SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA ^^-^ 



(i) In ships 165 feet (or 50 metres) and under 200 feet (or 61 metres) in 

 length a double bottom shall be fitted at least from the machinery 

 space to the forepeak bulkhead, or as near thereto as practicable. 



(ii) In ships 200 feet (or 61 metres) and under 249 feet (or 76 metres) in 

 length a double bottom shall be fitted at least outside the machinery 

 space, and shall extend to the fore and after peak bulkheads, or as 

 near thereto as practicable. 



(iii) In ships 249 feet (or 76 metres) in length and upwards a double 

 bottom shall be fitted amidships, and shall extend to the fore and 

 after peak bulkheads, or as near thereto as practicable. 



(b) Where a double bottom is required to be fitted its depth shall be to 

 the satisfaction of the Administration and the inner bottom shall be continued 

 out to the ship's sides in such a manner as to protect the bottom to the turn 

 of the bilge. Such protection will be deemed satisfactory if the line of inter- 

 section of the outer edge of the margin plate with the bilge plating is not 

 lower at any part than a horizontal plane passing through the point of 

 intersection with the frame line amidships of a transverse diagonal line 

 inclined at 25 degrees to the base line and cutting it at a point one-half the 

 ship's moulded breadth from the middle line. 



(c) Small wells constructed in the double bottom in connection with 

 drainage arrangements of holds, &c., shall not extend downwards more than 

 necessary. The depth of the well shall in no case be more than the depth 

 less 18 inches (or 457 millimetres) of the double bottom at the centreline, 

 nor shall the well extend below the horizontal plane referred to in paragraph 

 (b) of this Regulation. A well extending to the outer bottom is, however, 

 permitted at the after end of the shaft tunnel of screw ships. Other wells 

 (e.g., for lubricating oil under main engines) may be permitted by the 

 Administration if satisfied that the arrangements give protection equivalent 

 to that afforded by a double bottom complying with this Regulation. 



(d) A double bottom need not be fitted in way of watertight compartments 

 of moderate size used exclusively for the carriage of liquids, provided the 

 safety of the ship, in the event of bottom or side damage, is not, in the opinion 

 of the Administration, thereby impaired. 



(e) In the case of ships to which the provisions of paragraph (d) of 

 Regulation 1 of this Chapter apply and which are engaged on regular service 

 within the limits of a short international voyage as defined in Regulation 2 

 of Chapter III. the Administration may permit a double bottom to be 

 dispensed with in any part of the ship which is subdivided by a factor not 

 exceeding 50, if satisfied that the fitting of a double bottom in that part 

 would not be compatible with the design and proper working of the ship. 



Ch. 2 



