Guidance

MSN 1844 (M) Amendment 1 Maritime Labour Convention, 2006: crew accommodation

Published 26 August 2026

Summary

This Merchant Shipping Notice (MSN) imposes obligations on UK ships, and non-UK ships without Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) Certificates in UK waters.

This relates to the following:

• new ships built after the MLC Minimum Requirements Regulations (MRR) came into force must comply with the standards of crew accommodation set out in this notice

• substantial alterations to crew accommodation on ships built before the MLC MRR come into force must also comply with these standards

• detailed requirements such as:

  • general matters
  • divisions within the ship
  • interior bulkheads
  • floor decks
  • lighting
  • ventilation
  • drainage
  • sleeping rooms
  • beds
  • mess rooms
  • furniture and fittings in sleeping and mess rooms
  • recreation spaces
  • offices
  • sanitary accommodation
  • drinking water
  • fresh water
  • facilities for washing and drying clothes
  • galleys
  • store rooms
  • refrigerating equipment
  • hospitals
  • medical cabinet

• protection from mosquitoes and maintenance and inspection of crew accommodation

• requirements relating to cleanliness, maintenance, inspection and the recording of inspections

Relationship with Part 7 of the Merchant Shipping (MLC) (Minimum Requirements for seafarers etc.) Regulations 2014

Part 7 of the MLC Regulations 2014 needs to be read in conjunction with this MSN, as the notice sets out the requirements referred to in the 2014 Regulations. Failure to comply with these requirements is a criminal offence.

Amendment 1 updates reference information only.

1. Introduction

1.1 Part 7 of the Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) (Minimum Requirements for seafarers etc.) Regulations 2014 implement in to UK law Regulation 3.1 of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006).

It requires that ships comply with the requirements for crew accommodation as set out in this MSN. Any failure to comply with this notice is an offence by the shipowner.

1.2 For ships constructed, or substantially reconstructed or altered on or after July 1997, but before the MLC MRR come into force, the requirements relating to ship construction and equipment that are set out in the Merchant Shipping (Crew Accommodation) Regulations 1997 (SI 1997/1508) will continue to apply.

1.3 For ships constructed before 11 July 1997, and not substantially reconstructed or altered after that, the requirements relating to ship construction and equipment that are set out in the Merchant Shipping (Crew Accommodation) Regulations 1978 (SI 1978/795) will continue to apply. These regulations have been revoked, but a copy of the 1978 Statutory Instrument (SI) and the two SIs which amend it are published on legislation.gov.uk.

They can be found at:

• Merchant Shipping (Crew Accommodation) Regulations 1978 (SI 1978/795)

• The Merchant Shipping (Crew Accommodation) (Amendment) Regulations 1984 (SI 1984/41)

• The Merchant Shipping (Crew Accommodation) (Amendment) Regulations 1989 (SI 1989/184)

1.5 The date of construction of a ship is normally the date on which the keel is laid. If the ship has no keel, it is the date on which the ship reaches a similar stage of construction.

2. General

1. 2.1 All parts of the crew accommodation except store rooms must:

   1. (a) wherever practicable be situated amidships or aft; but in no case may any part of the crew accommodation, except a store room be situated forward of the collision bulkhead; and

   2. (b) be situated wholly above the Summer Load Line (if any) marked on the ship in accordance with the provisions of rules made or treated as made under the Merchant Shipping Act (Load Line) Regulations 1998.

1. 2.2 The crew accommodation must be so situated, constructed and arranged as to exclude so far as reasonably practicable:

   1. (a) noise coming from other parts of the ship; and

   2. (b) noise coming from other parts of the crew accommodation.

2.3 Sleeping rooms forming part of the crew accommodation of a passenger ship must not be situated immediately beneath a working passageway.

1. 2.4 Any bulkhead, casing or deck separating a sleeping room from:

   1. (a) a machinery space;

   2. (b) a mess room;

   3. (c) a recreation room;

   4. (d) a room in which films or television are shown;

   5. (e) a games room; and

   6. (f) a public room;

2. must be acoustically insulated in a way which will prevent the occupants of that sleeping room from being disturbed by excessive noise from that space or room.

2.5 All parts of the crew accommodation except cold store rooms, must have a clear headroom of at least 203 centimetres at every point where free movement is necessary, but a reduction in headroom in any space or part of a space in such accommodation may be permitted if it is reasonable to do so and such reduction will not result in discomfort to the crew.

