Cap. 369 sub. leg. E

Merchant Shipping (Minimum Passenger Space) Regulations(Cap. 369, section 123(3))* [5 December 1969](Format changes—E.R. 1 of 2024) Editorial Note: * These regulations were made under the repealed section 27 of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (Cap. 281, 1974 R. Ed.)—see section 119(1) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (Cap. 281) and section 123(3) of the Merchant Shipping (Safety) Ordinance (Cap. 369). 1. Citation These regulations may be cited as the Merchant Shipping (Minimum Passenger Space) Regulations. 2. Interpretation (1) In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires—clear area (暢通面積) means the area remaining after all encumbrances such as hatchways, skylights, companions, deckhouses, machinery casings, deck machinery, masts, ventilators, lifejacket lockers, etc., and after all areas required for the working of the anchors or the boats or required for the purposes of navigation have been deducted from the total area but does not include any space reserved for a hospital or for any other deck erection;Director (處長) includes any Government surveyor appointed under subsection (1) of section 26 of the Ordinance;eastern trade area (東部航區) means the areas to which the Simla Rules from time to time in operation in Hong Kong apply;gross passenger area (總乘客面積) means the total area of any compartment or space at deck level other than such area as is excluded by permanent closed bulkheads extending from deck to deck;livestock (牲畜) includes horned cattle, deer, horses, asses, camels, sheep, goats, pigs and dogs but does not include poultry or game;Merchant Shipping Medical Scales (商船藥物級別) means the published scales of medicines and medical stores referred to in section 17 of the Ordinance and in operation from time to time in Hong Kong;Merchant Shipping (Passenger Ship Construction) Rules (《商船(客船構造)規則》) means the Merchant Shipping (Passenger Ship Construction) Rules (S.I. 1965/1103 U.K.) made by the Board of Trade and extended to Hong Kong by the Merchant Shipping Safety Convention (Hong Kong) No. 1 Order 1953 (S.I. 1953/592 U.K.);river trade area (內河航區) means any area in the waters in the vicinity of Hong Kong within the following boundaries—(a) (i) on the East—Meridian 114° 30´ East;(ii) on the South—Parallel 22° 9´ North;(iii) on the West—Meridian 113° 31´ East; and(b) all inland waterways in the Guangdong Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to which access can be obtained from the area specified in paragraph (a); (L.N. 80 of 2012)sanitary accommodation (衞生間) means accommodation set aside for the purposes of washing and also means accommodation containing water-closets or urinals;short international voyage (短途國際航程) has the meaning assigned to it in the First Schedule to the Merchant Shipping Safety Convention (Hong Kong) No. 1 Order 1953 (S.I. 1953/592 U.K.);unberthed passenger (無鋪位乘客) means a passenger, whether provided with a berth or not, found in a compartment in a ship containing more than six berths or passengers;washing accommodation (洗濯間) means accommodation set aside for the purposes of washing other than—(a) any sleeping room or hospital ward, whether or not such room or ward is provided with a wash-basin, bath or shower; and(b) any room set aside for use only as a laundry;watertight (水密) and weathertight (風雨密) have the meanings assigned to them in the Merchant Shipping (Passenger Ship Construction) Rules for the time being in operation in Hong Kong;weather deck (露天甲板) means the uppermost deck in a ship, except in the case of passenger compartments from which access to the open air is on the deck forming the crown of a poop, bridge, forecastle or other enclosed space, in which case the deck over that space shall be deemed to be the weather deck.(2) Unless the context otherwise requires, no structure shall, for the purposes of these regulations, be deemed to be watertight, gastight or oiltight unless every opening in the structure other than ventilation openings required for the purpose of admission of air from passageways to sanitary accommodation, laundries, drying rooms or galleys is provided with means of closure whereby the opening may be made watertight, gastight or oiltight, as the case may be. 3. Application (1) These regulations shall apply to—(a) all passenger ships engaged in the eastern trade area or the river trade area which carry, or are certificated to carry, berthed or unberthed passengers; and(b) all ships registered in Hong Kong which—(i) carry, or are certificated to carry, more than twelve passengers; and(ii) are engaged in any trade.(2) In the case of any ship—(a) to which these regulations apply pursuant to paragraph (1); and(b) which does not comply with the provisions of these regulations at the date of commencement* of these regulations,the Director shall determine the alterations that he requires to be made to the ship so that it may comply, so far as possible, with the provisions of these regulations.(3) Any alteration of a ship required to be made pursuant to paragraph (2) shall consist only of such improvements as are, in the opinion of the Director, reasonable and practicable in respect of that ship. Editorial Note: * Commencement date: 5 December 1969. 4. Plans (1) The owner of every ship to which these regulations apply, or the person to whose order such a ship is being constructed, shall furnish to the Director for his approval a plan of the ship before the first issue of a passenger certificate and not later than the day on which the construction of the arrangements specified in paragraph (2) is commenced.(2) Any plan required to be furnished to the Director pursuant to paragraph (1) shall—(a) be drawn on a scale of not less than 1 in 100;(b) show the arrangement of the facilities, compartments and spaces to be allocated to berthed and unberthed passengers, with the approximate clear areas and the number of passengers to be contained in each such space; and(c) show clearly—(i) the purpose for which each compartment or space is to be used and where each bunk is to be fitted;(ii) the means of ingress and egress of passengers to and from each compartment and deck, showing the width of the stairways, ladderways and doorways giving access to the weather deck space for use as exercise space for the passengers;(iii) the proposed arrangements for ventilation and natural, artificial and emergency lighting;(iv) the proposed sanitary accommodation and, in particular, the spaces so appropriated for each category of berthed passengers, male and female, unberthed passengers, male and female, and the crew;(v) the proposed galley and cooking arrangements to be provided for unberthed passengers, including the arrangements for supplying fresh water to passengers; and(vi) the proposed hospital accommodation.(3) The owner of every ship to which these regulations apply shall, before any alteration to the passenger accommodation thereof is carried out, furnish to the Director for his approval a plan of the proposed alteration.(4) Any plan furnished to the Director pursuant to paragraph (3) shall comply with the requirements prescribed in paragraph (2). 5. Spaces for passengers (1) In every ship to which these regulations apply the compartments and spaces allocated for the accommodation of passengers shall, subject to paragraph (2), be situated in—(a) the uppermost between deck; or(b) the between deck next below the uppermost between deck; or(c) detached superstructures or properly permanently constructed steel deckhouses above the uppermost between deck.(2) Unberthed passengers shall not be carried upon the deck next below one deck of which only the floor is at any time below the summer load line marked on the ship in accordance with the provisions of the Load Line Rules for the time being in operation in Hong Kong.(3) For the purposes of this regulation—(a) a shelter between deck, if exempted under the tonnage rules in operation in the country in which the ship is registered, shall be deemed to be the uppermost between deck; and(b) a partial shelter deck at the end of a detached superstructure shall be deemed to be a space in a detached superstructure for the purpose of the carriage of unberthed passengers, whether in bunks or not, if all of the side openings therein can be closed by permanent means of closing appliance so as to render such space reasonably weathertight and to the satisfaction of the Director.(4) A hospital in a ship shall not be used as accommodation for any person other than—(a) a passenger who is sick; or(b) a member of the crew who is sick,and a dispensary in a ship shall not be used as a sleeping place for any person.(5) No stores or goods of any description other than such medical stores and medicines as are required to be carried on board a ship pursuant to the Merchant Shipping Medical Scales shall be stowed in any hospital or dispensary.(6) No passenger shall be carried in any compartment or space allocated for the accommodation of any member of the crew of a ship, whether or not such compartment or space is deductible from the gross tonnage of the ship. 6. Bulkheads (1) In every ship to which these regulations apply every bulkhead enclosing or within any part of the spaces allocated for the accommodation of passengers, other than exercise space, shall be constructed in accordance with the Merchant Shipping (Passenger Ship Construction) Rules from time to time in operation in Hong Kong.(2) Every bulkhead exposed to the weather shall be watertight and gastight and each opening in every such bulkhead shall be capable of being closed so that the bulkheads are weathertight.(3) All inside panelling and ceiling shall be constructed in accordance with the Merchant Shipping (Passenger Ship Construction) Rules from time to time in operation in Hong Kong.(4) No bulkhead or inside panelling shall be constructed of tongued and grooved boarding or other similar material or in any manner likely to harbour vermin therein.(5) Any bulkhead which separates any space allocated for the accommodation of passengers, other than as exercise space, from any space used as—(a) a permanent coal bunker;(b) an oil fuel bunker;(c) a machinery space;(d) a lamp room or paint room;(e) a dry provision store room or any store room other than a linen locker, medicine locker or lifejacket locker;(f) a chain locker; or(g) a cofferdam,shall be constructed of steel and shall be gastight and, where required, suitably insulated and, where necessary, watertight, to protect the passenger space.