Division 11.—Openings in the Shell Plating below the Margin Line.
Openings—generally.
43.—(1.) The number of openings, and the number of each class of opening, in the shell plating of a ship below the margin line shall be the minimum compatible with the design and proper working of the ship.
(2.) An opening referred to in the last preceding sub-regulation shall be provided with a watertight covering, or other device, by means of which the opening may be closed and made watertight.
(3.) In this regulation, “opening” includes a side scuttle (whether opening or non-opening), a port, a scupper and a sanitary discharge opening.
Side scuttles not to be capable of being opened.
44.—(1.) Subject to the next succeeding sub-regulation, a side scuttle in a between decks of a ship shall not be capable of being opened.
(2.) Where a side scuttle in a ship is fitted in a between decks and the sill of that side scuttle, and of every other side scuttle in the between decks, is above a line drawn parallel to the bulkhead deck at side and having its lowest point at a distance equal to two and one-half per centum of the breadth of the ship above the deepest sub-division load water-line of the ship, the side scuttle may be an opening type if it can be opened only by means of a key or special tool which does not form part of the scuttle.
Side scuttle to be fitted with watertight deadlight.
45.—(1.) Subject to the next succeeding sub-regulation, a side scuttle which is fitted below the margin line of a ship shall be fitted with a watertight hinged deadlight which shall be permanently attached to the scuttle.
(2.) Where—
(a) a side scuttle is fitted below the margin line of a ship in a crew space or in a passenger space not intended for the carriage of steerage passengers; and
(b) the side scuttle is—
(i) abaft a point which is distant one-eighth of the length of the ship from the forward perpendicular of the ship; and
(ii) above a line drawn parallel to the bulkhead deck at side and having its lowest point at a distance equal to twelve feet plus two and one half per centum of the breadth of the ship above the deepest subdivision load water-line of the ship,
the side scuttle may be fitted with a portable watertight deadlight.
Position of side scuttles.
46.—(1.) A side scuttle shall not be fitted below the margin line of a ship in a space intended solely for the carriage of cargo or coal.
(2.) A side scuttle for automatic ventilation shall not be fitted below the margin line of a ship.
Discharges and inlets to prevent accidental admission of water.
47.—(1.) Each inlet and discharge led through the shell plating of a ship below the margin line of the ship shall be fitted with efficient and readily accessible means for preventing the accidental admission of water into the ship and, in particular, a discharge led through the shell plating of the ship from spaces below the margin line of the ship, not being a discharge in connexion with machinery, shall be provided with—
(a) one automatic non-return valve fitted with—
(i) means by which the valve can be closed from a readily accessible position above the bulkhead deck of the ship; and
(ii) an indicator at the position from which the valve can be closed to show whether the valve is open or closed; or
(b) two automatic non-return valves the upper of which—
(i) shall be of a horizontal balanced type which is normally closed; and
(ii) shall be so situated above the ship’s deepest subdivision load water-line as to be always accessible for examination under service conditions.
(2.) Where a valve fitted to a discharge in pursuance of the last preceding sub-regulation is—
(a) a geared valve; or
(b) the lower of two non-geared valves,
the valve shall be secured to the shell plating of the ship.
Material for cock or valve.
Where—
(a) a cock or valve is fitted to an inlet or discharge in a ship;
(b) the inlet or discharge is not connected with machinery; and
(c) the cock or valve is situated below the margin line of the ship or the failure of the cock or valve could affect the sub-division of the ship,
the cock or valve shall be made of steel, bronze or other suitable material.
Inlets or discharges connected with machinery.
A main or auxiliary inlet or discharge in a ship, being an inlet or discharge connected with machinery, shall be fitted with a cock or valve which—
(a) shall be situated between the pipe connected with the inlet or discharge and the shell plating of the ship or between that pipe and a fabricated box attached to the shell plating of the ship;
(b) if the bore of the cock or valve exceeds three inches—shall be made of steel, bronze or other suitable material; and
(c) if the cock or valve is made of steel—shall be protected against corrosion.
Discharge pipes.
50.—(1.) A discharge pipe led through the shell plating of a ship below the margin line shall not be fitted in a direct line between the outboard opening and the connexion with the deck, water closet or other thing to which the pipe is connected, but shall have a bend or elbow of substantial metal other than cast iron or lead.
(2.) A discharge pipe led through the shell plating of a ship below the margin line, and the valve or valves fitted to it, shall be protected from damage.
Bolt connecting cock, &c., to shell plating to be countersunk, &c.
A bolt which connects a cock, valve, discharge or inlet pipe, or other similar equipment, to the shell plating of a ship below the margin line of the ship shall—
(a) have its head outside the shell plating of the ship; and
(b) shall be either countersunk or cup-headed.
Watertight decks to be drained.
A drainage system shall be provided for the drainage of each watertight deck of a ship below the margin line of the ship and, where drainage pipes are used for that purpose, they shall be so fitted with valves, or otherwise so constructed, as to prevent the passage of water from one to another of the watertight compartments into which the ship is sub-divided in pursuance of this Part of these Regulations.
Ash shoots, rubbish shoots, &c.
53.—(1.) The inboard opening of an ash-shoot, rubbish-shoot or other similar shoot in a ship (not being an ash ejector or expeller to which sub-regulation (3.) of this regulation applies) shall be fitted with—
(a) a watertight cover; and
(b) where the opening is below the margin line of the ship—an automatic non-return valve in a readily accessible position above the deepest sub-division load water-line of the ship.
(2.) The valve referred to in the last preceding sub-regulation shall be of a horizontal balanced type which is normally closed and shall be provided with a control at the valve for securing it in a closed position.
(3.) An ash ejector or expeller the inboard opening of which is in the stokehold of a ship and below the deepest sub-division load water-line of the ship shall be fitted with equipment which will prevent water entering the ship through the ejector or expeller.
Gangway ports.
Where a gangway port, cargo port or coaling port is fitted below the margin line of a ship—
(a) the port shall be of adequate strength; and
(b) the lowest point of the port shall be above the deepest sub-division load water-line of the ship.