2.6 With the exception of hospitals on passenger ships, no part of the crew accommodation may be shared with passengers or used by or for the benefit of passengers.

2.7 Inside panelling in the crew accommodation must be constructed of a material suitable for the purpose and conducive to ensuring a healthy environment.

2.8 The crew accommodation must be so situated, constructed and arranged as to ensure the exclusion from the crew accommodation of effluvia originating in other spaces in the ship.

1. 2.9 The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) (acting on behalf of the Secretary of State) may issue:

   1. a) exemptions from the standards set out in this notice, where provided for in Standard A3.1 of the MLC (regulation 31 of the MLC MRR); and

   2. b) approvals for substantially equivalent arrangements (regulation 32 of the MLC MRR).

2.10 In either case in 2.9 above, application should be made to the MCA. If agreed, any exemption or approval will be given in writing, may be subject to conditions, and may be altered or cancelled with notice being given to the shipowner. Standards to which exemptions are permitted are set out in the following sections.

1. 2.11 Ships of less than 200 gross tonnage may be exempted after consultation with the shipowners’ and seafarers’ organisations, where it is reasonable to do so, taking into account the size of the ship and the number of persons on board in relation to the requirements of the following parts of this MSN:

   1. (a) paragraphs 7.1 and 20.1 to 20.4; and

   2. (b) paragraph 11 with respect to floor area only.

2.12 In some cases, ships need to account for the differing and distinctive religious and social practices of seafarers, without discrimination. Where this applies, the MCA may permit fairly applied variations, after consultation with the shipowners’ and seafarers’ organisations concerned, including the Chamber of Shipping and seafarer Unions. Any such variations must not result in overall facilities that are less favourable for seafarers.

3. Divisions between the crew accommodation and other parts of the ship

3.1 Bulkheads which enclose any part of the crew accommodation and are exposed to the weather must be properly constructed of steel or other suitable material and must be of watertight construction; any openings in them must be provided with means of a weathertight closure. The means of a weathertight closure for any entrance must be a hinged door.

3.2 Bulkheads which enclose any part of the crew accommodation and are exposed to the weather, and any part of the side of the ship which forms a wall or part of a wall of the crew accommodation; must be so insulated as to prevent overheating or condensation unless the crew accommodation is so protected by its situation and ventilation that overheating and condensation are unlikely to occur.

3.3 Every bulkhead, casing or deck separating any part of the crew accommodation from any space (including a cold store room) which is subject to abnormal heat or cold must be so insulated as to prevent condensation or discomfort to the crew.

1. 3.4 Every bulkhead which separates any part of the crew accommodation (other than recreation deck space) from a space used as:

   1. (a) a machinery space;

   2. (b) a bunker;

   3. (c) a room for storing fire extinguishing gases;

   4. (d) a chain locker;

   5. (e) a cofferdam;

   6. (f) a cargo space;

   7. (g) a store room;

   8. (h) a lamp room or a paint room;

   9. (i) a battery locker;

2. must be of gas-tight construction, and must be of watertight construction where necessary to protect the crew accommodation.

3.5 There must be no opening in any of the bulkheads referred to in paragraph 3.4. An exception of this is where sanitary accommodation or changing rooms provided for the exclusive use of engine room officers and rating are sited adjacent to the propelling machinery space. In this case, there may be an opening in the propelling machinery space bulkhead to the sanitary accommodation or changing rooms. There may also be an opening from the sanitary accommodation to a passageway forming part of the crew accommodation, provided that a hinged, steel self-closing gas-tight door is fitted to one of such openings.

3.6 No batteries of any type which emit gases must be stored in the crew accommodation and there must be no opening from the crew accommodation into a space where such batteries are stored. Precautions must be taken to ensure that fumes from batteries cannot be discharged into the crew accommodation.