(6) Subject to paragraph (7), any bulkhead that separates any space allocated for the accommodation of passengers, other than as exercise space, from—(a) an isolation hospital;(b) sanitary accommodation;(c) a laundry or drying room;(d) galley; or(e) cold store room,shall be constructed of steel and shall be gastight and, where required, suitably insulated, and shall be watertight to such height as is necessary to prevent the passage of water from such adjoining space into the passenger space; and, in particular, any bulkhead separating sanitary accommodation from any space allocated for the accommodation of passengers shall, except in doorways, be watertight to a height of at least 9 inches above the floor of the sanitary accommodation.(7) The provisions of paragraph (6) shall not apply to any bulkhead that separates—(a) sanitary accommodation from other sanitary accommodation;(b) a laundry room from a drying room or from another laundry or drying room;(c) a galley from another galley or a pantry;(d) a cold store room from another cold store room; or(e) sanitary accommodation appropriated for the use of a berthed passenger from the cabin of a berthed passenger from which it may be entered directly. 7. Deck sheathing and floors (1) In every ship to which these regulations apply, every deck forming the crown of any of the compartments or spaces allocated for the accommodation of passengers, other than as exercise space, and exposed to the weather shall be constructed of steel or other metal.(2) Subject to paragraph (3), the upper side of every such deck shall, where it is exposed to the weather, be sheathed to the satisfaction of the Director.(3) The upper side of a deck forming the crown of any space or compartment above the uppermost between deck which is allocated for the use of passengers shall not be required to be sheathed if it forms neither part of a weather deck included in the space allocated as exercise space for passengers nor part of a deck to which passengers require access and if it is fitted on the undersides with insulating material to the satisfaction of the Director so as to avoid absorption of water, condensation, transmission of noise and the harbouring of dirt and vermin.(4) All weather decks forming any part of the space allocated as exercise space for passengers and all decks to which passengers require access shall be sheathed to the satisfaction of the Director.(5) Any deck not exposed to the weather upon which any space has been allocated for the carriage of unberthed passengers shall be sheathed to the satisfaction of the Director and shall be fitted with proper gutterways to facilitate cleaning.(6) No passenger shall be carried on a deck forming the crown of an oil fuel space unless—(a) the deck is thoroughly oiltight;(b) within the space or compartment allocated as accommodation for passengers, there is no manhole or opening to the oil space;(c) the deck is covered by a non-inflammable composition, impervious to oil and of a thickness approved by the Director; and(d) the space or compartment is well ventilated.(7) Where sheathing or flooring is required otherwise than on deck forming the crown of an oil fuel space it shall consist of—(a) wood of at least 2 1/4 inches in thickness, properly laid and caulked; or(b) a material approved by the Director in substitution for wood, of a thickness determined by the Director and laid to the satisfaction of the Director.(8) Where the sheathing or flooring laid on any metal deck in a compartment or space allocated as accommodation for passengers consists of any material other than wood, such sheathing or flooring shall consist of a material approved by the Director and so laid that the joinings of such material with the bulkheads, other than where gutterways are fitted, shall be rounded in a manner that will avoid crevices in the sheathing or flooring; and in the case of berthed passenger accommodation other than sanitary accommodation, galleys and laundries allocated for the use of berthed passengers, such sheathing or flooring may consist of linoleum laid to the satisfaction of the Director.(9) The floors of all sanitary accommodation and of every galley and laundry shall—(a) be covered with terrazo, tiles or other hard material impervious to liquids;(b) provide a good foothold;(c) be laid in such a manner that the joinings of the floors with the bulkheads in such accommodation are rounded and have no crevices in them; and(d) be laid to the satisfaction of the Director.(10) The floors of every hospital or dispensary, other than in sanitary accommodation contained in or connected with any such hospital or dispensary, shall consist of—(a) linoleum, free from joints and laid to the satisfaction of the Director; or(b) a material, approved by the Director, not likely to be damaged by surgical spirits or other liquids used in the hospital or dispensary, laid to the satisfaction of the Director. 8. Safety measures—piping installations, notices, entrances and exits, hatchway openings and ventilation trunks (1) No steam supply or exhaust pipe for steering gear, winches, rice boilers or other similar equipment shall be fitted to pass through any compartment or space allocated for the accommodation of passengers in any ship to which these regulations apply: Provided that, where the Director is satisfied that any alternative arrangement is unreasonable or impracticable in the circumstances, he may permit such pipes, if insulated and encased to his satisfaction, to be fitted to pass through passageways accessible to passengers, subject, in the case of supply pipes, to the following conditions— (a) the pipes shall be soundly constructed of solid drawn steel or other suitable material; (b) the pipes shall be of a scantling sufficient to withstand the maximum pressure from the ship’s boiler system; (c) all connexions in the pipes shall be by faced flanges properly jointed; and (d) the pipes shall be fitted with adequate drainage arrangements. (2) Every steam pipe, hot water pipe and calorifier in or serving any sanitary accommodation or hospital shall be efficiently lagged for the protection of any person from injury or discomfort.(3) Every piping system that is part of a smothering-gas or steam installation, which serves a compartment or space to which passengers have access or which has been allocated as accommodation for unberthed passengers shall—(a) for the purpose of guarding against inadvertent operation of the system whilst passengers are within such compartments or spaces, be fitted with an additional valve or cock, which can be locked; and(b) be made so as to enable a length of pipe outside such compartment or space, preferably adjacent to the control valve, to be removed.(4) Conspicuous notices indicating the precautionary measures to be adopted in case of an emergency shall be posted in every compartment or space referred to in paragraph (3) and also in the control station.(5) The means of access to and egress from a space or compartment allocated for the accommodation of passengers shall be situated so that in the event of a fire in any cargo space, storage space, lamp room, galley or machinery space, such fire will not prevent the escape of passengers from any such space or compartment.(6) Every hatchway within any space allocated for the accommodation of unberthed passengers shall be guarded by portable stanchions of a height of not less than 42 inches, spaced at suitable intervals and fitted with chains, or equivalent, and so spaced that the vertical distance in between does not exceed 12 inches, the lowest line of same being not more than 9 inches from the deck or by other similar means when any such hatchway is open for the purpose of working cargo or for any other purpose.(7) Any ventilator trunk to a cargo space or tank shall be constructed of steel or other suitable material and shall, if it passes through any space or compartment allocated for the accommodation of passengers, be gastight and suitably insulated.(8) Any ventilator trunk used for the natural or mechanical ventilation of any space or compartment allocated for the accommodation of passengers shall not be used for the ventilation of any space other than space or compartments used exclusively for the accommodation of passengers or crew. 9. Ventilation of sanitary accommodation (1) Sanitary accommodation shall be so arranged as to prevent, as far as possible, any effluvia from such sanitary accommodation penetrating into any space or compartment allocated for the accommodation of passengers.(2) In the case of any trunked ventilation system used to provide ventilation for sanitary accommodation in addition to passenger accommodation, each trunk leading to the sanitary accommodation shall be fitted with apparatus to prevent the dissemination of effluvia from the sanitary accommodation to other spaces when the ventilation system is not in use.(3) In no case shall a natural ventilation trunk be used to provide ventilation common to both passenger accommodation and sanitary accommodation. 10. Provision for spaces in which livestock may be carried (1) Where livestock are carried on a ship to which these regulations apply, such arrangements as are approved by the Director shall be made for separating the spaces in which the livestock are carried from any space allocated for the accommodation of passengers.(2) Except where livestock are carried on an exposed deck, close fitting partitions and separate ventilation systems shall be fitted to prevent effluvia escaping from any space in which livestock are carried to passenger accommodation.(3) Where livestock are carried on an exposed deck the partitions shall not be required to be as close fitting if washboards are securely placed to prevent any excreta from the livestock flowing or being carried into the passenger accommodation. 11. Separation of passenger spaces from spaces occupied by livestock, fish or cargo (1) In the case of any ship engaged exclusively in the river trade area, if part of the deck of the ship is used for the carriage of livestock, fish or cargo, such part shall be separated from any space allocated for the accommodation of passengers by means of gastight partition or other effective barriers so constructed as to prevent any excreta or liquid refuse from flowing or being carried into the space in which the livestock, fish or cargo is being carried and also to prevent any liquid from fruit or vegetables or any excreta from livestock flowing or being carried into any space allocated for the accommodation of passengers.