Commission Directive 2010/36/EUShow full title

15 Openings in the shell plating below the margin line (R 17)

NEW CLASS B, C AND D AND EXISTING CLASS B SHIPS:

.1 The number of openings in the shell plating shall be reduced to the minimum compatible with the design and proper working of the ship.

.2.1 The arrangement and efficiency of the means for closing any opening in the shell plating shall be consistent with its intended purpose and the position in which it is fitted.

.2.2 Subject to the requirements of the International Convention of the Load Line in force, no side scuttles shall be fitted in such a position that its sill is below a line drawn parallel to the bulkhead deck at side and having its lowest point 2,5 % of the breadth of the ship above the deepest subdivision load line, or 500 mm, whichever is the greater.

.2.3 All side scuttles the sills of which are below the margin line shall be of such construction as will effectively prevent any person opening them without the consent of the master of the ship.

.2.4 Where in a between-deck, the sills of any of the sidescuttles referred to in paragraph .2.3 are below a line drawn parallel to the bulkhead deck at side and having its lowest point 1,4 metres plus 2,5 % of the breadth of the ship above the water when the ship departs from any port, all the sidescuttles in that between-deck shall be closed watertight and locked before the ship leaves port, and they shall not be opened before the ship arrives at the next port. In the application of this paragraph the appropriate allowance for fresh water may be made when applicable.

.2.5 Sidescuttles and their deadlights which will not be accessible during navigation shall be closed and secured before the ship leaves port.

.3 The number of scuppers, sanitary discharges and other similar openings in the shell plating shall be reduced to the minimum either by making each discharge serve for as many as possible of the sanitary and other pipes, or in any other satisfactory manner.

.4 All inlets and discharges in the shell plating shall be fitted with efficient and accessible arrangements for preventing the accidental admission of water into the ship.

.4.1 Subject to the requirements of the International Convention on Load Lines in force, and except as provided in paragraph .5, each separate discharge led through the shell plating from spaces below the margin line shall be provided with either one automatic nonreturn valve fitted with a positive means of closing it from above the bulkhead deck or with two automatic nonreturn valves without positive means of closing, provided that the inboard valve is situated above the deepest subdivision load line and is always accessible for examination under service conditions.

Where a valve with positive means of closing is fitted, the operating position above the bulkhead deck shall always be readily accessible and means shall be provided for indicating whether the valve is open or closed.

.4.2 The requirements of the International Convention on Load Lines in force shall apply to discharges led through the shell plating from spaces above the margin line.

.5 Machinery space main and auxiliary sea inlets and discharges in connection with the operation of machinery shall be fitted with readily accessible valves between the pipes and the shell plating or between the pipes and fabricated boxes attached to the shell plating. The valves may be controlled locally and shall be provided with indicators showing whether they are open or closed.

NEW CLASS B, C AND D SHIPS:

.1 The handwheels or handles of the sea cocks shall be easily accessible for operation. All valves which are used as seacocks shall close by clockwise movement of their handwheels.

.2 Discharge taps or valves on the side of the ship for blow-off water from boilers shall be located in easily accessible locations and not beneath deck plating. Taps or valves shall be so designed that it is easy to see whether they are open or closed. Taps shall be provided with safety screens, so designed that the key cannot be lifted off when the tap is open.

.3 All valves and taps in pipe systems such as bilge and ballast systems, fuel oil and lubricating oil systems, fire extinguishing and sluicing systems, cooling water and sanitary systems, etc. shall be clearly marked as to their functions.

.4 Other outlet pipes shall, if they emerge below the deepest subdivision load line, be provided with equivalent means of shut-off on the side of the ship; if they emerge above the deepest subdivision load line, they shall be provided with an ordinary storm valve. In both cases the valves may be omitted if pipes are used of the same thickness as the plating indirect outlets from toilets and wash-basins, and floor outlets from washrooms etc. provided with deadlights or otherwise protected against water shock. The wall thickness of such pipes need not, however, be greater than 14 mm.

.5 If a valve with a direct closing mechanism is fitted, the place from which it may be operated shall always be easily accessible, and there shall be a means of indicating whether the valve is open or closed.

.6 When valves with direct closing mechanisms are placed in machinery spaces, it is sufficient that they be operable from where they are located, provided that this place is easily accessible under all conditions.

.6 All shell fittings and valves required by this Regulation shall be of steel, bronze or other approved ductile material. Valves of ordinary cast iron or similar material are not acceptable. All pipes to which this Regulation refers shall be of steel or other equivalent material to the satisfaction of the Administration of the flag State.

.7 Gangway, and cargo ports fitted below the margin line shall be of sufficient strength. They shall be effectively closed and secured watertight before the ship leaves port, and shall be kept closed during navigation.

.8 Such ports shall in no case be so fitted as to have their lowest point below the deepest subdivision load line.