3.7 No manhole or other opening to a fuel tank must be situated in the crew accommodation.

4. Interior bulkheads

4.1 All bulkheads within the crew accommodation must be properly constructed of steel or other suitable material.

1. 4.2 Subject to sub-paragraph (c):

   1. (a) Every bulkhead which separates any part of crew accommodation from:

      1. (i ) sanitary accommodation;

      2. (ii) a laundry;

      3. (iii) a drying room;

      4. (iv) a galley;

      5. (v) a cold store room;

      6. (vi) a dry provision store room;

      must be of gas-tight construction, and

   2. (b) Every bulkhead which separates any part of the crew accommodation from any of the spaces specified in subparagraphs (a)(i) to (v) inclusive must be watertight to a height of not less than 23 centimetres, except in the case of doorways situated in bulkheads when the bulkheads must be watertight to a height of not less than 10 centimetres;

   3. (c) The requirements of sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) do not apply to bulkheads separating:

      1. (i) spaces that are used for the same purpose;

      2. (ii) a laundry from a drying room;

      3. (iii) a private bathroom from the sleeping room if there is direct access from the sleeping room to the private bathroom.

4.3 There must be no openings in any bulkhead separating any sanitary accommodation, laundry or drying room from any part of the crew accommodation except a passageway, recreation deck space or other sanitary accommodation, laundry or drying room; nor in a bulkhead separating a galley from a sleeping room.

5. Floor decks

5.1 Every floor deck which forms the floor of any part of the crew accommodation (called a “floor deck”) must be properly constructed. If it is directly over an oil tank or permanent coal bunker it must be oil-tight or gas-tight respectively. Every floor deck must have a surface which provides a good foothold and can be easily kept clean. Any floor covering must be impervious to water and if the deck is directly over an oil tank, impervious to oil.

5.2 Every floor deck made of metal, except floor decks in sanitary accommodation, galleys, laundries and store rooms, must be covered with material suitable to its purpose. The material must be laid properly and the joins where the floor meets the walls must be rounded in such a way as to avoid crevices.

5.3 Every floor deck in sanitary accommodation, galleys and laundries must be covered with terrazzo tiles or other hard material which is impervious to liquids and provides a good foothold. The covering must be properly laid and joins where the floor meets the walls must be rounded in such a way as to avoid crevices.

6. Pipes in crew accommodation

6.1 Hawse pipes must not pass through crew accommodation.

7. Heating

1. 7.1 Except in ships employed solely within the Tropics or the Gulfs area, all sleeping rooms, mess rooms, day rooms, recreation rooms, rooms for watching films and television, hobbies and games rooms, offices, studies, sanitary accommodation and hospitals must be installed with a main heating system capable of ensuring that:

   1. (a) the ventilation system provided for the room or crew accommodation is working so as to supply at least 25 cubic metres of fresh air per hour for each person which the room or crew accommodation is designed to accommodate at any one time; and

   2. (b) the temperature of the ambient air is -1 degrees Celsius;

2. the temperature in the room or crew accommodation can be maintained at 21 degrees Celsius.

7.2 The main heating system must be operated by either steam, hot water or electricity, or must be a system which supplies warm air.

7.3 Means for turning on or off or varying the heat emitted by a radiator or other heating device without using a tool or key must be provided, wherever reasonably practicable, in the space in which that radiator or other device is fitted. All heating equipment must be constructed so that its operation is not affected by the use or non use of propelling machinery, steering gear, deck machinery, calorifiers or cooking appliances.

1. 7.4 Subject to paragraph (a) below, crew accommodation must be heated by means of the main heating system at all times when any members of the crew are living or working on board and the circumstances are such that heating is required.

   1. (a) Heating by means of the main heating system need not be provided when the vessel is in port if such parts of the crew accommodation as are then in use are provided with a safe and efficient temporary means of heating capable of ensuring the standard required by paragraph 7.1.

7.5 Heating equipment must be so constructed and installed, and if necessary shielded, as to avoid risk of fire or of danger of discomfort to the crew.

8. Lighting

8.1 In passenger ships all parts of the crew accommodation, except galleys, pantries, laundries, drying room, lockers, private and semi-private bathrooms and store rooms, must wherever reasonably practicable be adequately lit by natural light.

1. 8.2 In all other ships other than passenger ships:

   1. (a) subject to paragraph (b) below, all parts of the crew accommodation except galleys, pantries, laundries, drying room, lockers, private and semi-private bathrooms and store rooms must be adequately lit by natural light; and

   2. (b) sanitary accommodation and passageways must wherever practicable be adequately lit by natural light.

8.3 An electric lighting system must be installed which is capable of supplying adequate light in all parts of the crew accommodation. Electric lights must be so arranged as to give maximum benefit to the crew and must include an electric reading lamp for each bed with a controlling switch at the head of the bed.