(2) No passenger, other than a bona fide attendant of livestock or fish, shall be accommodated in any space allocated for the carriage of any livestock, fish or cargo.(3) No passenger shall be accommodated in any compartment adjoining any part of a tank in which oil may be carried in bulk, other than the crown of any such tank, unless the compartment is separated from the tank by a gastight steel division in addition to the division which retains the oil.(4) Every space between the two bulkheads shall be accessible and well ventilated:Provided that if the bunker bulkhead is of welded construction the additional bulkhead need not be fitted. 12. Fittings on deck spaces to which passengers have access (1) Every deck space to which any passenger has access shall be fitted with proper fittings to prevent persons falling therefrom.(2) If such fittings consist of rails and stanchions—(a) the top of the uppermost rail shall be not less than 3 feet 6 inches in height above the top of the deck; and(b) in order to provide adequate protection for children, the rails shall be not more than 9 inches apart unless strong wire netting is placed between the rails.(3) If bulwarks are fitted they shall be not less than 3 feet 6 inches high; and the freeing ports shall be fitted with suitable grids for the protection of children.(4) The height of the rails shall be measured by the vertical distance from the top of the highest rail to the top of the deck at a point vertically below the inner edge of the rail:Provided that where the deck has a waterway, the height of the rail shall be measured from the top of the highest rail to the top of the deck plank next to the waterway. 13. Means of access and egress, generally (1) In every ship to which these regulations apply, all stairways and passages shall be so arranged as to ensure—(a) easy access to and egress from each main compartment allocated for the accommodation of berthed or unberthed passengers, having regard to the length of such compartment and the number of passengers for whom accommodation is provided therein;(b) easy access at all times to the portions of the weather deck allocated as exercise space for the passengers in the various spaces; and(c) easy access to the spaces above the weather deck appropriated for the use of unberthed passengers or required as muster stations for such passengers in the event of an emergency.(2) Subject to paragraph (3), every stairway leading from below to the weather deck shall be protected in the way of openings in the freeboard and superstructure decks which communicate with spaces allocated for the accommodation of unberthed passengers, by permanent steel deckhouses of not less than 6 feet in clear height or by such other arrangements as are approved by the Director.(3) Subject to the approval of the Director, such a deckhouse shall not be required—(a) where a stairway from below leads into an enclosed superstructure; or(b) in the case of ships engaged exclusively in the river trade area, other than to openings forward of a point distant 1/8th of the ships registered length measured from the stem.(4) In any case where, in accordance with paragraph (3), a deckhouse is not required, substantial guard rails complying with the requirements prescribed in regulation 12 shall be securely fitted in way of the stairway openings.(5) A separate stairway shall be provided for each compartment or space allocated for the accommodation of unberthed passengers.(6) In no case shall the only means of communication with any such compartment or space consist of an opening in a bulkhead that forms part of the sub-division arrangements of the ship unless each such opening is—(a) trunked watertight to the bulkhead deck; and(b) approved by the Director. 14. Stairways (1) No arrangement by which access to the weather deck is by stairways leading into any space not allocated for the accommodation of unberthed passengers will be accepted unless—(a) full particulars with plans of the proposed arrangement have been submitted in accordance with paragraph (2) of regulation 4; and(b) the arrangement has been approved by the Director.(2) Every stairway shall be arranged in a fore and aft direction.(3) The angle of every stairway from the vertical shall be not less than 37o.(4) Every stairway shall have at least 6 feet clear headroom above each stair tread.(5) No stairway shall be less than 30 inches in width.(6) No stairway shall exceed 60 inches in width unless it is fitted with intermediate rails neither less than 30 inches apart nor more than 60 inches apart.(7) For the purposes of paragraphs (5) and (6), the width of every stairway shall be measured on a tread and within the sides unless the handrails encroach on the tread, in which case, the width of the stairway shall be ascertained by measuring the distance between the handrails.(8) Wherever it is practicable—(a) more than one stairway shall be fitted to every compartment or space allocated for the accommodation of passengers;(b) stairways shall be situated as far apart from each other as is practicable at the opposite ends of each such compartment or space.(9) Every stairway shall be constructed of steel, including the frame, thread and risers and shall be—(a) properly secured;(b) sparred on the back; and(c) fitted with handrails consisting of material other than ropes.(10) Where the sides of any stairway is not bounded by bulkheads, an additional rail shall be fitted below each handrail. 15. Landings (1) Landings shall be fitted—(a) within the protecting deckhouses specified in paragraph (2) of regulation 13; and(b) elsewhere where stairways are fitted, at the head of each flight of stairs.(2) Every landing shall be at least as wide as the stairway to which it is fitted and shall be not less than 24 inches in length. 16. Doors and entrances (1) The clear width of every entrance or exit door, hinged or sliding, shall be at least as wide as the stairways or passageway it serves when it is opened to the fullest extent.(2) Every such hinged door shall open outwards.(3) The clear opening of any entrance or exit doorway shall be not less than 30 inches in width.(4) Every door of any entrance or exit doorway shall be fitted with self-closing devices.(5) The Director may exempt any ship from the requirements of this regulation if he is satisfied that the safety of the passengers is not less protected by any other proposed arrangement. 17. Locks and grilles (1) No lock or grille shall be fitted on the outside of any door providing means of egress from any space or compartment allocated for the accommodation of unberthed passengers to any weather deck.(2) In order to prevent the pilferage of cargo stored in any space or compartment not allocated for the carriage of passengers, a strong lock, operable only from the inside, may be fitted to the inside doors providing ingress to and egress from such spaces or compartments.(3) In any ship in which, in order to assist in the suppression of piracy, grilles are fitted to prevent any unauthorized access to any control position on the ship, the doors in such grilles may be locked when the ship is at sea, at the discretion of the master:Provided that—(a) the keys to such doors shall be kept, while the ship is at sea, in a place accessible and known to all officers of the ship; and(b) one officer or other responsible person shall be deputed to open the said doors in the event of any emergency that might cause loss of life to any person other than an act of piracy or attempted piracy. 18. Means of escape (1) Every ship to which these regulations apply, other than those ships engaged exclusively in the river trade area, shall be provided below the bulkhead deck with at least two means of escape from each compartment bounded by watertight bulkheads or similarly restricted space or group of spaces and at least one such means of escape shall be independent of watertight doors.(2) There shall be provided above the bulkhead deck not less than two means of escape from each space bounded by main vertical bulkheads or similarly restricted space or group of spaces; and one such means of escape shall give access to the lifeboat or liferaft embarkation deck or decks or to a stairway leading to such decks.(3) At least one of the means of escape so provided shall be enclosed so as to afford, as far as practicable, continuous fire shelter from the level of its origin to the lifeboat or liferaft embarkation deck or decks.(4) Every ship engaged exclusively in the river trade area shall be provided with two means of escape and such means of escape shall lead to an open deck of sufficient area, having regard to the number of persons which the ship may carry. 19. Means of access and egress in ships engaged in the eastern trade area (1) Subject to the provisions of regulations 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18, every ship to which these regulations apply engaged in the eastern trade area other than a ship engaged exclusively in the river trade area shall be fitted with means of access to and egress from every space or compartment allocated for the accommodation of passengers in accordance with the following minimum requirements—(a) the aggregate width of stairways from each unberthed passenger space shall be not less than 2 inches for every 5 persons accommodated therein; and(b) where any stairway affords access to the weather deck allocated for the use of unberthed passengers accommodated in two spaces, one above the other, the aggregate width of stairways from the upper space shall be not less than 2 inches for every 5 persons accommodated in both spaces.(2) Where any stairway affording access to any weather deck compartment is led into a poop, bridge, forecastle or other similar erection, the aggregate width of the openings in the bulkheads forming the ends of such superstructures shall be not less than the width required for the stairway, with addition thereto of not less than 2 inches for every 5 persons accommodated in the superstructure who are intended to use such openings. 