The Merchant Shipping (Cargo Ship Construction) Regulations 1997

General

27.—(1) In every ship the machinery, boilers and other pressure vessels, and associated piping systems and fittings, shall be of a design and construction adequate for the service for which they are intended and shall be so installed and protected as to reduce to a minimum any danger to persons on board, due regard being paid to moving parts, hot surfaces and other hazards. The design shall have regard to the materials used in construction, the purpose for which the equipment is intended, the working conditions to which it will be subjected and the environmental conditions on board.

Additional requirements for ships constructed on or after 1st September 1984

(2) Where the arrangements of the main propulsion machinery are unconventional the Secretary of State may require a separate source of propulsion power to be provided sufficient to give the ship a navigable speed.

(3) Means shall be provided whereby the normal operation of propulsion machinery can be sustained or restored when there is a breakdown of—

(a) a generating set which serves as a main source of electrical power;

(b) the source of steam supply;

(c) the boiler feed water system;

(d) the fuel oil supply systems for boilers or engines;

(e) the sources of lubricating oil pressure;

(f) the sources of water pressure;

(g) a condensate pump and the arrangements to maintain vacuum in condensers;

(h) the mechanical air supply for boilers;

(i) an air compressor and receiver for starting or control purposes; and

(j) the hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical means for control of main propulsion machinery including controllable pitch propellers;

or any other auxiliary system essential for propulsion.

• The Certifying Authority may for the purposes of this paragraph, if it is safe so to do, permit a partial reduction in propulsion capability from normal operation.

(4) Main propulsion machinery and all auxiliary machinery essential to the propulsion and the safety of the ship shall be designed to operate when the ship is upright and when inclined at any angle of list up to and including 15 degrees either way under static conditions and 22.5 degrees either way under dynamic conditions (rolling) and simultaneously inclined dynamically (pitching) 7.5 degrees by bow or stern. The Certifying Authority may permit a reduction in these angles taking into consideration the type, size and service conditions of the ship.

(5) Access shall be provided to facilitate the cleaning, inspection and maintenance of main propulsion and auxiliary machinery including boilers and pressure vessels.