9. Ventilation

9.1 Every enclosed space in the crew accommodation, except a cold store room, must 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 crew. This must be the case in all conditions of weather and climate in which the ship is likely to encounter during the voyages on which she is intended to be engaged, and capable of being controlled as necessary for that purpose.

1. 9.2 Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph 9.1:

   1. (a) in all foreign-going ships of 1,000 tons or over except those regularly engaged in latitudes north of latitude 50˚ North or south of latitude 45˚ South; and

   2. (b) in all ships of under 1,000 tons regularly engaged on voyages solely within the area of the Tropics or the Gulfs area; the ventilation system provided for every enclosed space in the crew accommodation except a cold store or a galley must be an air conditioning system which must be designed:

      1. (i) to maintain the air at a satisfactory temperature and relative humidity as compared with the outside air conditions, and to ensure a sufficiency of air changes in all air-conditioned spaces; and

      2. (ii) to take account of the particular characteristics of operations at sea and not produce objectionable noises and vibrations.

9.3 In ships provided with an air-conditioning system, sanitary accommodation, laundries, drying rooms, changing rooms and pantries must be provided with mechanical exhaust ventilation capable of ensuring rates of air changes sufficient for the type of accommodation for which it is provided.

9.4 In every ship of 3,000 tons or over, every sidescuttle must be at least 300 millimetres in diameter.

10. Drainage

1. 10.1 The crew accommodation must have efficient drainage. In particular:

   1. (a) drainage pipes and channels must be provided wherever necessary to clear water shipped from the sea; and

   2. (b) in order to preclude effluvia from the crew accommodation, the soil and other waste water drainage system must be so arranged and fitted with such water seals, air vents and storm valves as are necessary to prevent siphonage or blow-back.

10.2 Each space in the sanitary accommodation (except private bathrooms) and each laundry must be served by one or more scuppers which do not serve any space other than sanitary accommodation or another laundry.

10.3 There must be no drainage into sanitary accommodation from any source outside that accommodation except other sanitary accommodation.

11. Sleeping rooms

1. 11.1 When sleeping accommodation on board ships is required, the following requirements for sleeping rooms apply:

   1. (a) in ships other than passenger ships, an individual sleeping room must be provided for each seafarer. In the case of ships less than 3,000 gross tonnage or special-purpose ships, exemptions from this requirement may be granted after consultation with the shipowners’ and seafarers’ organisations concerned;

   2. (b) in single berth seafarers’ sleeping rooms the floor area should be not less than:

      1. (i) 4.5 square metres in ships of less than 3,000 gross tonnage;

      2. (ii) 5.5 square metres in ships of 3,000 gross tonnage or over but less than 10,000 gross tonnage;

      3. (iii) 7 square metres in ships of 10,000 gross tonnage or over.

11.2 However, in order to provide single berth sleeping rooms on ships of less than 3,000 gross tonnage, passenger ships and special purpose ships, a reduced floor area may be permitted.

11.3 In ships of less than 3,000 gross tonnage other than passenger ships and special purpose ships, sleeping rooms may be occupied by a maximum of two seafarers; the floor area of such sleeping rooms must not be less than 7 square metres.

1. 11.4 On passenger ships and special-purpose ships, the floor area of sleeping rooms for seafarers not performing the duties of ships’ officer must be not less than:

   1. (i) 7.5 square metres in rooms accommodating two persons;

   2. (ii) 11.5 square metres in rooms accommodating three persons;

   3. (iii) 14.5 square metres in rooms accommodating four persons.

11.5 On special-purpose ships sleeping rooms may accommodate more than four persons. The floor area of such sleeping rooms must not be less than 3.6 square metres per person.

11.6 In the case of seafarers performing the duty of petty officers, there should be not more than two persons per sleeping room.

11.7 On passenger ships and special-purpose ships for seafarers performing the duties of ships’ officers where no private sitting room or day room is provided, the floor area per-person of sleeping rooms, must be; for junior officers not be less than 7.5 square metres and for senior officers not less than 8.5 square metres; junior officers are understood to be at operational level and senior officers at the management level.

1. 11.8 On ships other than passenger ships and special purpose ships, the floor area per-person of sleeping rooms for seafarers’ who perform the duties of ships’ officers, where no private sitting room or day room is provided, must be not less than:

   1. (i) 7.5 square metres in ships of less than 3,000 gross tonnage;

   2. (ii) 8.5 square metres in less of 3,000 gross tonnage or over but less than 10,000 gross tonnage;

   3. (iii) 10 square metres in ships of 10,000 gross tonnage or over.