20. Means of access and egress in ships engaged in the river trade area (1) Subject to the provisions of regulations 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18, every ship to which these regulations apply engaged exclusively in the river trade area shall be fitted with means of access to and egress from every space or compartment allocated for the accommodation of passengers in accordance with the following minimum requirements—(a) the aggregate width of every stairway from a between deck passenger space to the space above or to the weather deck shall be not less than 2 inches for every 5 persons accommodated therein; and(b) where any stairway from between decks is led into a compartment in a deckhouse on the weather deck, the aggregate width of the openings from the compartment to the exposed deck shall be not less than the width required for the stairway, with the addition thereto of not less than 2 inches for every 5 persons accommodated in the compartment.(2) Where a doorway serves exclusively a superstructure or deckhouse the aggregate of the clear opening shall be not less than 2 inches for every 5 persons accommodated therein, and shall be not less than 30 inches in width.(3) For the purpose of this regulation, clear opening (無阻開口) means, in respect of stairways or doors, the least width of the space at the opening between its sides or between handrails, if they are fitted to the stairway or door. 21. Ventilation, berthed passenger accommodation (1) In every ship to which these regulations apply the ventilation to every space or compartment allocated for the accommodation of berthed passengers shall be provided by—(a) a trunked mechanical ventilation or other air change system approved by the Director which will maintain the air therein in a state of purity adequate for the health and comfort of the passengers; or(b) a natural ventilation system so designed as to provide an aggregate area of not less than 6 square inches each of inlet and of exhaust for each person for whom the space is appropriated and shall be not less than 19 square inches in all at any point in the system; and the effective area of the inlet and of the exhaust shall be capable of being adjusted from fully open down to a minimum of 3 square inches for each such person.(2) In every ship other than a ship provided with a trunked mechanical ventilation or other air change system, every berthed passenger space other than sanitary accommodation shall be fitted with an electric fan. 22. Ventilation, unberthed passenger accommodation (1) In every ship to which these regulations apply engaged in the eastern trade area or the river trade area, every space or compartment allocated for the accommodation of unberthed passengers shall be fitted with a ventilation system in accordance with this regulation or with regulation 23, so arranged as to ensure—(a) the maximum distribution of fresh air throughout the accommodation;(b) that the ventilation of each unberthed passenger compartment shall be independent of that of all other compartments; and(c) that no inlet ventilator is either screened from the wind in any direction or situated directly over a doorway, stairway or exhaust opening.(2) Any ventilation system required to be fitted pursuant to this regulation shall be fitted notwithstanding the provision of any side scuttle, door, hatchway, skylight or other aperture in any unberthed passenger accommodation not provided solely for ventilation purposes.(3) No ventilator shall be trunked through any watertight sub-division bulkhead; and every ventilator shall be fitted with suitable protection against the risk of fire.(4) Any ventilator shaft constructed solely for the purposes of ventilation may be fitted as an air outlet when serving a compartment ventilated either naturally or mechanically if its coaming extends sufficiently high above the weather as to permit the ventilator to remain open in ordinary weather:Provided that where a non-cowl type of ventilator is fitted in a natural ventilation system as an exhaust ventilator its area shall be at least double that required for a cowl ventilator in the same position.(5) Any unberthed passenger space situated in the uppermost between deck, bridge or other detached superstructure compartment or deckhouse shall be ventilated by—(a) a trunked mechanical ventilation or other air change system fitted in accordance with regulation 23; or(b) a natural ventilation system so arranged as to provide an aggregate area of not less than 10 square inches for each person of the maximum number for which the space may be measured, that is 5 square inches each of inlet and of exhaust ventilation:Provided that where a compartment is abreast the machinery or boiler casings, or immediately above the machinery spaces, the area of each ventilator serving the compartment shall be increased by not less than 50 per centum.(6) Every ventilator cowl shall—(a) be placed in an unobstructed position where it can remain open in ordinary weather and can be trimmed in any direction; and(b) have an area at least 50 per centum greater than that of its coaming.(7) Every ventilator coaming shall—(a) project to the bottom of the beam of the compartment that it serves;(b) be measured at the narrowest part of the air passage; and(c) not exceed 452 square inches in area (24 inches in diameter); and(d) be not less than 78.5 square inches in area (10 inches in diameter).(8) If less than 4 ventilators are fitted to any one compartment, suitable trunks shall be provided to ensure proper distribution of air, except where any such ventilator does not exceed 15 inches in diameter, in which case, such trunking shall not be required.(9) If an odd number of ventilators is fitted, the prescribed inlet and exhaust areas shall be maintained.(10) If any trunking or air passage has a curved bend or knee and the angle does not exceed 30o, no additional area is required to be provided; but for any curved bend or knee of which the angle exceeds 30o, the following additions to the area shall be made—(a) for curved bends of angles ranging between 30o to 60o, 5 per centum additional area for each such curved bend;(b) for curved bends of angles ranging between 60o to 90o, 10 per centum additional area for each such curved bend;(c) for knees of angles ranging between 30o to 60o, 16 per centum additional area for each such knee; and(d) for knees of angles ranging between 60o to 90o, 36 per centum additional area for each such knee.(11) If the radius of the inner side of any curved bend is less than the diameter of the trunk or air passage, the bend shall be regarded as a knee. 23. Mechanical ventilation of unberthed passenger spaces (1) In every ship to which these regulations apply engaged in the eastern trade area, other than a ship engaged exclusively in the river trade area, every space allocated for the accommodation of unberthed passengers situated—(a) below the uppermost between deck; or(b) in a compartment in an upper between deck that is completely covered by a long superstructure,shall be ventilated by a trunked mechanical ventilation or other air change system approved by the Director:Provided that, where such an uppermost between deck space or long superstructure has large openings in the sides of the ship with no means fitted whatsoever of closing the openings, the unberthed passenger compartment in the between deck next below and adjacent to such openings may, subject to the approval of the Director, be regarded as an uppermost between deck and may be exempt from the requirement to be ventilated by a trunked mechanical ventilation or other air change system.(2) The approval, on completion, of any system of mechanical ventilation shall be conditional upon the results of anemometer tests with which the Director is satisfied that the system is efficient.(3) Arrangements shall be made to ensure a sufficient supply of air in the event of a breakdown in any part of a mechanical ventilation system—(a) by interconnecting the air ducts from two or more fans;(b) by providing additional independent means of mechanical ventilation; or(c) by providing spare gear, properly packed for storage, for each size of electric motor employed to operate any trunked mechanical ventilation or other air change system on the following scale—(i) for direct current motors—1 armature1 field coil1 set of bearings1 brush holder1 set of carbon brushes; and(ii) for alternating current motors—1 set of stator windings, complete with insulation pieces1 set of bearings.(4) A trunked mechanical ventilation system, required to be fitted to any space pursuant to this regulation, shall be capable of delivering, under normal sea-going conditions, for each passenger of the maximum number for which the space may measure, at least 830 cubic feet of fresh air per hour.(5) In any space so fitted with mechanical ventilation—(a) the vitiated air shall exhaust direct to the open air; and(b) in the case of any such space situated abreast the machinery or boiler casings or immediately above the machinery spaces, the delivery of fresh air required to be provided pursuant to paragraph (4) shall be increased, in each such case, by 33 per centum. 24. Natural lighting (1) In every ship to which these regulations apply, every space allocated for the accommodation of berthed or unberthed passengers shall be properly lighted by natural light.(2) The natural lighting of any berthed or unberthed passenger cabin, dining or recreation room, sanitary accommodation, galley, hospital, entrance or exit lobby shall be deemed to be proper for the purposes of this regulation if it is sufficient to enable an ordinary newspaper to be read by a person of normal vision at any point in the space, being a point available for free movement, during daytime and in clear weather.(3) The natural lighting of any unberthed passenger accommodation in between decks, bridge spaces and superstructures shall be deemed to be proper for the purposes of this regulation if the provisions made for the direct admission of natural light amounts to at least 1 square inch for every 2 1/2 square feet of the gross passenger area.(4) For the purposes of paragraph (3), natural lighting shall, as far as possible, be evenly distributed; and, in any space where longitudinal bulkheads such as machinery casings exclude natural light, the measure of illumination required in the way thereof shall be determined proportionately.