INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA. 257 



Article XIX. 



PERIODICAL OPERATION AND INSPECTION OF WATERTIGHT DOORS, ETC. 



In all vessels defined in Article 2 of the Convention, drills for the operating of water- 

 tight doors, side scuttles, valves, and closing mechanisms of scuppers, ash shoots and rub- 

 bish shoots, shall take place periodically during the voyage. A complete drill shall take place 

 before leaving port, a second as soon as practicable after leaving port, and others there- 

 after at least once a week during the voyage, provided that all watertight power doors and 

 hinged doors in main transverse bulkheads in use at sea shall be operated daily. 



The watertight doors and all mechanisms and indicators connected therewith, and all 

 valves the closing of which is necessary to make a compartment watertight, shall be peri- 

 odically inspected at sea, at least once a week. 



Article XX. 



ENTRIES IN THE OFFICIAL LOG BOOK. 



In all vessels defined in Article 2 of the Convention, hinged doors, portable plates, side 

 scuttles, gangway, cargo and coaling ports, and other openings, which are required by the 

 preceding rules to be kept closed during navigation, shall be closed before the vessel leaves 

 port. The time of closing, and the time of opening (if permissible under these Regulations), 

 shall be recorded in the official log book. 



A record of all drills and inspections required by Article XIX shall be entered in the 

 official log book with an explicit record of any defects. 



Article XXI. 



DOUBLE BOTTOMS. 



(1) In vessels 61 meters (equivalent to 200 feet) and under 76 meters (equivalent to 

 249 feet) in length, a double bottom shall be fitted at least from the machinery space to the 

 forepeak bulkhead, or as near thereto as practicable. 



(2) In vessels 76 meters (equivalent to 249 feet) and under 91.5 meters (equivalent 

 to 300 feet) in length, a double bottom shall be fitted at least outside of the machinery space 

 and shall extend to the fore and after peak bulkheads respectively, or as near thereto as 

 practicable. 



(3) In vessels 9L5 meters (equivalent to 300 feet) and over in length, a double bot- 

 tom shall be fitted amidships and shall extend to the fore and after peak bulkheads respect- 

 ively, or as near thereto as practicable. 



(4) In vessels over 9L5 meters (equivalent to 300 feet) in length, the inner bottom 

 shall be continued out to the vessel's side in such manner as to protect the bilges. 



(5) In vessels over 213 meters (equivalent to 699 feet) in length, the double bottom, 

 for at least half the vessel's length amidships and forward to the forepeak bulkhead, shall 

 extend up the vessel's sides to a height above the top of the keel not less than 10 per cent 

 of the vessel's molded breadth. 



(6) Wells constructed in the double bottom in connection with the drainage arrange- 

 ments shall not extend downwards from the inner bottom more than half the depth of the 



