Part B
Watertight And Weathertight Openings
5 Hatchways
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5.1 A hatchway, which gives access to spaces below the weather deck shall be of effective construction and be provided with efficient means of weathertight closure.
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5.2 A cover to a hatchway shall be hinged, sliding, or permanently secured by other equivalent means to the structure of the vessel and be provided with sufficient locking devices to enable it to be positively secured in both the open and closed positions.
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5.3 A hatchway with a hinged cover which is located in the forward portion of the vessel shall normally have the hinges fitted to the forward side of the hatch, as protection of the opening from boarding sea.
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5.4 Hatches, which are identified as forming part of a means of escape shall be capable of being opened from both sides.
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5.5 Hatches, which are required to be kept closed for safety reasons when the vessel is at sea shall have prominent “keep closed” warning notices attached to the vessel structure on both sides.
6 Hatches which are open at sea
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6.1 Where operational needs exist for specified hatches to be open at sea for lengthy periods, these hatches shall be—
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.1 kept as small as practicable, but never more than 1m² in plane area at the top of the coaming;
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.2 located at the centre line of the vessel or as close thereto as practicable and compatible with the proper working of the vessel; and
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.3 fitted such that the access opening is at least 300mm (12 inches) above the top of the adjacent weather deck at the side of the vessel.
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6.2 Spaces fitted with hatches which are open at sea for lengthy periods shall be provided with means for pumping out the affected space.
7 Doorways located above the weather deck
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7.1 A doorway opening onto the weather deck which, gives access to spaces below shall be provided with a weathertight door. The door shall be of efficient construction, permanently attached to the bulkhead, not open inwards, and sized such that the door overlaps the clear opening on all sides, and has efficient means of closure which can be operated from both sides. It shall be of equivalent strength to the structure in which it is fitted.
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7.2 A doorway shall be located as close as practicable to the centre line of the vessel. However, where hinged and located in the side of a deckhouse, the door shall be hinged on the forward edge.
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7.3 A doorway, which is either forward or side facing, shall be provided with a coaming, the top of which is at least 150mm (6 inches) above the weather deck. A coaming may be portable provided it is permanently secured to the structure of the vessel and can be locked in position.
8 Companion hatch openings
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8.1 A companion hatch opening from a cockpit or recess, which gives access to spaces below the weather deck shall be fitted with a coaming, the top of which is at least 300mm (12 inches) above the sole of the cockpit or recess.
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8.2 When washboards are used to close a vertical opening they shall be so arranged and fitted that they will not become accidentally dislodged.
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8.3 The breadth of the opening of a companion hatch shall not exceed 1m (39 inches).
9 Skylights
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9.1 A skylight on the weather deck, which gives access to spaces below, shall be fitted with a coaming, the top of which is at least 150mm (6 inches) above the deck.
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9.2 A skylight shall be of efficient weathertight construction and shall be located on the centre line of the vessel, or as near thereto as practicable. It may be further offset where necessary to provide a means of escape from a compartment below deck.
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9.3 When a skylight is an opening type, it shall be provided with efficient means whereby it can be secured in the closed position from both sides.
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9.3 In a new vessel, a skylight, which is provided as a means of escape shall be capable of being opened from both sides.
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9.4 Unless the glazing material and its method of fixing in the frame is equivalent in strength to that required for the structure in which it is fitted, a portable “blank” shall be provided which can be efficiently secured in place in event of breakage of the glazing. The blank shall be permanently located close to the skylight that it serves and shall be of suitable material and strength to the satisfaction of the Administration.
10 Portlights and Windows
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10.1 A portlight or window shall be fitted in a position so that its sill is not less than 610mm (24 inches) above the load waterline.
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10.2 A portlight or window to a space below the weather deck or in a step, recess, raised deck structure, deckhouse or superstructure protecting openings leading below the weather deck shall be constructed to provide weathertight integrity, and be of strength compatible with size of the portlight or window, and the intended area of operation of the vessel. Glass and other glazing material used in windows shall be of a material that will not break into dangerous fragments if fractured.
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10.3 Each window, port hole and its means of attachment to the hull or deck house shall be capable of withstanding the maximum load from wave and wind conditions expected due to its location on the vessel and the authorised operating area of the vessel.
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10.4 In a new vessel, a portlight or window shall not be fitted in the main hull below the weather deck, unless the glazing material and its method of fixing in the frame are equivalent in strength to that required for the structure in which it is fitted.
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10.5 In a new vessel, an opening portlight shall not be provided to a space situated below the weather deck.
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10.6 In a new vessel or in an existing vessel where a portlight or window is replaced, portlights, windows and their frames shall meet the requirements of ISO 12216 – Windows, portlights, hatches, deadlights and doors – strength and tightness requirements, or equivalent standard. This standard is recommended for existing vessels.
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10.7 In an existing vessel certified for operation in exposed waters, a portlight, fitted below the weather deck and not provided with an attached deadlight shall be provided with a “blank”, the number of blanks, shall be sufficient for at least half of the number of such portlights of each different size in the vessel, which can be efficiently secured in place in the event of breakage of the portlight. The blank shall be of suitable material and strength to the satisfaction of the Administration. Such a “blank” is not required for a non-opening portlight, which satisfies the requirements of II/10.3.
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10.8 An opening portlight shall not exceed 250mm (10 inches) in diameter or equivalent area.
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10.9 In an existing vessel classed for operation in exposed waters, a window fitted in the main hull below the weather deck, shall meet the requirements of II/10.3, or be provided with a blank meeting the requirements of II/10.7.
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10.10 For the wheelhouse—
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.1 Windows and other openings at the operating station shall be of sufficient size and properly located to provide an adequate view for safe navigation in all operating conditions;
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.2 windows and their frames shall meet the requirements of ISO 12216 (see II/10.6) or equivalent standard, having due regard to the increased thickness of windows comprising one or more laminations in order to achieve equivalent strength;
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.3 polarised or tinted glass shall not be used in windows provided for navigational visibility, although portable tinted screens may be provided for these windows; and
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.4 when a vessel is expected to operate in severe weather, relative to the size of the vessel, efficient storm shutters shall be provided for all front and side facing windows.
11 Ventilators
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11.1 A ventilator shall be of efficient construction and be provided with a permanently attached means of weathertight closure.
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11.2 A ventilator shall be kept as far inboard as practicable and the height above the deck of the ventilator opening shall be sufficient to prevent the admission of water when the vessel is heeled.
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11.3 The Administration may permit the fitting of a ventilator which must be kept open, e.g. for the supply of air to machinery or for the discharge of noxious or flammable gases, provided that it is demonstrated with reference II/11.2 that downflooding will not occur via the ventilator in any foreseeable situation.