Section 18 in The Merchant Shipping (Crew Accommodation) Rules, 1960
18. Furniture and fittings in sleeping rooms.
(1)In every ship to which these rules apply, every sleeping room for ratings other than petty officers shall be provided with the following equipment :-(a)for each person accommodated in the room :-(i)One drawer having a capacity of at least 0.056 cubic meters;(ii)One clothes locker or wardrobe, in either case at least 1.68 meters in height and 2032.25 sq. centimetres in internal area; the locker or wardrobe shall be fitted with a shelf not less than 23 centimetres and not more than 38.10 centimetres below its top and with fittings on which the clothes may be hung;(iii)At least one coat hook in addition to any coat hooks fitted in a locker or wardrobe;(b)A table of fixed or drop leaf type or a desk, or a sliding leaf or top fitted to a chest of drawers;(c)Comfortable seats sufficient to accommodate at one time all the persons accommodated in the room. Such seats shall be provided in addition to the beds in the room. The Central Government may exempt any passenger ship from the requirements of this clause to the extent that it is satisfied that a lesser number of seats in adequate in the circumstances;(d)A mirror suitable for toilet purposes;(e)A cabinet suitable for containing toilet requisites;(f)A book rack;(g)A runner of jute, coir or other suitable material at one side of each be or tier of beds, as the case may be;(h)A curtain fitted to each bed, unless the room accommodates only one person; and(i)A curtain fitted to each side scuttle, unless the side scuttle is fitted with blinds or jalousies.(2)Sub-rule (1) shall apply to sleeping rooms for petty officers at it applies to sleeping rooms for other ratings, subject to the following modifications and additions :-(a)For each person accommodated in the room a second drawer having a capacity of at least 0.056 cubic meters shall be provided in addition to the drawer referred to in clause (a) of sub-rule (1).(b)The clothes, lockers or wardrobes provided shall be made of hardwood.(c)Each room shall be provided with :-(i)a rack suitable for holding :-(a)one drinking water bottle; and(b)one tumbler for each person accommodated in the rooms.The rack may be fitted inside the cabinet for toilet requisites. Provided that a rack for holding a drinking water bottle shall not be required in any room in which supply of drinking water is laid on;(ii)a wash basin of vitreous china or other equally hygienic and durable material, which shall be fitted with an efficient and hygienic discharge overside or to an enclosed tank with a suction pipe served by a mechanically operated pump provided that a wash-basin shall not be required to be fitted in a sleeping room for petty officers if washing accommodation is readily accessible from the sleeping room.(3)In every sleeping room in which more than one petty officer or other rating is accommodated, every drawer, locker and wardrobe shall be fitted with a secure lock or hasp for a padlock. In every sleeping room in which only one petty officer or other rating is accommodated the locker or wardrobe shall be fitted with such a lock or hasp.(4)subject to the provisions of sub-rule (5) every sleeping room or officers shall be provided with the following equipment :-(a)For each officer accommodated n the room--(i)at least three drawers with a total capacity of 0.28 cubic metres or as near thereto as is practicable in the circumstances;(ii)a wardrobe at least 1.68 metres in height and 2967.74 sq. centimetres in internal sectional area:(iii)at least two coat hooks, in addition to any coast hooks fitted in the wardrobe;(b)A writing desk fitted, if practicable, with drawers additional to the aforesaid drawers.(c)A chair with arm rests;(d)A settee at least 1.83 metres in length or as near thereto as may be practicable in the circumstances, provided that the Central Government may permit the settee to be dispensed with-(i)if it is satisfied that a settee of adequate dimensions cannot be placed in the room without interfering with the comfort of the occupants; or(ii)in the case of a room which accommodates only one officer, if the Central Government has consulted such organizations as appears to it to be representative of the class of officer concerned and is satisfied that a fully upholstered easy chair with closed arms is provided in the room;(e)A mirror suitable for toilet purposes;(f)A cabinet suitable for containing toilet requisites;(g)A rack suitable for holding "(i)one drinking water bottle, and(ii)one tumbler for each officer accommodated in the room.The rack may be fitted inside the cabinet for toilet requisites. Provided that a rack for holding a drinking water bottle shall not be required in any room in which a supply of drinking water is laid on;(h)A wash-basin of vitreous china or other equally hygienic and durable material, which shall be fitted with an efficient and hygienic discharge or to an enclosed tank with a suction pipe served by a mechanically operated pump; provided that a wash basin shall not be required to be fitted in a sleeping room if washing accommodation is readily accessible therefrom;(i)A splash plate or other means of protection for the wall above the was basin, if any;(j)A carpet runner of wool or similar material;(k)Curtains fitted to each bed, unless t he room accommodates only one officer;(l)Curtains fitted to each side scuttle, unless the side scuttle is fitted with blinds or jalousies;(m)A book case n any room which accommodates a Chief officer, Chief Engineer or Second Engineer, or in the case of a passenger ship a First Radio Officer: and(n)A book case or book rack in rooms which accommodate other officer.The Central Government may exempt any ship of under 400 tons from any of the requirements of clauses (a) and (b) and clauses (k) to (n) inclusive, of this sub-rule to the extent that it is satisfied that compliance therewith is unreasonable or impracticable in the circumstances.(5)Any of the equipment referred to in clauses (b), (c), (d), (m) and (n) of sub-rule (4) of this rule may be provided in a day room available for the sole use of the officers concerned, instead of in their sleeping rooms. Any of the equipment referred to in clauses. (k) to (i) inclusive, of the said sub-rule may be provided in washing accommodation appropriated for the exclusive use of one officer instead of in the sleeping room of that officer.(6)Sleeping rooms for apprentices shall, so far as in reasonable and practicable in the circumstances, be provided with the equipment (other than a book case) referred to in sub-rule (4) of this rule. Provided that any of the equipment referred to in clauses (b), (c) and (d) of the said sub-rule may be provided in a study for the sole use of the apprentices instead of in their sleeping rooms.(7)[Subject to the foregoing provisions of this rule, all lockers, wardrobes, tables, desks, the un-uph olsterd parts of chairs and settees and similar furnishings provided in compliance with this rule shall be made of polished hardwood rustproof metal or other smooth and impervious material not likely to crack, warp or become corroded. All furniture provided in sleeping rooms shall be so made as not to be likely to harbour vermin readily removable for cleaning purposes.] [Substituted by G.S.R. 61 dated 6th December, 1967]
