Hong Kong Regulations

MERCHANT SHIPPING (SEAFARERS) (CREW ACCOMMODATION) REGULATION - SECT 22

Beds

(1) Every sleeping room shall be fitted with a bed for each seafarer
accommodated in the room.

(2) The framework of each bed, and its leeboards or lee rails, if any, shall
be constructed of metal or some other material which is hard, smooth and
unlikely to become corroded. If the bed is constructed of tubular frames, the
frames shall be completely sealed.

(3) There shall be unobstructed access to at least one side of each bed.

(4) Where beds abut upon each other, they shall be separated by rigid screens
made of wood or other suitable opaque material. Beds shall not be arranged in
tiers of more than 2.

(5) Beds shall not be fitted fore-and-aft along the ship's side unless the
size of the room is such that it is impracticable to fit them elsewhere. Where
beds are fitted along the ship's side, they shall be in single tier, except in
a room in which there is no sidescuttle or in which any sidescuttle fitted is
fitted clear of the beds.

(6) (No provision)

(7) (a) The distance from the bottom of the mattress of every bed to the floor
of the room shall be at least 305 millimetres.

   (b)  In every double tier bed-

        (i)    the upper berth shall be at least 760 millimetres below the
               lower side of the deckhead beams, or the ceiling if fitted
               below those beams, or other obstruction;

        (ii)   if the height of the sleeping room in which the bed is fitted
               is 2.30 metres or more, the lower berth shall be at least 910
               millimetres below the upper berth; and

        (iii)  if the height of the sleeping room in which the bed is fitted
               is less than 2.30 metres the lower berth shall be at least 840
               millimetres below the upper berth. For the purposes of this
               subsection any measurements of vertical distances from a berth
               shall be taken from the bottom of the mattress of that berth;
               and the height of the room shall be its height measured from
               the top of the floor beams to the top of the crown beams.

(8) The minimum inside dimension of beds shall be adequate to accommodate
mattresses of a size not less than 1.98 metres by 840 millimetres.

(9) Every bed shall be fitted with-

   (a)  a spring bottom or spring under-mattress and a top mattress of a
        material which will resist damp and is unlikely to harbour vermin; or

   (b)  a suitable resilient mattress fitted on a suitably ventilated base.

(10) A bottom of wood, canvas or dust-proof material shall be fitted to the
upper berth of every double tier bed.

(11) Leeboards or lee rails shall be fitted to the upper berth of every double
tier bed.

(12) Where a double tier bed is fitted, a suitable portable ladder shall be
supplied for access to the upper berth. The ladder shall be so constructed
that it hooks on to the lee rail to prevent any slipping when in use. Suitable
provision shall be made for its safe stowage when not in use. (Enacted 1995)