(5) Any side scuttle fitted below the bulkhead deck shall be at least 10 inches in diameter and shall be fitted in accordance with the provisions of the Merchant Shipping (Passenger Ship Construction) Rules from time to time in operation in Hong Kong. 25. Electrical fittings, artificial and emergency lighting (1) In every ship to which these regulations apply other than—(a) any ship engaged exclusively in the river trade area; and(b) any ship of less than 1 000 tons gross engaged in the eastern trade area,all electrical equipment and installation, including the emergency source of electric power, shall be fitted in accordance with the provisions of the Merchant Shipping (Passenger Ship Construction) Rules from time to time in operation in Hong Kong.(2) The exit from every main compartment occupied by passengers shall be continuously lighted by an emergency electric lamp, operated from the ship’s main generating plant and so arranged that power may also be supplied from the emergency source of power.(3) An electric lighting system shall be—(a) provided throughout the ship and, in particular, upon every deck from which lifeboats or liferafts are embarked;(b) operated from the ship’s main generating plant; and(c) so arranged that power may also be supplied from the emergency source of power.(4) In every ship—(a) engaged exclusively in the river trade area; or(b) of less than 1 000 tons gross engaged in the eastern trade area,there shall be—(i) provided in a position above the uppermost continuous deck or raised quarter deck and outside the machinery casings, a self-contained emergency source of electric power, so arranged as to ensure that it will function in the event of a fire or the failure, for some other reason, of the main electrical installation;(ii) installed electric lighting of all alleyways, stairways and exits so as to ensure that access of all persons on board the ship to the launching stations and stowage positions of all lifeboats and liferafts is not impeded; and(iii) installed electric lighting of the launching gear and of the lifeboat and liferaft launching appliances, where provided, and of the lifeboats and liferafts which they serve.(5) The lighting requirements prescribed in subparagraphs (ii) and (iii) of paragraph (4) shall be operated from the ship’s main electric generating plant and, in addition, shall be capable of being operated by the emergency source of electric power.(6) The artificial lighting provided for any berthed or unberthed passenger cabin, dining or recreation room, sanitary accommodation, galley, hospital, entrance or exit lobby shall be deemed to be adequate for the purposes of this regulation if it is at least of the standard required for crew and officer accommodation under the terms of the Merchant Shipping (Crew Accommodation) Regulations from time to time in operation in Hong Kong.(7) The artificial lighting provided from the main electrical installation for any unberthed passenger accommodation in between decks, bridge spaces and superstructures shall be deemed to be adequate for the purposes of this regulation if not less than one lamp, of not less than 40 watts, is provided for every 300 square feet or part thereof of the gross passenger area.(8) Such electric lamps shall be fitted throughout the spaces allocated for the accommodation of passengers with due regard to the efficiency of lighting in the way of stairways and lifejacket lockers and shall be adequately protected by strong glass covers and substantial metal guards.(9) No oil lamp or portable electric lamp shall be fitted. 26. Provision of water-closets (1) In every ship to which these regulations apply—(a) a sufficient number of properly constructed, lighted and ventilated water-closets shall be installed for the separate use of male and female passengers, respectively, of each class of berthed passengers and unberthed passengers and each such water-closet shall be marked accordingly; and(b) a sufficient number of urinals shall be installed in the male water-closet compartments in addition to the number of single water-closet seats or positions required to be installed under subparagraph (a).(2) In addition to the water-closet accommodation required to be installed for berthed passengers of each class and for the crew, there shall be installed in permanent steel deckhouses of at least 6 feet in clear height, or in some other similar arrangement approved by the Director, a sufficient number of permanent water-closets for the exclusive use of unberthed passengers, on the following scale— For 50 passengers or less 2 water-closets For more than 50 passengers and less than 100 3 water-closets For every 100 additional passengers or part thereof 1 water-closet A urinal or additional water-closet shall be provided for every 100 passengers or part thereof. (E.R. 1 of 2024)(3) Such water-closets shall be adequately distributed, having regard to the position of each unberthed passenger space, and shall be situated neither in a between deck nor in a wholly enclosed superstructure.(4) The entrance to every such water-closet shall, if it opens on to an open deck, be properly screened.(5) Every water-closet shall be provided with adequate exhaust ventilation either directly to the open air or to another water-closet or urinal that is provided with exhaust ventilation directly to the open air.(6) For the purposes of paragraph (5), the exhaust ventilation for a water-closet shall be adequate if it is—(a) at least 19 1/2 square inches in area (5 inches in diameter);(b) provided with a cowl, mushroom or other equivalent protection; and(c) situated in the upper part of the water-closet compartment.(7) Every water-closet compartment shall be so constructed as to facilitate the cleaning of it and as not to harbour dirt or vermin;

and the deck of each such water-closet compartment shall be covered in accordance with paragraph (9) of regulation 7 and shall be provided with suitable scuppers of not less than 2 inches in diameter and leading overboard, for the purpose of cleaning.(8) Every water-closet compartment shall be provided with efficient natural and artificial lighting.(9) Every single water-closet seat or position installed for the use of unberthed passengers shall be separated from the other water-closet seats or positions so installed by partitions of steel or other opaque and rigid material and shall be screened by suitable hinged doors.(10) Every water-closet compartment installed for the use of unberthed passengers shall be provided with—(a) single water-closet seats or positions, each with a trapped pan constructed of white vitreous china;(b) adequate sanitary tanks, so arranged as to flush automatically the pan at short intervals and to provide a continuous trickle of water;(c) adequate soil pipes of not less than 4 inches in diameter, so constructed as to facilitate clearing and minimize the risk of obstruction and connected to a main sewerage outfall by an efficient and hygienic system; and(d) adequate footholds and handholds in the way of each water-closet seat or position to prevent accidents to the users thereof.(11) The provisions of this regulation shall not apply to—(a) a water-closet installed in any sanitary accommodation allocated for the use of the occupants of a berthed passenger cabin from which it may be entered directly; or(b) a water-closet forming part of a permanent hospital. 27. Washing accommodation, generally (1) In every ship to which these regulations apply, adequate washing facilities shall be installed in the cabins thereof or in properly constructed, lighted and ventilated bathrooms for the separate use of male and female passengers, respectively, of each class of berthed passenger.(2) Any bathroom not allocated for the use of the occupants of a berthed passenger cabin from which it may be entered directly shall be clearly marked as to the sex and class of the passengers for whose use it is installed. 28. Washing accommodation in ships engaged in the eastern trade area (1) In every ship to which these regulations apply engaged in the eastern trade area, other than a ship engaged exclusively in the river trade area, there shall be installed, in addition to the washing facilities installed for the use of the crew and for berthed passengers and in hospitals, permanent steel deckhouses of at least 6 feet in clear height, fitted out as adequate and proper washing accommodation for the exclusive use of unberthed passengers.(2) The washing accommodation required to be installed under this regulation shall be adequately distributed, having regard to the position of each unberthed passenger space, and shall be situated neither in a between deck nor in a wholly enclosed superstructure.(3) The entrance to every such washing accommodation shall be properly screened.(4) A reasonable proportion of such washing accommodation shall be allocated for the exclusive use of women and children and shall be marked accordingly.(5) The washing accommodation required to be installed under this regulation shall be deemed to be adequate if, for the maximum number of passengers that the ship is certificated to carry or is intended to carry, whichever is the greater, there is provided for this purpose an aggregate deck area of not less than 48 square feet for the first 100 passengers or part thereof, with the addition of 9 square feet for every additional 100 passengers or part thereof.(6) Each such space allocated for use as washing accommodation shall be provided with—(a) adequate inlet and exhaust ventilation fitted in accordance with paragraph (5) of regulation 22;(b) efficient natural and artificial lighting;(c) spring-loaded taps connected to a supply of fresh water under pressure, in a proportion of not less than one tap for every 50 passengers or part thereof;(d) wash-basins constructed of vitreous china or other suitable material having a smooth and impervious surface not likely to crack, flake or become corroded and fitted with waste pipes and efficient drainage overside; and(e) in addition to such taps and basins, at least one springloaded draw-off tap giving a supply of salt water under pressure for the purpose of cleaning each such space.(7) At the discretion of the owner of the ship, showers may be provided in substitution for one half the number of taps and wash-basins required to be installed pursuant to this regulation; in which case, the showers shall be situated in or adjacent to the spaces containing wash-basins and shall be adequately screened by robust and opaque material so as to provide, as far as is practicable, sufficient enclosed space to enable a person to dress and undress in comfort therein.