equipment in a galley shall be constructed of materials
which are impervious to dirt and damp and all metal parts shall be rustproof. The bottoms
of all fitted furniture and equipment shall be either flush with the deck and sealed against
the ingress of water and dirt or raised sufficiently high above the deck as to permit easy
cleaning underneath.

The deck covering in every galley shall be of a material impervious to water or
dirt and easily cleaned and which also provides a secure non-slip surface for seafarers
working in the galley.

Every galley shall be provided with—

a washbasin supplied with hot and cold fresh water;

a supply of cold drinking water;

sufficient scuppers and drains to effectively drain any water or spills;

an effective ventilation system, and an extraction system for fumes, that
maintains a comfortable working environment in the galley for seafarers;

suitable means for washing down and cleaning with fresh water; and

facilities to easily access the internal parts of the ventilation system
required by sub-paragraph (d) for cleaning.

There shall be no salt water tap fitted in any galley or in any other place where
food is prepared.

Food storage
In every ship which is equipped with a galley there shall be adequate store

rooms provided for the storage of food, and each storage room shall—

have sufficient shelves and other storage arrangements fitted so that it may
be easily cleaned, and so that the stock may be readily checked and
examined;

have ready access from the galley;

(4)

33 (1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

(6)

34 (1)

(a)

(b)

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MERCHANT SHIPPING (SEAFARERS’ ACCOMMODATION) REGULATIONS
2013

be situated, constructed and ventilated so as to minimise the possibility of
deterioration of the stores through heat, condensation, infestation or other
cause;

not be situated directly over or directly adjoining any space, such as a
machinery space or a galley that is subject to abnormal heat, unless the
division between them is adequately insulated; and

be for the exclusive purpose of storing dry provisions.

Every ship of 1000 GT or more shall be fitted with cold store rooms for the
storage of perishable food items, and every ship of less than 1000 GT that is not provided
with cold store rooms shall be provided with alternative facilities suitable for the storage of
both chilled and frozen provisions.

Cold store rooms shall be constructed to allow them to be easily cleaned, and
shall have sufficient capacity to provide for the number of seafarers on board, and for the
expected period between successive replenishments.

Access to any cold store room shall be from a pantry, galley, passageway, lobby
or another cold store.

The refrigerating machinery serving any cold store shall be separated from the
seafarers’ accommodation and capable of maintaining the temperatures required for the
storage of cold and frozen provisions, and shall not use ammonia or methyl chloride as a
refrigerant.

A warning light outside each cold store or group of stores, shall be incorporated
in the lighting for that store or group, and in addition there shall be a means of raising an
alarm from inside the cold store, and a means of activating the door latching mechanism
from inside the store.

Protection from mosquitoes
Except when the seafarers’ accommodation is fully air conditioned and windows

and portlights are not normally open, any opening doors, ventilators, portlights and
windows in ships trading to areas where there is an identified risk of malaria shall be
provided with suitable screening to prevent the passage of mosquitoes.

Maintenance of seafarers’ accommodation
The shipowner shall maintain the seafarers’ accommodation in a clean and

habitable condition, and all equipment required by these regulations shall be maintained
in good working order.

Every part of the seafarers’ accommodation, except store rooms, shall be kept
free of stores and other property not provided for or belonging to the seafarers for whom the
accommodation is provided, and no cargo shall be carried or stowed in any part of the
seafarers’ accommodation.

At intervals not exceeding one month, the master, or a person authorised by
him, shall make an inspection of the seafarers’ accommodation, galleys, and mess-rooms,
provided that in ships where the number of crew exceeds 250, the inspections need not

(c)

(d)

(e)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

35

36 (1)

(2)

(3)

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MERCHANT SHIPPING (SEAFARERS’ ACCOMMODATION) REGULATIONS
2013

cover all the seafarers’ accommodation but where they do not, the master shall arrange that
each area is inspected at intervals not exceeding 3 months, and each inspection shall be
for the purpose of establishing—

that the seafarers’ accommodation remains in compliance with these
regulations;

that sleeping rooms, recreational facilities, sanitary facilities, galleys and
mess-rooms remain clean and tidy; and

that the accommodation as a whole continues to provide decent living
arrangements for the seafarers.

