Section 41

A forepeak or collision bulkhead shall be fitted which shall be water-tight up to the bulkhead deck. This bulkhead shall be located at a distance from the forward perpendicular of not less than 5% of the length of the ship and not more than 3 metres plus 5% of the length of the ship.

Where any part of the ship below the water-line extends forward of the forward perpendicular, for example, a bulbous bow, the distances stipulated in sub-regulation (1) shall be measured from a point either-

{a) at the mid-length of such extension;

{b) at a distance 1.5% of the length of the ship forward of the forward perpendicular; or

{c) at a distance 3 metres forward of the forward perpendicular, whichever gives the smallest measurement.

Where a long for~ard superstructure is fitted, the forepeak or collision bulkhead on all passenger ships shall be extended weathertight to the next full deck above the bulkhead deck. The extension shall be so arranged as to preclude the possibility of the bow door causing damage to it in the case of damage to, or detachment of, a bow door.

The extension required in sub-regulation (3) need not be fitted directly above the bulkhead below, provided that all parts of the extension are not located forward of the forward limit specified in sub-regulation (1) or (2). In ships constructed before 1st. July, 1997-

{a) where a sloping ramp forms part of the extension, the part of the extension, which is more than 2.3 metres above the bulkhead deck, may extend no more than one metre forward of the forward limits specified in sub-regulation (1) or (2}; and 558

(bJ where the existing ramp does not comply with the requirements for acceptance as an extension to the collision bulkhead and the position of the ramp prevents the siting of such extension within the limits specified in sub-regulation (1} or (2), the extension may be sited within a limited dis-tance aft of the aft limit specified in sub-regulation (1) or (2). The limited distance aft should be no more than is necessary to ensure non-interference with the ramp. The extension to the collision bulkhead shall open forward and comply with the requirements of sub-regulation (3) and shall be so arranged as to preclude the possibility of the ramp causing damage to it in the case of damage to, or detachment of, the ramp.

Ramps not meeting the requirements mentioned in sub-regulation (4}

shall be disregarded as an extension of the collision bulkhead.

In ships constructed before 1st. July, 1997, the requirements of sub-regulations (3) and (4) shall apply not later than the date of the ftrst periodical survey after 1st. July, 1997.

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An afterpeak bulkhead, and bulkheads dividing the machinery space, from the cargo and passenger spaces forward and aft, shall also be fitted and made watertight up to the bulkhead deck. The afterpeak bulkhead may be stepped below the bulkhead deck, provided the degree of safety of the ship as regards subdivision is not thereby diminished.

In all cases, stern tubes shall be enclosed in watertight spaces of moderate volume. The stern gland shall be situated in a watertight shaft tunnel or other watertight space separate from the stern tube compartment and of such volume that, if flooded by leakage through the stern gland, the margin line will not be submerged.

Peak and machinery space bulkheads and stern tubes in cargo ships.