(8) Each washing accommodation space and, where showers are fitted, each shower-place shall be fitted with—(a) efficient drainage overside by means of a suitable scupper of at least 2 inches in diameter; and(b) a deck covering so constructed as to facilitate cleaning and to be installed in accordance with the requirements prescribed in paragraph (9) of regulation 7.(9) Combined washing accommodation and water-closets shall not be installed for the use of unberthed passengers. 29. Washing accommodation in ships engaged in the river trade area (1) In every ship engaged exclusively in the river trade area there shall be provided at least one wash-place for male passengers and at least one wash-place for female passengers.(2) Each wash-place required to be provided under paragraph (1) shall be fitted with at least one wash-basin fitted with a spring-loaded tap connected to a supply of fresh water under pressure.(3) The provisions of this regulation shall not apply to—(a) any sanitary accommodation allocated for the use of the occupants of a berthed passenger cabin from which it may be entered directly; or(b) any such accommodation forming part of a permanent hospital. 30. Galleys (1) In every ship to which these regulations apply, other than a ship engaged exclusively in the river trade area, there shall be installed adequate cooking facilities in permanent steel deckhouses of at least 6 feet in clear height—(a) fitted with cooking ranges and rice boilers adequate for the maximum number of unberthed passengers that the vessel is certificated to carry or is intended to carry, whichever is the greater number; and(b) placed on the weather deck in positions approved by the Director.(2) In any ship in which passengers are carried in between decks in both the fore part and the after part of the ship, two such galleys shall be installed, one each in the fore and after parts of the ship.(3) Such galleys shall be in addition to and separate from the galleys provided for the crew of the ship.(4) The cooking facilities required to be installed pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be deemed to be adequate if there is provided in the galleys intended for the exclusive use of unberthed passengers—(a) an area of range top-plate or boiling table, amounting to at least 10 square feet for the first 250 passengers or part thereof, with the addition of 1 square foot for every additional 75 passengers or part thereof; and(b) boiling or steaming appliances for cooking rice of a capacity of at least 25 gallons for the first 250 passengers or part thereof, with the addition of 2 gallons for every additional 50 passengers or part thereof.(5) Each such galley shall also be fitted with—(a) adequate natural lighting from overhead and, as far as is reasonable and practicable, from all sides;(b) efficient artificial lighting in the way of the cooking range and the food preparing tables;(c) efficient mechanical exhaust ventilation over the cooking range, so designed that fumes from the cooking appliances shall discharge to the open air;(d) ventilation openings with sparred gratings in the side and end bulkheads, fitted with dust-proof hinged steel shutters;(e) sufficient number of dressers, each fitted with a sink constructed of stainless steel or other metal approved by the Director, drained by a waste pipe of at least 2 1/2 inches in diameter and so constructed as to be easily cleaned of sludge or other obstruction;(f) a fresh water spring-loaded tap over each sink, supplied by a small service tank or other suitable arrangement;(g) a serving table and a heavy portable chopping and cutting block;(h) adequate stowage racks for cooking utensils, materials and implements, fitted with storm rails;(i) if the cooking appliances are coal-fired, a dust-tight coal-box fitted close down to the deck with the bottom thereof cemented and fitted with means of filling from outside the galley.(6) No salt water tap shall be fitted over a sink or other place where food is prepared; but a salt water tap may be fitted inside the galley for cleansing purposes, in which case it shall be fitted with a lockable stopcock to prevent it being used in port where the salt water may be foul.(7) The cooking range referred to in paragraph (4) shall—(a) if oil-fired or coal-fired, be fitted with an efficient chimney-pipe, which shall be suitably fitted at bends with inspection plates to facilitate cleaning and which shall allow the escape of smoke from the cooking range to open air;(b) if oil-fired, be supplied by oil fuel supply tanks placed outside the galley, which shall be fitted with a main supply valve operable from the weather deck or other safe position and with efficient filling, ventilating and other overflow arrangements:Provided that no oil flashing below 150° Fahrenheit shall be permitted for use in any such oil-fired galley;(c) if heated by electricity, be fitted with heat variation switches; and(d) be fitted with portable storm rails and bars.(8) All cooking appliances, dressers, tables, boilers and ranges shall be arranged with a 15-inch clearance from the deck to facilitate the cleaning of the galley.(9) The floor of every galley shall be constructed of tiles laid on cement or other suitable material in accordance with paragraph (9) of regulation 7 and shall be fitted with a non-slip surface in working spaces and also a gutter in a suitable position leading to an overside scupper for the purpose of facilitating drainage.(10) The Director may exempt any ship from the provisions of this regulation if the ship is engaged exclusively in the river trade area. 31. Fresh water supply (1) In every ship to which these regulations apply, there shall be fitted an adequate number of fresh water tanks having an aggregate capacity sufficient for the total number of passengers that the ship is certificated to carry or is intended to carry, whichever is the greater number, and for the voyages anticipated.(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1), the total quantity of fresh water required to be carried shall be deemed to be adequate if the minimum capacity of the fresh water storage is sufficient for the consumption of at least 5 gallons of fresh water per day per passenger, exclusive of the water required for boiler purposes and for the crew of the ship.(3) Where facilities referred to in paragraph (1) are available for distilling water on board a ship the total capacity of available fresh water storage tanks may be reduced; but at least half the total quantity required shall be supplied from sources other than the distiller.(4) All fresh water storage tanks shall be clean and watertight and shall, if they are situated adjacent to oil fuel storage tanks, be separated therefrom by a cofferdam to prevent contamination.(5) No fresh water storage tank shall be fitted below a deep tank not used for storing water of similar purity.(6) No piping other than for a fresh water delivery system shall pass through a fresh water storage tank.(7) The internal structure of every fresh water storage or service tank shall be such as to facilitate draining and cleaning thereof.(8) All access manholes to fresh water storage tanks shall be sited clear of any sewerage tank, piping or other source of contamination and shall, if situate on a tank crown, be fitted with raised coamings or spurn waters.(9) Every air pipe and filling pipe to any such tank shall be led well clear of the deck and any other source of contamination.(10) Any pump used for delivering fresh water shall, except in case of emergency, be reserved exclusively for that purpose.(11) There shall be fitted, independent of the main fresh water supply system, an adequate number of drinking water stations, fitted with suitable draw-off taps and suitably distributed, for the use of unberthed passengers.(12) Such drinking fresh water draw-off taps shall be provided in addition to those provided in galleys and in washing accommodation.(13) For the purposes of paragraph (11), the number of drinking water stations shall be deemed to be adequate if there is provided not less than one for every 200 unberthed passengers or part thereof that the ship is certificated to carry or is intended to carry, whichever is the greater number.(14) There shall be fitted to each such drinking water system filtering equipment approved by the Director. 32. Hospitals and dispensaries, generally (1) In every ship to which these regulations apply engaged in voyages of more than 48 hours duration, a properly constructed hospital, separate from the passenger and crew accommodation, shall be provided.(2) A separate dispensary, fitted with lockers, shelves and drawers for medical equipment in accordance with the Merchant Shipping Medical Scales and fitted with a full length settee or examination table, shall be provided adjacent to each hospital.(3) All hospital accommodation shall be situated in one part of the ship so that, if circumstances require it, the entire space of the hospital accommodation may be used for isolation purposes.(4) All hospital accommodation shall contain at least one lavatory, immediately adjacent to and having direct access from the hospital.(5) Where any isolation hospital is provided as part of the hospital accommodation there shall be provided an additional lavatory, separate from that provided for the main hospital, having direct access to any such isolation hospital.(6) All hospitals, dispensaries and adjacent lavatories shall be—(a) constructed within permanently constructed steel erections with a clear height of not less than 7 feet and in accordance with regulation 6 and provided with adequate natural and artificial lighting; and(b) fitted with floor coverings approved by the Director and fitted in accordance with paragraphs (9) and (10) of regulation 7.(7) Every hospital shall be—(a) provided with doors and passages giving access thereto of at least 2 feet 6 inches in width in order to permit the passage of a stretcher;(b) provided with beds of internal dimension of at least 6 feet 3 inches by 2 feet 3 inches and constructed of metal with detachable sides;(c) provided with efficient heating arrangements;(d) fitted so that—(i) mechanical means of ventilation independent of the means of ventilation prescribed in regulation 21 is provided;(ii) the delivery of air shall be at least 1 660 cubic feet per hour for each bed in a hospital; and(iii) natural supply and exhaust ventilation to the open air by means of ventilators independent of ventilators fitted to any other space in the ship shall be provided in addition to the mechanical means; and(e) fitted with an electric fan.