Regulation 21

(1) For the purpose of these Regulations, a ship shall be designed and constructed to ensure that

(a) where full and free movement is necessary, the accommodation of a seafarer has a clear headroom of at least two hundred and three centimetres but the Authority may permit a reduction in headroom in any space, or part of any space, where the Authority is satisfied that the reduction is reasonable and will not result in discomfort to a seafarer;

(b) the accommodation of a seafarer is adequately insulated; 

(c) in ships other than passenger ships, sleeping rooms are situated above the load line amidship or aft, except that in exceptional cases, where the size, type or intended service of the ship renders any other location impracticable, sleeping rooms may be located in the fore part of the ship, but shall not be located forward of the collision bulkhead ;

(d) there is no direct opening from a cargo and machinery space or from a galley, storeroom, drying room or communal sanitary area into a sleeping room;

(e) part of a bulkhead separating a cargo and machinery space, a galley, storeroom, drying room or communal sanitary area from a sleeping room and an external bulkhead is efficiently constructed of steel or other approved substance and is watertight and gas-tight;

(f) the materials used to construct internal bulkheads, panelling and sheeting, floors and joinings is suitable for the purpose and conducive to ensuring a healthy environment;

(g) proper lighting and sufficient drainage is provided;

(h) accommodation, recreational and catering facilities meet the requirements of regulation 34 with respect to preventing the risk of exposure to hazardous levels of noise and vibration and other ambient factors and chemicals on board ships, and to provide an acceptable occupational and on-board living environment for seafarers; and

(i) a ship regularly trading to a port which is mosquito infested is fitted with appropriate devices.

(2) The Authority may,

(a) in respect of a passenger ship or a special purpose ship, and

(b) on condition that satisfactory arrangements are made for lighting and ventilation,

permit the location of a sleeping room below the load line, but a sleeping room shall not be located immediately below a working alleyway.

(3) This regulation does not apply to a ship which is constructed before 16th August 2014.

(4) For the purpose of this regulation, a ship is constructed on the date when the keel of the ship is laid or when the ship is at a similar stage of construction.