Regulations last checked for updates: Oct 18, 2024

Title 46 - Shipping last revised: Oct 15, 2024
§ 190.20-1 - Application.

(a) Except as noted below, the provisions of this subpart apply to all vessels contracted for on or after March 1, 1968.

(b) Vessels contracted for prior to March 1, 1968, must meet the requirements of § 190.20-90.

§ 190.20-5 - Intent.

(a) The accommodations provided for officers, crew, and scientific personnel on all vessels must be securely constructed, properly lighted, heated, drained, ventilated, equipped, located, arranged, and, where practicable, shall be insulated from undue noise, heat, and odors.

(b) Provided the intent of this subpart is met, consideration may be given by the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection to relax the requirements relating to the size and separation of accommodations for scientific personnel.

§ 190.20-10 - Location of crew spaces.

(a) Crew quarters must not be located farther forward in the vessel than a vertical plane located at 5 percent of the vessel's length abaft the forward side of the stem at the designated summer load water line. However, for vessels in other than ocean or coastwise service, this distance need not exceed 8.5 meters (28 feet). For purpose of this paragraph, the vessel's length shall be as defined in § 43.15-1 of subchapter E (Load Lines) of this chapter. Unless approved by the Commandant, no section of the deck head of the crew spaces may be below the deepest load line.

(b) There must be no direct communication, except through solid, close fitted doors or hatches between crew spaces and chain lockers, or machinery spaces.

§ 190.20-15 - Construction.

All crew spaces are to be constructed and arranged in a manner suitable to the purpose for which they are intended and so they can be kept in a clean, workable and sanitary condition.

§ 190.20-20 - Sleeping accommodations.

(a) Where practicable, each licensed officer must be provided with a separate stateroom.

(b) Sleeping accommodations for the crew must be divided into rooms, no one of which must berth more than 4 persons.

(c) Each room must be of such size that there are at least 2.78 square meters (30 square feet) of deck area and a volume of at least 5.8 cubic meters (210 cubic feet) for each person accommodated. The clear head room must be not less than 190 centimeters (75 inches). In measuring sleeping accommodations any furnishings contained therein for the use of the occupants are not to be deducted from the total volume or from the deck area.

(d) Each person shall have a separate berth and not more than one berth may be placed above another. The berth must be composed of materials not likely to corrode. The overall size of a berth must not be less than 68 centimeters (27 inches) wide by 190 centimeters (75 inches) long, except by special permission of the Commandant. Where two tiers of berths are fitted, the bottom of the lower berth must not be less than 30 centimeters (12 inches) above the deck. The berths must not be obstructed by pipes, ventilating ducts, or other installations.

(e) A locker must be provided for each person accommodated in a room.

§ 190.20-25 - Washrooms and toilet rooms.

(a) There must be provided at least 1 toilet, 1 washbasin, and 1 shower or bathtub for each 8 members or portion thereof in the crew to be accommodated who do not occupy rooms to which private or semi-private facilities are attached.

(b) The toilet rooms and washrooms must be located convenient to the sleeping quarters of the crew to which they are allotted but must not open directly into such quarters except when they are provided as private or semi-private facilities.

(c) All washbasins, showers, and bathtubs must be equipped with adequate plumbing, including hot and cold running water. All toilets must be installed with adequate plumbing for flushing. Where more than 1 toilet is located in a space or compartment, each toilet must be separated by partitions.

§ 190.20-30 - Messrooms.

(a) Messrooms must be located as near to the galley as is practicable except where the messroom is equipped with a steam table.

(b) Each messroom must seat the number of persons expected to eat in the messroom at one time.

§ 190.20-35 - Hospital space.

(a) Except as specifically modified by paragraph (f) of this section, each vessel which in the ordinary course of its trade makes voyages of more than 3 days duration between ports and which carries a crew of 12 or more, must be provided with a hospital space. This space must be situated with regard to the comfort of the sick so that they may receive proper attention in all weather.

(b) The hospital must be suitably separated from other spaces and must be used for the care of the sick and for no other purpose.

(c) The hospital must be fitted with berths in the ratio of 1 berth to every 12 members of the crew or portion thereof who are not berthed in single occupancy rooms, but the number of berths need not exceed 6. Where all single occupancy rooms are provided, the requirement for a separate hospital may be withdrawn, provided that 1 stateroom is fitted with a bunk accessible from both sides.

(d) [Reserved]

(e) The hospital must have a toilet, washbasin, and bathtub or shower conveniently situated. Other necessary suitable equipment such as a clothes locker, a table and a seat must be provided.

(f) On vessels in which the crew is berthed in single occupancy rooms, a hospital space will not be required, provided that 1 room must be designated and fitted with use as a treatment or isolation room. This room must meet the following standards:

(1) The room must be available for immediate medical use; and

(2) A washbasin with hot and cold running water must be installed either in or immediately adjacent to the space and other required sanitary facilities must be conveniently located.

§ 190.20-40 - Other spaces.

Each vessel shall have—

(a) Sufficient facilities where the crew may wash and dry their own clothes, including at least 1 sink supplied with hot and cold fresh water;

(b) Recreation spaces; and

(c) A space or spaces of adequate size on the open deck to which the crew has access when off duty.

§ 190.20-45 - Lighting.

Each berth must have a light.

§ 190.20-50 - Heating and cooling.

(a) All manned spaces must be adequately heated and cooled in a manner suitable to the purpose of the space.

(b) Radiators and other heating apparatus must be so placed and shielded, where necessary, to avoid risk of fire, danger or discomfort to the occupants. Pipes leading to radiators or heating apparatus must be insulated where those pipes create a hazard to persons occupying the space.

§ 190.20-55 - Insect screens.

Provisions must be made to protect the crew quarters against the admission of insects.

§ 190.20-90 - Vessels contracted for prior to March 1, 1968.

Existing structures, arrangements, materials, and facilities previously approved will be considered satisfactory so long as they are maintained in good condition to the satisfaction of the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection. Minor repairs and alterations may be made to the same standards as the original construction, provided that in no case will a greater departure from the standards of §§ 190.20-5 through 190.20-55 be permitted than presently exists.

authority: 46 U.S.C. 2113,3306; E.O. 12234, 45 FR 58801, 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 277; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1
source: CGFR 67-83, 33 FR 1125, Jan. 27, 1968, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 46 CFR 190.20-40