(8) The beds in any hospital may be arranged in double tiers if the upper tier is hinged or is removable, and at least one bed in every hospital shall be in single tier and arranged, as far as is practicable, so that it is accessible from both sides and from the foot.(9) Every isolation hospital and adjacent lavatory shall be provided with a mechanical ventilation system, independent of the systems provided for other hospitals and lavatories.(10) Every stairway or ladderway leading to a deck on which a hospital accommodation is situated shall be placed at a suitable angle not less than 37° from the vertical and shall be of a width adequate for the passage of a stretcher.(11) Every lavatory within or serving any hospital accommodation shall be—(a) provided with a wash-basin fitted with running fresh water and an efficient and hygienic discharge system with waste pipes so arranged as to facilitate cleaning;(b) provided with a single water-closet seat with a trapped pan of white vitreous china, with an adequate flush of water always available and an adequate soil pipe so constructed as to facilitate cleaning and minimize the risk of obstruction; and(c) adequately lighted, both naturally and artificially, and ventilated to the open air in accordance with paragraph (5) of regulation 26, except in the case of a lavatory in or serving an isolation hospital: Provided that no lavatory shall be required to be fitted with a wash-basin and running water if this facility is provided inside the hospital to which the lavatory gives direct access.(12) In all hospital accommodation, at least one lavatory shall be provided with a bath or a shower-place, fitted with running fresh water, and every such lavatory shall have fitted to it, at the lowest part of the room, a scupper of at least 2 inches in diameter.(13) Nothing in this regulation shall be deemed to be in conflict with any regulation concerning hospitals, dispensaries and adjacent washing accommodation or sanitary accommodation prescribed in the Merchant Shipping (Crew Accommodation) Regulations in operation in Hong Kong from time to time, where the Director is satisfied that the hospital accommodation is adequate for both the crew and the passengers of the ship. 33. Hospital accommodation for unberthed passengers (1) In every ship to which these regulations apply engaged in the eastern trade area, other than a ship engaged exclusively in the river trade area, hospital accommodation shall be provided—(a) separately for both male and female passengers; and(b) in sufficient volume so that the aggregate deck area of each hospital space, exclusive of any adjacent lavatories, washing accommodation or dispensary shall be not less than 24 square feet for each bed therein.(2) Where the number of unberthed passengers that the ship is certificated to carry or is intended to carry, whichever is the greater—(a) does not exceed 400, there shall be installed not less than four hospital beds;(b) exceeds 400 but does not exceed 600, there shall be installed not less than one hospital bed for every 100 unberthed passengers, or part thereof; and(c) exceeds 600, there shall be installed not less than six hospital beds and at least one additional hospital bed for every 200 unberthed passengers, or part thereof.(3) The total volume of space allocated for hospital accommodation shall be divided and arranged so that—(a) where the number of hospital beds required to be installed is four, the space shall be arranged so that not less than two separate spaces are fitted as hospitals, with not more than two beds in each such space;(b) where the number of hospital beds required to be installed exceeds four but does not exceed ten, the space shall be arranged so that not less than three separate spaces are fitted as hospitals, of which one such space shall be fitted as an isolation hospital;(c) where the number of hospital beds required to be installed exceeds ten, the space shall be arranged so that not less than four separate spaces are fitted as hospitals, of which at least two such spaces shall be fitted as isolation hospitals;(d) where the number of beds required to be installed does not exceed nine, the space fitted as an isolation hospital shall be required to contain only one bed; and(e) where the number of beds required to be installed exceeds nine, the spaces fitted as isolation hospitals shall each be required to contain not less than two beds.(4) In assessing the total volume of hospital accommodation required to be provided in any ship engaged in the eastern trade area and carrying unberthed passengers, an additional hospital bed shall be required to be installed for every 50 members of the crew, or part thereof, if separate hospital accommodation is not provided for members of the crew. (L.N. 386 of 1993) 34. Painting and marking of spaces (1) In every ship to which these regulations apply, the interior sides and crowns of any space or compartment allocated for the accommodation of unberthed passengers shall be finished in a colour the shade of which will not absorb light to any material extent.(2) Bulkheads and ship side boundaries may be painted to a height of 3 feet 6 inches from the deck with paint of a darker colour.(3) The interior painted surfaces of hospitals shall be smooth finished to facilitate cleaning thereof.(4) Each space or compartment allocated for the accommodation of unberthed passengers shall be plainly marked in English in accordance with the passenger certificate for each class of voyage with the clear area in square feet of the space or compartment and also the number of passengers allowed in that space or compartment, the latter figure being plainly marked also in Chinese or any other language appropriate to the nationality of the passengers being carried.(5) All sanitary accommodation and washing accommodation provided for the use of unberthed passengers shall be plainly marked in Chinese or other appropriate language with the sex of the persons for whose use each is reserved.(6) All paints used in passenger accommodation shall be of flame retardent quality and shall be approved by the Director before being used. 35. Measurement of spaces, generally (1) In every ship to which these regulations apply other than a ship engaged exclusively in the river trade area, there shall be provided adequate exercise space on the open decks for all passengers, which shall be protected by awnings and sidescreens if it is not otherwise protected from the direct rays of the sun.(2) Such exercise space shall be provided in addition to that required for use by members of the crew.(3) No measurement for the clear area allocated for exercise spaces for passengers shall include any space on—(a) a forecastle deck;(b) a combined bridge and forecastle; or(c) a complete superstructure,that is situated within 1/8th of the ship’s registered length measured from the stem or that is forward of a breakwater, if fitted to the ship.(4) No measurement for the clear area allocated for either berthing or exercise space for passengers shall include any space—(a) that is less than 2 feet 6 inches in either length or breadth;(b) that has not clear headroom of at least 6 feet;(c) that is abreast any engine or boiler casing or any galley bulkhead that is not effectively insulated; or(d) that is necessary for direct access to and from any space allocated for passenger accommodation, washing or sanitary accommodation, machinery space or any space used for boat lowering equipment.(5) Any measurement for clear area for berthing or exercise spaces shall be made—(a) to the inside of frames, stiffeners, sparring or the inside edge of waterways, whichever is the least;(b) at the admeasurer’s discretion, either geometrically or by Simpsons Rules, in which latter case, the number of breadths shall be taken as suitable to the curvature of the boundaries.(6) In every ship to which these regulations apply, engaged in voyages in the eastern trade area, no measurement for clear area allocated for either accommodation or exercise space for unberthed passengers shall include any space which is—(a) reserved for the exclusive use of a grade of berthed passengers or that is required for the purpose of giving access to any such reserved space;(b) on a boat stowage deck; or(c) necessary for maintaining adequate passageway within such accommodation: Provided that any space beneath a boat which is housed other than on the main boat deck of the ship and so slung as to be at least 6 feet clear of the deck may, at the discretion of the Director, be so included in the measurement of clear area.(7) If any of the space measured for passengers is occupied by cargo, livestock (including fish), cattle, stores or other articles, one passenger shall be deducted from the total number which the ship is certificated to carry for every 12 superficial feet so occupied.(8) When cattle are carried they shall be effectively shut off from the passenger spaces.(9) Exercise space for either passengers or crew shall not be required in ships which are engaged exclusively in the river trade area.(10) The term clear area (暢通面積) used in this regulation shall have the meaning as defined in paragraph (1) of regulation 2, except that in vessels engaged in the river trade area, there shall be allowed for inclusion for measurement as berthing space for unberthed passengers, any hatchway which is securely battened down and covered and which is easily accessible and clear of encumbrances. 36. Exercise space allowances (1) In every ship to which these regulations apply, there shall be provided exercise space in accordance with regulation 35, for the following grades of berthed passengers—(a) first class passengers, at the rate of 36 square feet per person;(b) second and third (including intermediate) class passengers, at the rate of 24 square feet per person.(2) In every ship to which these regulations apply engaged in the eastern trade area, other than a ship engaged exclusively in the river trade area, unberthed passengers, in addition to any other spaces allocated for their use, shall be provided with exercise space in accordance with regulation 35, at the rate of 4 square feet per person.