Section 6 Protection of openings

6.1.1 Closing appliances for yachts are, in general, to provide weathertight integrity and safety equivalent to the requirements of Pt 3, Ch 4 Closing Arrangements and Outfit taking into consideration reductions depending on the height of the lowest weather deck, relative to the design waterline.

6.1.2 The vertical distance between the freeboard deck and the weather deck may be used to reduce the Load Line requirements for closing appliances, coaming heights and openings in the hull, superstructure and deckhouses.

6.1.3 The vertical distance between the virtual freeboard deck and the weather deck may be used to reduce the Load Line requirements for closing appliances, coaming heights and openings in the hull, superstructure and deckhouses.

6.1.4 Where this vertical distance (as defined in Pt 4, Ch 2, 6.1 General 6.1.2 and Pt 4, Ch 2, 6.1 General 6.1.3) is at least one standard superstructure height then Load Line requirements for closing appliances, coaming heights and openings apply as if an additional tier of superstructure existed. See also Pt 3, Ch 2, 7.2 Definition of tiers 7.2.2.

6.1.5 Where this vertical distance (defined in Pt 4, Ch 2, 6.1 General 6.1.2 and Pt 4, Ch 2, 6.1 General 6.1.3) is less than one standard superstructure height the coaming heights of doors, hatches, ventilators, air pipes, etc. may be reduced in proportion to the ratio of the actual distance and one standard superstructure height.

6.2.1 Doors on the weather deck (first tier accommodation) protecting direct access to machinery spaces are to be of substantial construction in accordance with or equivalent to recognised National or International Standards. They are to be permanently attached to the casing, outward opening and gasketted weathertight with a minimum of six clips and have a coaming height of 460 mm with a minimum of 230 mm depending on the excess freeboard.

6.2.2 Doors on the weather deck to first tier accommodation or other spaces protecting access below are to be as required by Pt 4, Ch 2, 6.2 Hinged weathertight doors 6.2.1 with a minimum of four clips. Provided access to the space(s) may be obtained from the deck above, the coaming height may be 230 mm with a minimum of 150 mm depending on the excess freeboard.

6.2.3 Where wood doors are proposed on the weather deck in lieu of doors in Pt 4, Ch 2, 6.2 Hinged weathertight doors 6.2.2 above they are to be strongly constructed of hardwood not less than 50 mm thick, double gasketted with coamings as required by Pt 4, Ch 2, 6.2 Hinged weathertight doors 6.2.2. For doors in exposed locations additional securing arrangements by slip bolts, clamps or equivalent are required. These doors are not to be the sole means of entry or exit from the space. Where these doors may be required to be used as a means of escape in an emergency situation, the additional securing arrangements are to be operable from both sides.

6.2.4 The use of FRP for doors on the weather deck other than to machinery spaces may be accepted, providing the doors are of substantial construction in accordance with Pt 4, Ch 2, 6.2 Hinged weathertight doors 6.2.2.

6.2.5 Proposals to use FRP doors for access to machinery spaces are to comply with Pt 4, Ch 2, 6.2 Hinged weathertight doors 6.2.4 in addition to Pt 17 Fire Protection, Detection and Extinction, in respect of fire requirements and compliance with any National Authority requirements which may be applicable.

6.2.6 Doors in the second tier accommodation are to be as indicated in Pt 4, Ch 2, 6.2 Hinged weathertight doors 6.2.1 with a minimum of four clips, or wood doors per Pt 4, Ch 2, 6.2 Hinged weathertight doors 6.2.3 and have a coaming height of 100 mm with a minimum of 50 mm depending on the excess freeboard. Sliding doors with equivalent securing arrangements may be accepted.

6.3.1 Hatches on the weather deck and deck above are to have a structural integrity of not less than the structure to which they are fitted and are to be weathertight when closed.

6.3.2 Hatches on the weather deck in the forward 0,25L _L or to machinery spaces are to be hinged on the forward side and have 460 mm coamings with a minimum of 230 mm depending on the excess freeboard.

6.3.3 Elsewhere on the weather deck, hatches which are proposed to be open at sea and provide access to lower accommodation spaces are to have a coaming height of 230 mm with a minimum of 150 mm depending on the excess freeboard.

6.3.4 Hatches on the deck above the weather deck which are proposed to be open at sea, are to have a coaming height of 150 mm with a minimum of 50 mm depending on the excess freeboard.

6.3.5 Flush hatches that are not closed by gasketed covers and secured by closely spaced bolts will be specially considered but should not, in general, be fitted on the weather deck. However, flush hatches fitted with drains led overboard that do not require to be opened at sea will be considered. Flush hatches are to be watertight and satisfactorily prototype tested at design head. Flush hatches are to be kept closed at sea. A spare gasket is to be provided on board.

6.3.6 To facilitate a swift and safe means of escape to the lifeboat and life raft embarkation deck, the following provisions apply to overhead hatches fitted along the escape routes addressed by Regulation 13 - Means of escape:

1. escape hatches and their securing devices are to be of a type which can be opened from both sides;

2. the maximum force needed to open the hatch cover is not to exceed 150 N; and

3. the use of a spring counterbalance, equalising or any other suitable device on the hinge side to reduce the force needed for opening is acceptable.

