(1) Machinery casings on Type 'A' ships as defined
in Regulation 27 shall be protected
by an enclosed poop or bridge of at least standard height, or by a
deckhouse of equal height and equivalent strength, provided that machinery
casings may be exposed if there are no openings giving direct access
from the freeboard deck to the machinery space. A door complying with
the requirements of Regulation 12 may,
however, be permitted in the machinery casing, provided that it leads
to a space or passageway which is as strongly constructed as the casing
and is separated from the stairway to the engine room by a second
weathertight door of steel or other equivalent material.
(2) An efficiently constructed fore and aft permanent
gangway of sufficient strength shall be fitted on Type 'A' ships at
the level of the superstructure deck between the poop and the midship
bridge or deckhouse where fitted, or equivalent means of access shall
be provided to carry out the purpose of the gangway, such as passages
below deck. Elsewhere, and on Type 'A' ships without a midship bridge,
arrangements to the satisfaction of the Administration shall be provided
to safeguard the crew in reaching all parts used in the necessary
work of the ship.
(3) Safe and satisfactory access from the gangway
level shall be available between separate crew accommodations and
also between crew accommodations and the machinery space.
(4) Exposed hatchways on the freeboard and forecastle
decks or on the tops of expansion trunks on Type 'A' ships shall be
provided with efficient watertight covers of steel or other equivalent
material.
(5) Type 'A' ships with bulwarks shall have open
rails fitted for at least half the length of the exposed parts of
the weather deck or other effective freeing arrangements. The upper
edge of the sheer strake shall be kept as low as practicable.
(6) Where superstructures are connected by trunks,
open rails shall be fitted for the whole length of the exposed parts
of the freeboard deck.