Section 20 in The Merchant Shipping (Crew Accommodation) Rules, 1960
20. Furniture and Fittings in Mess Rooms.
(1)Every mess room forming part of the crew accommodation in a ship to which these rules apply, shall be provided with sufficient tables to allow a space of at least [50.80 centimetres] [Substituted by G.S.R. 1390 dated 6th December, 1974]measured along the edge of a table, for each person likely to use the room at anyone time. Each table shall be at test 61.00 centimetres wide if seats are provided on both sides of the table, and at least [38.10 centimetres] [Substituted by G.S.R. 61, dated 6th January, 1974] wide if seats are provided only on one side of the table. The table shall be of such size and so situated as to be readily accessible.(2)Single chairs shall be provided in the mess room for each person using the room at any one time. Such chairs shall be fitted with arm rests unless chairs with arm rests are available in a recreation room for the persons using the mess room. Provided the settees may be substituted for chairs adjacent to a bulkhead or the ship's side. Such settees shall be at least [38.10 centimetres] [Substituted by G.S.R. 61, dated 6th January, 1974] wide and shall be fitted with upholstered or padded seats covered with material impervious to dirt and moisture and shall be provided with comfortably shaped backs. If the mess room is appropriated for use by offices or petty offices whether or not together with other ratings, the backs of the settees shall also be padded or upholstered and shall be covered with material impervious to dirt and moisture.(3)Every mess room provided for persons who do not provide their own food shall be fitted with either :-(a)a storage locker or rack in either case capable of holding sufficient mess utensils for those persons, or(b)a storage locker at least [38.10 centimetres] [Substituted by G.S.R. 61, dated 6th January, 1974] by [38.10 centimetres] [Substituted by G.S.R. 61, dated 6th January, 1974] by [38.5 centimetres] [Substituted by G.S.R. 61, dated 6th January, 1974] in size for each of those persons.Every mess room provided for persons who provide their own food shall be fitted with a storage locker for each person which shall be of sufficient size to be capable of containing his mess utensils together with a supply of food sufficient for him for at least 7 days. All storage lockers, provided in compliance with this sub-rule shall be adequately ventilated, and all storage lockers provided for one person shall be fitted with a lock or hasp for a padlock, and shall be so fixed as to clear the floor by at least [38.5 centimetres] [Substituted by G.S.R. 61, dated 6th January, 1974].Provided that the lockers or racks may be fitted in pantry, store room or other suitable place outside a mess rooms and readily accessible therefrom. No lockers or racks, being lockers or racks intended to contain food, shall be fitted in a sleeping room, not being a sleeping room combined with a mess room.(4)A dresser, hot press, sink and boiler or other means from which boiling drinking water shall always be available shall be fitted in each mess room unless such equipment is fitted in each mess room unless such equipment is fitted in a pantry readily accessible from the mess room or, in the case of a ship of under 1,000 tons in a galley. Such equipment shall be adequate in size for the number of persons likely to use the room at any one time. If in the case of a mess room provide for officers or petty officers the dresser is fitted in a pantry, a side hoard shall be provided in the mess room. A supply of fresh water shall be laid on the sink and boiler. The Central Government may exempt :-(a)any ship of under 1,000 tons from the requirement of a hot-press;(b)any ship of under 500 tons from any of the requirements of this sub-rule.(5)All tables, lockers, dress and un-upholstered parts of chairs and settees in the mess room 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 the mess room shall be so made as not to be likely to harbour vermin.(6)the Central Government may exempt any passenger ship form the requirements of this rules to the extent that it is satisfied that compliance therewith is unreasonable or impracticable in the circumstances.