11.9 The master, the chief engineer and the chief navigating officer must have, in addition to their sleeping rooms, an adjoining sitting room, day room or equivalent additional space; ships of less than 3,000 gross tonnage may be exempted from this requirement after consultation with the shipowners’ and seafarers’ organisations.

11.10 In determining the floor area of a room for the purpose of this regulation, spaces occupied by berths, lockers, seats or chests of drawers and other furniture must be included in the measurement of the floor area but spaces which by reason of their small size or irregular shape cannot accommodate furniture and do not contribute to the area available for free movement must not be so included.

11.11 Where sleeping rooms are shared, separate sleeping rooms must be provided for male and female persons.

12. Beds

12.1 Every sleeping room must be fitted with a bed for each person accommodated in the room.

12.2 Beds must not be fitted fore and aft along the ships’ side unless the size of the room is such that it would be impracticable to fit them elsewhere. Where beds are fitted along the ships’ side, they must be in single-tier, except in a room where there is no sidescuttle fitted or in which any sidescuttle fitted is fitted clear of the beds.

12.3 The minimum inside dimension of beds must be adequate to accommodate mattresses of a size not less than 198 centimetres by 80 centimetres.

1. 12.4 Every bed must be fitted with either:

   1. (a) a spring bottom or spring under-mattress and a top mattress of a material which will resist damp and is unlikely to harbour vermin; or

   2. (b) a suitable resilient mattress on a suitably ventilated base.

12.5 Leeboards or lee-rails must be fitted to the upper berth of every double tier bed.

12.6 Where a double-tier bed is fitted a suitable portable ladder must be supplied for access to the upper berth. The ladder must be so constructed that it hooks on to the lee rail to prevent any slipping when in use. Suitable provision must be made for its safe stowage when not in use.

13. Furniture and fittings in sleeping rooms

13.1 Every sleeping room must be so planned and equipped as to ensure reasonable comfort for the occupants and to facilitate tidiness.

13.2 For each occupant, the furniture must include a clothes locker of ample space (minimum 475 litres) and a drawer or equivalent space of not less than 56 litres. If the drawer is incorporated in the clothes locker then the combined minimum volume of the clothes locker must be 500 litres; it must be fitted with a shelf and be able to be locked by the occupant so as to ensure privacy.

13.3 Each sleeping room must be provided with a table or desk, which may be of the fixed, drop-leaf or slide-out type, and with comfortable seating accommodation.

13.4 Sleeping rooms must be fitted with curtains or equivalent for the sidelights.

13.5 Sleeping rooms must be fitted with a mirror, small cabinets for toilet requisites, a book rack and a sufficient number of coat hooks.

13.6 With the exception of passenger ships, each sleeping room must be provided with a washbasin having hot and cold running fresh water, except where a private bathroom with such a washbasin is provided.

14. Mess Rooms

14.1 Unless the circumstances are such that no members of the crew are required to mess on board, mess rooms must be provided for the crew; each mess room must be large enough to accommodate the greatest number of persons likely to use it at any one time.

14.2 Mess rooms must be located away from sleeping rooms and as close as practicable to the galley. Ships of less than 3000 gross tonnage may be exempted from this requirement after consultation with the shipowners’ and seafarers’ organisations concerned.

14.3 Mess rooms should be of adequate size and comfort and properly furnished and equipped (including ongoing facilities for refreshment), taking account of the number of seafarers likely to use them at any one time.

14.4 Mess room facilities may be either common or separate. The decision in this respect should be taken after consultation with seafarers’ and shipowners’ representatives and subject to the agreement of the MCA. Account should be taken of factors such as the size of the ship and the distinctive cultural, religious and social needs of the seafarers.

1. 14.5 Where separate mess room facilities are to be provided to seafarers, then separate mess rooms must be provided for:

   1. (a) master and officers; and

   2. (b) petty officers and other seafarers.

14.6 On ships other than passenger ships, the floor area of mess rooms for seafarers should be not less than 1.5 square metres per person of the planned seating capacity.

