The Merchant Shipping (Passenger Ship Construction: Ships of Classes III to VI(A)) Regulations 1998

Protection against noise Requirements for ships constructed on or after 1st September 1984

62.—(1) (a) Measures shall be taken to reduce noise levels in machinery spaces as far as is reasonable and practicable.

(b) On completion of a ship, noise levels in machinery spaces shall be measured when the largest number of machines that operate simultaneously in service are working at their normal service loads.

(c) Measurements taken during sea trials at the maximum ahead service speed of the ship will be acceptable as providing the necessary figures.

(d) The equipment and procedures for measuring and recording noise levels in machinery spaces shall generally be in accordance with the provisions of the publication “The Code of Practice for Noise Levels in Ships” published by Her Majesty’s Stationery Office (published 1978).

(2) Noise levels in machinery spaces shall not exceed 110 dB(A) provided that under such conditions as may be specified, higher noise levels may be permitted, having regard to the size of ship and the type of machinery installed.

(3) Any machinery space in which the noise level exceeds 90 dB(A) and which is required to be manned shall be provided with a designated refuge from noise.

(4) Every entrance to a machinery space in which the noise level exceeds 85 dB(A) shall be provided with a warning notice comprising a symbol complying with British Standards Institution specification number BS 5378:1980 and a supplementary sign stating “High Noise Levels—Use Ear Protectors.” Sufficient ear protectors shall be provided for use in such spaces.