Section 55
J
of Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) Regulations, 2003
This regulation applies to all passenger ships."'
(2)
The following doors, located above the margin line, shall be closed and locked before the ship proceeds on any voyage and shall remain closed and locked until the ship is at its next berth -
(a)
cargo loading doors in the shell or the boundaries of enclosed superstructure;
(b)
bow visors fitted in positions as indicated in paragraph (a);
(c)
cargo loading doors in the collision bulkhead;
(d)
weathertight ramps forming an alternative closure to those defined in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c):
_..
Provided that where a door cannot be opened or closed while the ship is at the berth, that door may be opened or left open while the ship approaches or draws away from the berth, but only so far as may be necessary to enable the door to be immediately operated; in any case, the inner bow door must be kept closed.
(3)
Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraphs (a} and (d) of sub-regulation (2), the Director may authorise that particular doors can be opened at the discretion of the master, if necessary for the operation of the ship or the embarking and disembarking of passengers when the ship is at safe anchorage and provided that the safety of the ship is not impaired.
(4)
The master shall ensure that an effective system of supervision and reporting of the closing and opening of the doors referred to in sub-regulation (2)
is implemented.
(5)
The master shall ensure, before the ship proceeds on any voyage, that an entry in the log-book, as required in regulation 65, is made of the time of the last closing of the doors specified in sub-regulation (2) and the time of any opening of particular doors in accordance with sub-regulation (3).
* Refer to MSC/Circ.541 (as may be amended): Guidance Notes on the Integrity of Flooding boundaries above the Bulkhead Deck of Passenger Ships for proper application of regulations 36(2)
and 54(1).
579
Watertight integrity from ro-ro deck (bulkhead deck) to spaces below.