The date and the details of any defects uncovered and a record of action taken
to rectify the defect shall be recorded and signed by the master following each inspection,
and the record of inspections shall be retained on board for not less than 3 years and be
available to any of the seafarers, and to any person duly authorised by the Minister.

Inspection
Any person duly authorised by the Minister may inspect any ship to which

these regulations apply when in a port in Bermuda, and if he is satisfied that any part of
the seafarers’ accommodation is not in accordance with the requirements stated in the
Declaration Part 1 to the ship’s Maritime Labour Certificate, or in the case of a ship to which
a Maritime Labour Certificate is not issued, the requirements in Regulation 2.3 of the
Maritime Labour Convention, he may detain the ship, but shall not in the exercise of these
powers detain or delay the ship unreasonably.

Any authorised officer of the Maritime Administration who discovers that a
Bermuda ship does not comply with these regulations may—

withdraw the vessel’s Maritime Labour Certificate until such time as the
deficiency is rectified; or

if the vessel is in a port outside Bermuda, report the deficiency to the Port
State Authority in that port.

Penalties
Any contravention of regulation 36(1) or regulation 36(2) is an offence by the

shipowner and master, and he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding
$10,000.

Any contravention of regulation 36(3) is an offence by the master, and he shall
be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000.

Any contravention of regulation 36(4) is an offence by the master, and he shall
be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $3,000.

Inspection
Any person duly authorised by the Minister may inspect any ship to which

these regulations apply when in port in Bermuda, and if he is satisfied that any part of the

(a)

(b)

(c)

(4)

37 (1)

(2)

(a)

(b)

38 (1)

(2)

(3)

39 (1)

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MERCHANT SHIPPING (SEAFARERS’ ACCOMMODATION) REGULATIONS
2013

seafarers’ accommodation is not in accordance with the requirements stated in the
Declaration Part 1 to the ship’s Maritime Labour Certificate or in the case of ship without
such a certificate, Standard A3.1 of the Maritime Labour Convention, he may detain the
ship, but shall not in the exercise of these powers detain or delay the ship unreasonably.

Any authorised officer of the Maritime Administration who establishes that the
accommodation for seafarers in a Bermuda ship to which these regulations apply does not
comply with these Regulations may—

withdraw the ship’s maritime labour certificate until the deficiency is
rectified; or

if in a port outside of Bermuda, report the deficiency to the port state
control authorities in that port if outside of Bermuda.

Superseding the United Kingdom Merchant Shipping (Crew Accommodation)
Regulations 1997

The United Kingdom Merchant Shipping (Crew Accommodation) Regulations 1997,
which were adopted in Bermuda by incorporating them into the 5th Schedule to the
Merchant Shipping Act 1979, are superseded by these Regulations.

Commencement
These Regulations shall come into operation on the same date on which the

Merchant Shipping (ILO) Amendment Act 2012 comes into operation.

(2)

(a)

(b)

40

41

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MERCHANT SHIPPING (SEAFARERS’ ACCOMMODATION) REGULATIONS
2013

SCHEDULE

(Regulation 10(4))

LIGHTING STANDARDS

In this schedule, a general measurement point, in relation to any space, is a point
at a height of 850 millimetres vertically above the deck—

(a) at every point midway between 2 adjacent lights in that space;

(b) at every point midway between any lamp and the closest boundary to
that lamp;

(c) where any part of the space available for free movement is shielded from
the direct rays of a lamp due to the shape of the boundary of the space, the
central point of the space shielded.

The light intensity of lighting in seafarers’ accommodation required by regulation
9(4) shall be at least the value contained in the table below—

Placement Light Value(Lux)
At general measurement points in passageways,
companionways, sleeping rooms, day rooms,
hospital wards and recreation rooms

50

At general measurement points in messrooms,
offices and studies, laundries, store rooms and
sanitary accommodation

100

At recreational room tables and washbasins in
hospitals

100

At tables, writing desks and sinks 150
At mirrors in sleeping rooms and sanitary facilities 200
At seats in offices and studies and writing desks 200
At working positions in galleys 300

Made this 20th day of December 2013



Minister of Tourism Development and Transport

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