This section applies to vessels which are less than 200GT and constructed on
or after 7th August 2014. The Maritime Labour
Convention, 2006 (MLC) came into force internationally on 20th
August 2013 and came into force in UK legislation on 7th August 2014.
Consideration should be given to MGN 490, as amended. To minimise operational
difficulties when operating overseas it is most strongly recommended that this section
is applied to such vessels constructed on or after 20th August 2013.
The purpose of this section is to implement the UK’s substantially equivalent
arrangements to the crew accommodation requirements of the MLC for small commercial
vessels. The aim of the MLC is to provide a comprehensive set of global maritime labour
standards for all seafarers, including accommodation standards.
21A.1 General
21A.1.1 Accommodation shall provide decent living conditions and recreational facilities
for those persons employed or engaged in any work capacity on board. Due consideration
shall be given to likely numbers of hotel and support staff on board.
21A.1.2 In order to provide decent living conditions and recreational facilities the
following requirements are provided as minimum standards.
21A.1.3 The materials used to construct internal bulkheads, panelling and sheeting,
floors and joinings shall be suitable for the purpose and conducive to ensuring a
healthy environment.
21A.1.4 Excessive noise and vibration shall be limited within accommodation spaces, and
as far as practicable in accordance with relevant international standards. Where the
seafarers’ exposure to noise and vibration is very time limited in accommodation spaces,
alternative arrangements may be accepted.
21A.2. Access/Escape Arrangements
21A.2.1 Vessels under 24m load line length shall comply with the escape arrangements in
the applicable sections of this Workboat Code of Practice.
21A.3. Headroom
21A.3.1 There shall be adequate and reasonable headroom for all seafarers on board
taking into consideration the size and operation of vessel. Headroom provided should not
result in discomfort to the seafarers on board.
21A.3.2 For spaces where seafarers are expected to stand for prolonged periods, the
minimum headroom should be 190 centimetres. The Certifying Authority may allow reduced
height in some locations if it does not result in discomfort to seafarers.
21A.4. Ventilation
21A.4.1 Effective means of ventilation shall be provided to all enclosed spaces which
are entered by personnel.
21A.4.2 Mechanical ventilation shall be provided to all accommodation spaces on vessels
which are intended to make long international voyages or operate in tropical waters. As
a minimum, mechanical ventilation shall be capable of providing 6 changes of air per
hour, when all access and other openings (other than ventilation intakes) to the spaces
are closed.
21A.4.3 Air conditioning - recirculation of supply air may be permitted provided that
sanitary accommodation is provided with mechanical exhaust ventilation and that the
fresh air content of the supply to the accommodation is not less than:-
- (a) 25 cubic metres per hour for each person for whom accommodation is
provided; or
- (b) the total capacity of the sanitary and any other accommodation exhaust fans,
excluding the galley, in cubic metres per hour,
- whichever is the greater.
21A.4.4 Enclosed galleys are to be specially considered, and where air conditioning is
not fitted shall have, as a minimum, a mechanical supply of 20 fresh air changes per
hour and a mechanical exhaust of 30 changes.
21A.4.5 In spaces where sanitary facilities are provided there shall be ventilation that
draws from the accommodation and extracts to the open air independent of the other parts
of the accommodation.
21A.5. Heating and Insulation
21A.5.1 All accommodation spaces shall be adequately heated, taking into account
climatic conditions. The accommodation shall be adequately insulated.
21A.6. Lighting
21A.6.1 An electric lighting system shall be installed which is capable of supplying
adequate light to all enclosed accommodation and working spaces.
21A.6.2 Seafarer’s sleeping rooms and mess rooms shall be lit by natural light and
provided with adequate artificial light. Where the provision of natural light is
impracticable, adequate artificial light may be acceptable in limited areas.
21A.7. Water Services and Provision
21A.7.1 Hot and cold running fresh water shall be available in all wash places.
21A.7.2 An adequate supply of fresh drinking water shall be provided and piped to
convenient positions throughout the accommodation spaces.
21A.7.3 In addition, an emergency reserve supply of drinking water shall be carried,
sufficient to provide at least 2 litres per person. The installation of fresh water
making machines and disinfection arrangements are to be to the acceptance of the
Administration (for this purpose silver ionisation or chlorination would be considered
acceptable).
21A.8. Galley Facilities and Provision of Food
21A.8.1 Adequate food shall be provided for all seafarers on board free of charge. The
provision of food shall take account of the seafarers’ religious requirements and
cultural practices, the nature and duration of the voyage, and shall be suitable in
respect of quantity, nutritional value, quality and variety.
21A.8.2 The organisation and equipment of the catering department shall be such as to
permit the provision to the seafarers of adequate, varied and nutritious meals prepared
and served in hygienic conditions. This shall include as a minimum that the galley is
fitted with a means of cooking and a sink and have adequate working surface for the
preparation of food. The galley floor shall be provided with a non-slip surface and
provide a good foothold.
21A.8.3 All furniture and fittings in the galley shall be made of a material which is
impervious to dirt and moisture. All metal parts of furniture and fittings shall be rust
resistant.
21A.8.4 The ventilation in the galley shall be arranged to ensure that there is an
adequate supply of fresh air and for the efficient discharge of fumes into the open air
(see also 21A 4.4).
21A.8.5 When a cooking appliance is gimballed it shall be protected by a crash bar or
other means to prevent personal injury. Means shall be provided to lock the gimballing
mechanism.
