Section 56

In ro-ro passenger ships constructed on or after 1st. July, 1997

{a}

subject to paragraphs (b) and {c}, all accesses that lead to spaces below the bulkhead deck shall have a lowest point which is not less than 2.5 metres above the bulkhead deck;

(b} where vehicle ramps are installed to give access to spaces below the bulkhead deck, their openings shall be able to be closed weathertight to prevent ingress of water below, alarmed and indicated to the navigation bridge;

{c)

the Director may permit the fitting of particular accesses to spaces below the bulkhead deck, provided they are necessary for the essential working of the ship, for example, the movement of machinery and stores, subject to such accesses being made watertight, alarmed and indicated to the navigation bridge;

{d}

the accesses referred to in paragraphs {b) and {c} shall be closed before the ship leaves the berth on any voyage and shall remain closed until the ship is at its next berth;

{e)

the master shall ensure that an effective system of supervision and reporting of the closing and opening of such accesses referred to in para-graphs (b} and {c) is implemented; and

({} the master shall ensure, before the ship leaves the berth on any voyage, that an entry in the official log-book, as required by regulation 65, is made of the time of the last closing of the accesses referred to in paragraphs

(b} and (c).

In ro-ro passenger ships constructed before 1st. July, 1997-

{a) all accesses from the ro-ro deck that lead to spaces below the bulk-head deck shall be made weathertight and means shall be provided on the navigation bridge, indicating whether the access is open or closed;

{b}

all such accesses shall be closed before the ship leaves the berth on any voyage and shall remain closed until the ship is at its next berth;

{cj notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph (b}, the Director may permit some accesses to be opened during the voyage but only for a period sufficient to permit through passage and, if required, for the essential working of the ship; and 580

(dJ the requirements of paragraph (aJ shall apply not later than the date of the first periodical survey after 1st. July, 1997.

Access to ro-ro decks.