INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA. 295 



being opened and which are permitted in certain positions "shall be closed water-tight and 

 locked before the vessel leaves port ; they shall not be opened during navigation ; the time 

 of opening such scuttles in port and of closing them and locking them before the vessel 

 leaves port shall be entered in the ofikial log." Also, that the construction of such scuttles 

 shall be such as to prevent any person opening them without the consent of the master. It 

 also provides that the number of scuppers, sanitaiy discharges, and other openings in the sides 

 shall be reduced to a minimum ; also, that in no case shall gangway, cargo, and coaling ports 

 be fitted below the load water line; also, that all cargo, gangway, and coaling ports in 

 ship's side below the margin line shall be effectively closed and made secure before the ves- 

 sel leaves port and kept closed during navigation. 



CONSTRUCTION AND TESTS OF WATER-TIGHT DECKS, WATER-TIGHT DOORS, SIDE SCUTTLES, ETC. 



The method of construction and character of tests applied to water-tight decks, doors, 

 etc., were thoroughly considered, and Articles 24 of the convention and XVIII of the regu- 

 lations require that the design and materials used in the construction of water-tight decks, 

 water-tight doors, side scuttles, cargo and coaling ports, etc., and all tests of same shall be to 

 the satisfaction of the administration of the country to which the vessel belongs. It is also 

 provided that no change shall be made in the structure of water-tight decks, trunks and ven- 

 tilators after the official survey of the vessel, except by permission of the proper Government 

 officials. 



PERIODICAL OPERATION AND INSPECTION OF WATER-TIGHT DOORS, ETC., AND ENTRIES IN 



OFFICIAL LOG. 



One of the most important practical requirements of the convention in matters re- 

 lating to the operation of ships relates to drills for the operating of water-tight doors, side 

 scuttles, valves and closing mechanism of scuppers, ash chutes, etc. Articles 25 of the con- 

 vention and XIX of the regulations prescribe that a complete drill of this character shall 

 take place before leaving port, a second as soon as practicable after leaving port, and others 

 thereafter at least once a week during the voyage. It is also provided that all water-tight 

 power doors and hinged doors in main transverse bulkheads in use at sea shall be operated 

 daily. Articles 26 of the convention and XX of the regulations require that entries shall be 

 made in the official log book with respect to all drills and inspections and the closing of all 

 hinged doors, portable plates, side scuttles, etc., and that a record shall be made in the official 

 log of any defects discovered during inspection. 



DOUBLE BOTTOMS. 



Recognizing the importance of defining by international agreement the character and ex- 

 tent of double bottoms in vessels. Articles 27 of the convention and XXI of the regulations 

 set forth in general terms the requirements in this respect. It will be noted that double 

 bottoms are required for at least the forward portions of the vessel in all ships over 200 

 feet in length. For vessels over 300 feet in length, this double bottom is continuous from 

 the forepeak bulkhead to the afterpeak bulkhead. Moreover, for ships more than 300 feet 

 in length, it is required that the inner bottom shall be carried out to the ship's side in such 

 manner as to protect the bilges. For ships more than 700 feet in length, the double bottom 