21A.8.6 Secure and hygienic storage for food and garbage shall be provided.
21A.8.7 A messing area(s) shall be provided, each messing area shall be large enough to
accommodate the greatest number of persons likely to use it at any one time.
21A.9. Hand Holds and Grab Rails
21A.9.1 There shall be sufficient hand holds and grab rails within the accommodation to
allow safe movement around the accommodation at all times. Stairways shall be specially
considered.
21A.10. Sleeping Accommodation
21A.10.1 Sleeping accommodation shall be of adequate size and properly equipped so as to
ensure reasonable comfort and to facilitate tidiness.
21A.10.2 Wherever possible there shall be no direct access into sleeping rooms from
spaces for machinery, galleys, storerooms, drying rooms, or communal sanitary areas. If
seafarer sleeping rooms are situated next to any such space, the sleeping room and the
other space shall have a bulkhead between them, with a door that may be locked.
21A.10.3 In seafarer accommodation, wherever possible, the maximum number of persons per
sleeping room is to be two. Any increase in the maximum number of persons per sleeping
room shall be agreed with the Administration.
21A.10.4 Sleeping accommodation shall be situated or equipped, as practicable, so as to
provide appropriate levels of privacy for men and for women.
21A.10.5 Berths for seafarers must have a minimum inside dimension of either:
- .1 not less than 190 centimetres by 70 centimetres, with no tapering, where it is
satisfied that that this is reasonable and will not result in discomfort to the
seafarers; or
- .2 not less than 198 centimetres in length and not less than 80 centimetres in
width over half the length of the berth. A taper is permitted from half the length of
the berth towards the foot of the berth but under no circumstances is the berth
permitted to be narrower at any point than 50 centimetres.
21A.10.6 Where considered appropriate, means for preventing the occupants from falling
out, shall be provided.
21A.10.7 Except as permitted in 21A 10.8, sleeping rooms shall be situated above the
load line/freeboard mark amidships or aft (or the maximum loaded displacement where no
load line/freeboard mark is provided), but in no case forward of the collision bulkhead.
21A.10.8 Where it is not possible to provide sleeping accommodation above the load
line/freeboard mark (or the maximum loaded displacement where no load line/freeboard
mark is provided) as required by 21A 10.7, there shall be an alarm fitted to provide
early warning of flooding that alerts occupants of the sleeping accommodation and
provides them with sufficient time to escape from the accommodation.
21A.11. Sanitary Facilities
21A.11.1 There must be at least one set of sanitary facilities for each 6 seafarers on
board, separated from the rest of the accommodation. Each set of sanitary facilities
shall include one shower or one tub, one wash basin and one toilet. Each set of sanitary
facilities must be provided with a door that is lockable. Where reasonable and
practicable there shall be separate sanitary facilities provided for men and for women.
21A.11.2 In vessels where a sanitary system, including a holding tank, is provided, care
shall be taken to ensure that there is no possibility of fumes from the tank finding
their way back to a toilet, shall the water seal at the toilet be broken.
21A.12. Mess Rooms
21A.12.1 Mess rooms shall be of adequate size and comfort and properly furnished and
equipped (including on-going facilities for refreshment), taking account of the number
of seafarers likely to use them at any one time. It may be that the mess will be a
shared facility for all persons on board; this shall be subject to agreement by the MCA
or Certifying Authority, as appropriate.
21A.13. Recreational Facilities
21A.13.1 Appropriate seafarers’ recreational facilities, amenities and services, as
adapted to meet the special needs of seafarers who must live and work on board, shall be
provided.
21A.13.2 All vessels shall have a space or spaces on open deck to which the seafarers
can have safe access when off duty, which are of adequate area having regard to the size
of the ship and the number of seafarers on board, and are protected from the elements.
Due consideration shall be given to any areas of deck which may be considered as posing
a safety risk to seafarers. Such spaces may be shared with the passengers and industrial
personnel on board.
21A.14. Stowage Facilities for Personal Effects
21A.14.1 Each seafarer shall be provided with adequate storage space for personal
effects which must be a minimum of 125 litres per seafarer.
21A.15. Machinery Space Boundaries
21A.15.1 Where machinery spaces are adjacent to accommodation spaces, the boundaries
shall be designed to be gas tight. The requirement to be gas-tight is taken to mean that
bulkheads shall be so constructed as to prevent ingress of water and noxious gases into
adjacent cabins as far as is reasonable and practicable to do so.
21A.15.2 Machinery space boundaries must retain any liquids which may leak from the
equipment within the machinery space.
21A.16. Securing of Heavy Equipment
21A.16.1 All heavy items of equipment such as ballast, batteries, cooking stove, etc.,
shall be securely fastened in place. All stowage lockers containing heavy items shall
have lids or doors which are capable of being securely fastened.
21A.17. Protection from Mosquitoes
21A.17.1 Vessels regularly trading to and within mosquito infested ports shall be fitted
with appropriate devices to protect seafarers from mosquitoes, as agreed by the MCA or
Certifying Authority, as appropriate.
21A.18. Master’s Inspections
21A.18.1 There shall be weekly documented inspections carried out on board vessels, by
or under the authority of the Master, with respect to:
- .1 supplies of food and drinking water;
- .2 all spaces and equipment used for the storage and handling of food and drinking
water;
- .3 galley and other equipment used for the preparation and service of meals; and
- .4 that seafarer accommodation is clean, decently habitable and maintained in a
good state of repair.
21A.18.2 The results of each inspection shall be recorded and made available for
review.