(3) No such exercise space for passengers shall be measured until exercise space, adequate in area, has, in accordance with the Merchant Shipping (Crew Accommodation) Regulations from time to time in operation in Hong Kong, been allowed for the total number of crew:Provided that, in ships to which these regulations apply engaged in the eastern trade area, such space for the crew may be allowed in areas not permitted for passengers by paragraph (2) of regulation 35, and shall be deemed to be adequate if allowed at the rate of 4 square feet per member of the crew. 37. Number of berthed passengers, generally (1) In every ship to which these regulations apply, the number of adult first, second and third (including intermediate) class passengers shall, subject to these regulations, be determined by the number of properly constructed bunks, pullman berths, beds or settees, each of which shall be of internal dimensions of at least 6 feet by 2 feet.(2) There shall be not more than two tiers of bunks or berths in any space or cabin.(3) Where small berths for children are fitted and the owner of the ship requires that such shall be counted and shown on the passenger certificate, every such berth shall be so constructed and arranged that there is no danger of the child being thrown out by the motion of the ship.(4) Not less than 36 square feet clear area shall be allowed for every two such children’s berths and such berths shall be not less than the following dimensions—(a) for children between 1 and 3 years of age, 3 feet 6 inches by 1 foot 4 inches;(b) for children between 3 and 8 years of age, 4 feet 6 inches by 1 foot 6 inches; and(c) for children between 8 and 12 years of age, 5 feet 3 inches by 1 foot 8 inches.(5) Nothing in this regulation shall, in any ship to which these regulations apply engaged on voyages other than in the eastern trade area or river trade area, limit the number of passengers, of any grade or class, berthed in any particular cabin or space:Provided that in the first and second class accommodation there shall be provided, in addition to a berth as required by paragraph (1), a minimum floor area of 24 square feet per person; and for class or grades lower than second class, there shall be provided, in addition to a berth required by paragraph (1), a minimum floor area of 12 square feet and a minimum volume of 72 cubic feet per person. 38. Number of passengers who may be carried within the river trade area (1) In every ship to which these regulations apply engaged exclusively in the river trade area, there shall be allowed for—(a) first class passengers, the number of properly constructed bunks, pullman berths, beds and settees in cabins, each of which shall be of internal dimensions of at least 6 feet by 2 feet; and in addition to the above there may be allowed within the accommodation such as lounges and dining rooms, allocated for the use of saloon and first class passengers, the least number of passengers computed in accordance with the following methods—(i) by seating, according to the number of seats or chairs available; and in the case of continuous settees a length of 24 inches shall be allowed for each passenger;(ii) by floor area, in the proportion of one passenger for each 15 square feet; and(iii) by cubic capacity, in the proportion of one passenger for each 120 cubic feet;(b) second class passengers, in addition to the number of properly constructed bunks, pullman berths, beds or settees of the minimum internal dimensions referred to in subparagraph (a), within cabins containing not more than 4 berths each, other cabins or spaces may be assessed according to the least of the following numbers—(i) the number of berths;(ii) the floor area in square feet (including the space occupied by beds or berths) divided by 12; or(iii) the cubic capacity divided by 84.(2) There shall be direct access to each of the berths or bunks referred to in paragraph (1) and there shall not be more than two tiers of berths in any compartment.(3) The distance between the deck and the lower side of the berth immediately above shall be not less than 15 inches and the distance between the tiers and between the upper tier and the deck above shall be not less than 2 feet 6 inches.(4) In addition to the requirements of subparagraph (b) of paragraph (1), space within public rooms allocated for second class passengers may also be included, the numbers allowed being determined in a manner similar to that indicated for first class public rooms except that the figures in sub-subparagraphs (i), (ii), and (iii) of subparagraph (b) of paragraph (1) shall be taken to be 21, 12 and 84, respectively.(5) Unberthed passengers may be allowed in any compartment otherwise approved for their accommodation, and the maximum number permissible shall be determined by dividing the available clear area in square feet—(a) if on the main deck, by 6; or(b) if on the deck next above the main deck, by 9: Provided that—(c) the number of decks upon which passengers may be carried shall not exceed three, that is, the main deck and the two decks above it; and(d) no area for passengers shall be measured which—(i) does not comply with paragraph (3) of regulation 35; or(ii) is abreast any deckhouse on the deck next above the main deck.(6) The total number of passengers to be allowed on any vessel engaged exclusively in the river trade area shall be subject to any limitation, which in the opinion of the Director, may be necessary having regard to the stability of the vessel. 39. Number of unberthed passengers who may be carried in the eastern trade area (1) In every ship to which these regulations apply engaged on short international voyages in the eastern trade area, other than a voyage in the river trade area, the number of unberthed passengers to be allowed in respect of any compartment allocated for passenger accommodation and fitted in accordance with the provisions of these regulations, and subject to the provision of sufficient exercise space in accordance with regulation 36, shall be determined by dividing the available clear area in square feet of any such compartment, measured in accordance with regulation 35, as follows—(a) in detached superstructures or deckhouses, by 12;(b) in uppermost between decks, by 9; and(c) in lower between decks, by 9.(2) In every ship to which these regulations apply engaged on voyages either not in the eastern trade area, or not being short international voyages or voyages in the river trade area, the number of passengers shall in no case exceed the number of properly constructed separate berths, which shall be—(a) not less than 6 feet by 2 feet in internal dimensions;(b) properly fitted, secured and arranged so that there is direct access to every bunk;(c) arranged so that there are not more than two tiers in any one compartment, and so that the distance between the deck and the lower side of the bunk immediately above it shall be not less than 15 inches nor the distance between the tiers and between the upper tier and the deck less than 2 feet 6 inches; and(d) aligned clear of the compartment sides and inboard of the waterways or scuppers, so as to permit of unrestricted access to the side scuttles. 40. Number of weather deck passengers who may be carried in the eastern trade area (1) In every ship to which these regulations apply, engaged on voyages other than short international voyages in the eastern trade area, no weather deck passenger shall be carried without the special permission of the Director.(2) In every ship to which these regulations apply, engaged on short international voyages in the eastern trade area, weather deck passengers shall be carried only between ports within the following limits, namely, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and the Philippine Islands. (21 of 2024 s. 78)(3) Between the 1st day of June and 14th day of October, both days inclusive, every ship which carries weather deck passengers within the limits referred to in paragraph (2) shall, for the use of such passengers, be provided with a deckhouse or other permanent protection against the weather:Provided that this paragraph shall not apply to voyages between Hong Kong and Swatow, on which run the full number of weather deck passengers may be carried at all seasons of the year without the provision of a deckhouse.(4) Subject to the limitations prescribed in paragraphs (1), (2) and (3), any residue of weather deck clear area remaining, after due exercise space for all passengers and crew has been deducted in accordance with regulations 35 and 36, may be allowed for the carriage of weather deck passengers, in the proportion of 12 square feet per person.(5) For the purposes of this regulation, weather deck passenger (露天甲板乘客) means a passenger carried on the weather deck of a ship to which this regulation applies. 41. Total number of passengers (1) The total number of unberthed passengers allowed in any compartment or space shall be the least number for which there is either area, means of ingress and egress, ventilation or lighting, respectively, as deemed adequate by these regulations.(2) The total number of passengers allowed in any ship to which these regulations apply shall be the least number for which the Director is satisfied that there is provided adequate washing, sanitary or hospital accommodation respectively in accordance with these regulations:Provided that no more passengers shall be carried than are permitted under the Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances) Rules or Merchant Shipping (Radio) Rules, made by the Board of Trade and from time to time in operation in Hong Kong. 42. Limiting draughts (1) Every ship to which these regulations apply shall be marked on both sides with the sub-division load lines as prescribed by the Merchant Shipping (Passenger Ship Construction) Rules from time to time in operation in Hong Kong.(2) Every ship to which the Simla Rules from time to time in operation in Hong Kong apply engaged in the eastern trade area and carrying unberthed passengers within the area to which the Simla Rules apply shall be marked with the sub-division load lines assigned in accordance with such Rules.(3) In no case shall any such ship be so loaded as to submerge the load line appropriate to the season and locality, as determined by the load line certificate issued in accordance with the Load Line Rules. 43. Passenger ships of unusual design The Director may exempt any ship of unusual design from the requirements of any of these regulations, to the extent that he is satisfied that accommodation or facilities equal to or superior in standard to those required by these regulations, are available for the use of passengers of any class or grade.