Merchant Shipping Act, 1951 (Act No. 57 of 1951)SchedulesSecond ScheduleProtocol of 1978 Relating to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974AnnexChapter II–1 : Construction — Subdivision and Stability, Machinery and Electrical InstallationsPart B — Subdivision and StabilityRegulation 21 : Marking, periodical operation and inspection of watertight doors, etc. |
(a) | This Regulation applies to new and existing ships. |
(b) | Drills for the operating of watertight doors, sidescuttles, valves and closing mechanisms of scuppers, ash-shoots and rubbish-shoots shall take place weekly. In ships in which the voyage exceeds one week in duration a complete drill shall be held before leaving port, and others thereafter at least once a week during the voyage. In all ships all watertight power doors and hinged doors, in main transverse bulkheads, in use at sea, shall be operated daily. |
(c)
(i) | The watertight doors and all mechanisms and indicators connected therewith, all valves the closing of which is necessary to make a compartment watertight, and all valves the operation of which is necessary for damage control cross connections shall be periodically inspected at sea at least once a week. |
(ii) | Such valves, doors and mechanisms shall be suitably marked to ensure that they may be properly used to provide maximum safety. |