15. Furniture and fittings in mess rooms

15.1 In all ships, mess rooms should be equipped with tables, appropriate seats, fixed or moveable, sufficient to accommodate the greatest number of seafarers likely to use them at any one time.

15.2 Every mess room provided for persons who do not provide their own food must be provided with adequate stowage space for mess utensils in a sideboard, dresser or in separate lockers.

1. 15.3 Every mess room provided for persons who do provide their own food must be fitted with a stowage locker for each person likely to use the room. Each such stowage locker must be:

   1. (i) large enough to contain one person’s mess utensils and supply of food;

   2. (ii) fitted with a secure lock or hasp for a padlock;

   3. (iii) so fitted as to be clear of the floor by at least 300 millimetres; and

   4. (iv) adequately ventilated.

2. Lockers provided in pursuance of this paragraph may be fitted together in the mess room or in a suitable place readily accessible from it.

1. 15.4 The following must be available at all times when seafarers are on board:

   1. (a) a refrigerator, which must be conveniently situated and of sufficient capacity for the number of persons using the mess room or mess rooms;

   2. (b) facilities for hot beverages; and

   3. (c) cool water facilities.

15.5 Where available pantries are not accessible to mess rooms, adequate lockers for mess utensils and proper facilities for washing utensils must be provided.

16. Recreation spaces

16.1 Recreation rooms, conveniently situated and appropriately furnished, must be provided for officers and ratings. Where these are not provided separately from the mess rooms the latter must be planned, furnished and equipped to give recreational facilities. Furnishings for recreation accommodation must as a minimum include a bookcase and facilities for reading, writing and where practicable, for games.

16.2 Appropriate seafarers’ recreational facilities, amenities and services, as adapted to meet the special needs of seafarers who must live and work on ships, must be provided on board for the benefit of all seafarers, taking into account provisions on health and safety protection and accident prevention.

16.3 In every ship, deck space permanently reserved for the use of the crew for recreational purposes must be provided on an open deck. The space must be adequate in area having regard to the number of persons in the crew and the size of the ship.

17. Offices

17.1 All ships must be provided with separate offices or common ship’s office for use by deck and engineering departments; ships of less than 3,000 gross tonnage may be exempted from this requirement after consultation with the shipowners’ and seafarers’ organisations concerned.

18. Sanitary accommodation

1. 18.1 The following private and semi-private bathrooms, ie., a bathroom provided for the exclusive use of two persons, must be provided for officers:

   1. (a) in ships of 5,000 tons, or over but less than 15,000 tons at least 5 officers’ sleeping rooms must be provided with adjoining private bathrooms for the use of the officers occupying those sleeping rooms;

   2. (b) in ships of 15,000 tons or over every officer’s sleeping room must be provided with an adjoining private bathroom for the use of the officer using that sleeping room;

   3. (c) without prejudice to (a) in ships of 10,000 tons or over but less than 15,000 tons, every officer’s sleeping room which is not provided with an adjoining private bathroom must have a semi-private bathroom appropriated to it; (guidance on semiprivate bathrooms for officers may be found in paragraph 14 of MGN 481 (M) Crew Accommodation and supplementary guidance.

18.2 In ships of 25,000 tons or over, other than passenger ships, every rating’s sleeping room which is not provided with a private bathroom must have a semi-private bathroom appropriated to it. These semi-private bathrooms must not be shared by petty officers and other ratings.

18.3 All seafarers must have convenient access on the ship to sanitary facilities meeting minimum standards of health and hygiene and reasonable standards of comfort, with separate sanitary facilities being provided for men and women.

18.4 In all ships, a minimum of one toilet, one wash basin and one tub or shower (or both) for every six persons or less who do not have personal facilities must be provided at a convenient location.

18.5 Every bath and shower must be provided with a handrail, grating or mat. Except in private or semi-private bathrooms the showers must be provided with kerbs and individual drainage.

18.6 Hot and cold fresh running water must be available in all wash places.

18.7 The hot water must be at a constant temperature of at least 66 degrees Celsius and must be heated by thermostatically controlled calorifiers of adequate capacity or by some equally safe and efficient means.

1. 18.8 Every shower must be provided with an anti-scalding mixing valve which must be set in such a way that the temperature of the shower water can be varied by the person using it to any temperature between the ambient temperature and a temperature of at least:

   1. (i) in the case of a thermostatically controlled mixing valve, 38 degrees Celsius but not more than 43 degrees Celsius; or

   2. (ii) in the case of any other mixing valve, 38 degrees Celsius but not more than 38 degrees Celsius.

