INSPECTION OF VESSELS 121 



of the lower tier of berths and the deck beneath them shall not be 

 less than six inches, nor the interval between each tier of berths, 

 and the interval between the uppermost tier and the deck above it 

 less than two feet, six inches; and each berth shall be occupied by 

 not more than one passenger over eight years of age; but double 

 berths of twice the above-mentioned width may be provided, each 

 double berth to be occupied by no more and by none other than two 

 women, or by one woman and two children under the age of eight 

 years, or by husband and wife, or by a man and two of his own chil- 

 dren under the age of eight years, or by two men personally acquainted 

 with each other. All the male passengers upwards of fourteen years 

 of age who do not occupy berths with their wives shall be berthed 

 in the fore part, of the vessel, in a compartment divided off from the 

 space or spaces appropriated to the other passengers by a substantial 

 and well-secured bulkhead. Unmarried female passengers shall be 

 berthed in a compartment separated from the spaces occupied by other 

 passengers by a substantial and well-constructed bulkhead, the open- 

 mg or communication from which to an adjoining passenger space 

 shall be so constructed that it can be closed and secured. Families 

 shall not be separated except with their consent. Each berth shall 

 be numbered serially, on the outside berth board, according to the 

 number of passengers that may lawfully occupy the berth; and the 

 berths occupied by such passengers shall not be removed or taken 

 down until the expiration of twelve hours from the time of entry, 

 unless previously inspected within a shorter period. For any viola- 

 tion of either of the pro^^sions of this section the master of the vessel 

 shall be liable to a fine of $5 for each passenger carried or brought 

 on the vessel. 



Light, air, and accommodations, passengers 



46 U.S.C. 153 



Every such steamship or other vessel shall have adequate provi- 

 sions for affording light and air to the passenger decks and to the 

 compartments and spaces occupied by such passengers, and with 

 adequate means and appliances for ventilating the said compartments 

 and spaces. To compartments having sufficient space for fifty or 

 more of such passengers at least two ventilators, each not less than 

 twelve inches in diameter, shall be provided, one of which venti- 

 lators shall be inserted in the forward part of the compartment and 

 the other in the after part thereof, and shall be so constructed as to 

 ventilate the compartment; and additional ventilators shall be 

 provided for each compartment in the proportion of two ventilators 

 tor each additional fifty of such passengers carried or brought in 

 the compartment. All ventilators shall be carried at least six feet 

 above the uppermost deck of the vessel and shall be of the most ap- 

 proved form and construction. In any steamship the ventilating 

 apparatus provided, or any method of ventilation adopted thereon, 

 which has been approved by the proper emigration officers at the port 

 or place from w^hich said vessel was cleared, shall be deemed a com- 

 pliance with the foregoing provisions; and in all vessels carrying or 

 bringing such passengers there shall be properly constructed hatch- 

 ways over the compartments or spaces occupied by such passengers, 



