Merchant Shipping Act 1894

Berths.

(4) There shall not be more than two tiers of berths on any one deck. The interval between the floor of berths and the deck immediately beneath it shall not be less than six inches. The interval between each tier of berths and between the uppermost tier and the deck above it shall not be less than two feet six inches.

(5) The berths shall be securely constructed and of dimensions not less than six feet in length and eighteen inches in breadth for each statute adult, and shall be sufficient in number for the proper accommodation of all the steerage passengers contained in the lists of passengers by this Act required to be delivered by the master of the ship.

(6) No part of any berth shall be placed within nine inches of any watercloset erected in the between-decks.

(7) All male steerage passengers of the age of fourteen years and upwards (except those who occupy berths with their wives) shall to the satisfaction of the emigration officer at the port of clearance be berthed in the fore part of the ship in a compartment divided off from the space appropriated to the other steerage passengers by a substantial and well-secured bulkhead without opening into or communicating with any adjoining steerage passenger's berth, or, if the ship is fitted with enclosed berths, in separate rooms.

(8) Not more than one steerage passenger, except in the case of husband and wife, or females, or children under the age of twelve years, shall be placed in or occupy the same berth.

(9) Berths occupied by steerage passengers during the voyage shall not be taken down until forty-eight hours after the arrival of the ship at the port of final discharge, unless all the steerage passengers have voluntarily quitted the ship before the expiration of that time. The master of the ship shall alone be liable to a fine for breach of this regulation.