18.9 All sanitary spaces must have ventilation to the open air, independently of any other part of the accommodation.

1. 18.10 Every water closet must be provided with the following:

   1. (a) (i) a water closet pedestal of a single type with a pan of white vitreous china or other suitable material;

      1. (ii) a hinged seat of a suitable hard smooth impervious material;

      2. (iii) a trap with a metal inspection plate; and

      3. (iv) an efficient ventilator connected to the outlet;

   2. (b) an adequate flush of water which must always be available and supplied through selfclosing non-concussive supply valves with a portable seating of metal which is not likely to become corroded.

18.11 Where water closets specified in paragraph 18.10 would be unsuitable for use by some members of the crew because of distinctive national habits or customs, then they may be suitably adapted, or other suitable closets must be provided for those members of the crew. This is provided that the sanitary accommodation does not result in overall facilities less favourable than those which would result from the application of paragraph 18.10.

1. 18.12 In ships of 1,600 tons or over the following additional sanitary accommodation must be provided:

   1. (a) a separate room containing a water closet and a washbasin easily accessible from the navigating bridge for the use of those working in that area;

   2. (b) a separate room containing a water closet and a washbasin within or near to the engine room control compartment or, in ships not fitted with such a compartment within easy access of the propelling machinery space;

   3. (c) a separate room containing a water closet and a washbasin easily accessible from the galley for the use of those working in that area; and

   4. (d) except in ships in which single-berth sleeping rooms and private or semi-private bathrooms are provided for the use of all engine room personnel, washing accommodation fitted with showers, washbasins and mirrors in sufficient number having regard to the number of such personnel not provided with single-berth sleeping rooms and private or semi-private bathrooms situated in a place outside but conveniently close to the propelling machinery space.

19. Supply of drinking water and fresh water

19.1 Cold drinking water for the purposes of drinking, cooking and dishwashing must be laid on to taps in galleys, bars and pantries and in the case of any mess room provided for members of the crew for whom no pantry is provided, a tap to the mess room.

19.2 The tanks from which the drinking water and the fresh water laid on to the washbasins, baths and showers is supplied and any plant installed on board ship from which drinking water and/or fresh water is produced must be of a capacity to ensure an adequate supply of such water at all times for all members of the crew, provided that as a minimum the tanks must be sufficient to provide at least two days’ supply of such water.

19.3 Where drinking water and/or fresh water is produced by plant on board the water so produced must be treated by suitable automatic means of disinfection.

20. Washing/Drying Facilities

20.1 In all ships, except where due to the nature of the service the crew are not accommodated overnight, facilities for washing, drying and ironing clothes must be provided for officers and ratings. These must be on a scale appropriate to the size of the crew and the normal duration of the voyage. These facilities must, wherever possible, be located within easy reach of their accommodation and arrangements must be made to ensure separate availability of the facilities to officers and ratings.

1. 20.2 The facilities to be provided must include:

   1. (a) suitable sinks and washing machines which may be installed in wash rooms if provision of a separate laundry facility is not reasonably practicable, with an adequate supply of hot and cold fresh water or by means of heating water;

   2. (b) drying machines and adequately heated and ventilated drying rooms unless drying machines are of a type which dry clothes completely; and

   3. (c) electric irons and ironing boards or their equivalent.

20.3 Adequately ventilated compartments or lockers for use solely for hanging oilskins and other working clothes must be provided in a place outside but conveniently near to the sleeping rooms. Separate compartments or lockers must be provided for officers and ratings.

20.4 Where washing accommodation is provided in accordance with paragraph 18(12)(d), such accommodation must be provided with a clothes locker for each member of the engine room department not provided with a single-berth sleeping room and a private or a semi-private bathroom. Clothes lockers so provided must comply with the requirements of paragraph 20.3 in respect of lockers for working clothes.

21. Galleys

21.1 Except in ships in which no member of the crew will be required to mess on board, a galley suitably positioned clear of working areas and situated as close as practicable to the mess rooms must be provided for the preparation of food for the crew.

21.2 Every galley must be provided with all equipment necessary to enable food in sufficient quantity to be properly and readily prepared for all persons whom the galley is intended to serve, and to be served hot to them in the mess room in all weathers.