6.4.1 Ventilators and air pipes are to have coamings complying with Pt 3, Ch 4, 11 Ventilators and Pt 15, Ch 2, 11 Air, overflow and sounding pipes respectively.

6.4.2 Where necessary for operational reasons, coamings on the weather deck protected by the bulwark may be reduced to the bulwark height subject to a minimum coaming height of 450 mm for ventilators and 300 mm for air pipes.

6.5.1 Special arrangements in accordance with a relevant National or International Standard may be accepted in lieu of arrangements in accordance with the requirements of this Section.

6.5.2 The requirements for portlights, windows and skylights are indicated in Pt 3, Ch 4 Closing Arrangements and Outfit. Proposals to fit windows below freeboard deck will be specially considered.

6.5.3 Round, elliptical or elongated portlights are to have a structural integrity of not less than the structure to which they are fitted. If fitted below the weatherdeck, they are to be provided with permanently attached deadlights. See also Pt 3, Ch 4, 7.12 Deadlights and storm covers 7.12.2.

6.5.4 Where internal covers are provided, they are to be gasketted and capable of being secured weathertight (with additional backing bars if necessary). Provision is to be made for the storm covers to be stored on board and their stowage location noted in the document `For the information of the Master'. Internal storm blinds may be accepted subject to satisfactory tests being carried out.

6.5.5 Laminated glass is to be in accordance with Pt 3, Ch 4, 7.9 Laminated glass thickness. Laminated glass may include chemically toughened glass (CTG), thermally toughened safety glass (TTG) or heat strengthened glass (HSG). See also Pt 3, Ch 4, 7.10 Other glazing materials. The glass is to be in accordance with a recognised International Standard, e.g. ISO 11336 (Parts 1 to 3).

6.5.6 Wheelhouse windows are to be of toughened safety glass or of laminated construction.

6.5.7 Details of the attachment of windows in their frames and of frames to the yacht structure are to be submitted for approval.

6.5.8 Storm covers or deadlights are required for all windows and portlights fitted in the front and sides of deckhouses on the weather deck and for front windows fitted on the second tier. Where storm covers are interchangeable port and starboard, a sufficient number to fit any one side is to be provided.

6.5.9 A glazing equivalent may be fitted in lieu of deadlights or stormcovers on the weather deck and above. The thicknesses and arrangements are to be acceptable to the National Authority with whom the craft is registered and/or by the Administration within whose jurisdiction the ship is intended to operate. For arrangements of glazing acceptable to Lloyds Register (hereinafter referred to as LR), see Table 2.6.1 Acceptable arrangements of glazing in lieu of portable storm covers/deadlights. Alternative arrangements of glazing in lieu of deadlights or storm covers may be accepted provided details are submitted for consideration.

Table 2.6.1 Acceptable arrangements of glazing in lieu of portable storm covers/deadlights

In lieu of portable storm covers	In lieu of deadlights or storm covers
Symbols
t 0 = minimum thickness of toughened glass as calculated in Pt 3, Ch 4, 7.8 Toughened safety glass thickness 7.8.1

6.6.1 Special arrangements in accordance with a relevant National or International Standard may be accepted in lieu of arrangements in accordance with the requirements of this Section.

6.6.2 When sliding glass doors are provided, or a glass wall which includes an access, an alternative access, or exit from the space, is to be provided, and the arrangements are to be in accordance with approved plans and weathertight commensurate with their position. Coaming heights are, in general, to be in accordance with Pt 4, Ch 2, 6.2 Hinged weathertight doors and the use of portable coamings will be considered. Details are to be submitted.

6.6.3 The glass used in the above is to be toughened safety glass or equivalent in accordance with Pt 4, Ch 2, 6.5 Portlights, windows and skylights.

6.6.4 Storm covers of strong construction are to be provided and stored on board. Aft facing glass doors or walls in the second tier and above, are not required to be fitted with storm protection. The use of a virtual freeboard deck to determine storm cover requirements is not permitted. Additional portable supports are to be provided as necessary and full details are to be submitted for approval. Roller shutters or other alternatives will be specially considered.

6.6.5 In lieu of a weathertight coaming for the cover, adequate drainage is to be provided between the cover and the glass which may be in the form of a sump drained overboard, with a grating over, details of such proposals should be submitted for individual consideration.

6.7.1 Piping and valves are, in general, to comply with the requirements indicated in Pt 15, Ch 2, 3 Shell valves and fittings (other than those on scuppers and sanitary discharges).

6.8.1 In general, freeing ports are to be in accordance with the requirements indicated in Pt 3, Ch 4 Closing Arrangements and Outfit, taking into consideration the position of the virtual freeboard deck indicated in Pt 4, Ch 2, 6.1 General.

6.9.1 Bulwarks, guard rails and wires are, in general, to comply with the requirements indicated in Pt 3, Ch 4, 8 Bulwarks, guard rails and other means for the protection of crew.

6.9.2 Where a bulwark of reduced height is fitted, guard rails or wires are to be provided above the bulwark to a height of 1000 mm above the deck.

6.9.3 Where the proper working of a yacht may otherwise be impeded bulwarks, guard rails of wires of a reduced height may be considered. Details are to be submitted for approval.

6.9.4 Protection is to be provided in way of boats, liferafts etc.