21.3 Every galley must be provided with facilities for washing up. Hot fresh water and cold drinking water must be laid on to any sink or other washing up facility in the galley. In ships of 3,000 tons or over there must, in addition, be provided a washbasin supplied with hot and cold fresh water.

21.4 The ventilation in the galley must be so arranged as to ensure an adequate supply of fresh air and the efficient discharge of fumes into the open air.

22. Dry provision store rooms

22.1 In every ship, except one in which each member of the crew provides his own food, one or more store rooms must be provided for the storage of provisions for the crew. The rooms must be fitted with sufficient shelves, cupboards and bins having regard to the maximum period likely to elapse between successive replenishment of stores and to the maximum number of persons for whom food is to be provided. Shelves, cupboards and bins must be so constructed as to enable them to be effectively cleaned.

22.2 Access to every dry provision store room must be obtained from a passageway, galley, pantry or other dry provision store room.

23. Cold store rooms and refrigerating equipment

1. 23.1 Subject to paragraph 22.2:

   1. (a) in every foreign going ship of 1,000 tons or over, cold store rooms must be provided for the storage of perishable provisions;

   2. (b) in every foreign going ship of under 1,000 tons and in every home trade ship, there must be provided for the storage of perishable provisions for the crew either cold store rooms or adequate alternative cold store room facilities:

   3. (c) if the door to such a room or facility opens into any part of the crew accommodation, the door must be of steel, gas-tight and self-closing.

23.2 A red warning light outside every cold store room or group of cold store rooms must be included in the lighting circuit of each such room or groups of rooms. Every cold store room must be fitted with an internal means of sounding an external alarm and with a means of releasing the door fastenings from the inside.

24. Hospitals

24.1 Ships carrying 15 or more seafarers and engaged on voyages of more than three days duration must provide separate hospital accommodation to be used exclusively for medical purposes. Vessels that remain within 60 miles of the coast are not bound by this. The hospital accommodation, must be easy to access in all weathers, provide comfortable housing for the occupants and be conducive to their receiving prompt and proper attention.

1. 24.2 Every hospital, whether permanent or temporary, must be situated so that it is as quiet and comfortable as possible and is readily accessible in all weathers:

   1. (a) from the sleeping room of a member of the crew who is, and is employed as, a duly qualified doctor or nurse; and

   2. (b) if no such doctor or nurse is carried, from the master’s accommodation.

24.3 At least one bed in every permanent hospital must be a single-tier bed and must, wherever practicable, be placed so that it is accessible from both sides and from the foot.

25. Medical cabinet

1. 25.1 A cabinet or other suitable facility for storing medicines and other medical stores, which the ship is required by regulations made under Section 85 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 to carry for the crew, must be well ventilated and fitted in the crew area of the ship which is:

   1. (a) is always dry;

   2. (b) is readily accessible from (but not sited in) the permanent or temporary hospital; and

   3. (c) is not subject to abnormal heat.

1. 25.2 Where a medical cabinet is required it must be provided with the following:

   1. (a) an outer door with an efficient lock;

   2. (b) where controlled drugs are to be stored, an inner cupboard fitted with a door and a lock which cannot be opened by the same key as the lock to the outer door;

   3. (c) suitable arrangements for the storage of these medicines, medical stores and associated measuring devices all as required by the regulations referred to in paragraph 25(1); and

   4. (d) a dispensing counter with a surface that can be easily kept clean.

26. Protection from mosquitoes

26.1 Ships regularly trading in mosquito infested ports must be fitted with the appropriate devices as required by the competent authority.

27. Cleaning, maintenance and inspection of crew accommodation

27.1 The crew accommodation must be maintained in a clean and habitable condition and all equipment and installations must be maintained in good working order.

27.2 Every part of the crew accommodation, except store rooms, must be kept free from stores and other property not belonging to or provided for the use of persons for whom that part of the accommodation is appropriated, and in particular no cargo must be kept in any part of the crew accommodation.

27.3 The requirements for inspection, and the recording of such inspections, are set out in regulation 29.

28. More information

Verification and Audit Team
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Bay 2/22
Spring Place
105 Commercial Road
Southampton
SO15 1EG

Telephone: +44 (0)203 81 72000

Email: mlc@mcga.gov.uk

Website: www.gov.uk/mca

Please note that all addresses and telephone numbers are correct at time of publishing.