Article 13 Heights of hatchway coamings, doorways sills, ventilators and air pipes
Subject to paragraph (2) of this Rule, in every vessel of 12 metres in length and over to which these Rules apply every hatchway on the freeboard deck shall have a coaming of substantial construction and the height of the coaming above the deck shall be not less than:—
300 millimetres for vessels with Vessel Numerals up to and including 200;
380 millimetres for vessels with Vessel Numerals above 200 but no more than 315;
460 millimetres for vessels with Vessel Numerals above 315 but not more than 1400;
600 millimetres for vessels with Vessel Numerals above 1400.
On superstructure decks the height of the coamings shall be not less than 300 millimetres.
In any such vessel the height of hatch coamings specified in paragraph (1) above may be reduced, or the coamings omitted, where compliance with the requirements of paragraph (1) above is not reasonably practicable provided watertight hatch covers are fitted. Such covers shall be kept as small as reasonably practicable, be permanently attached by hinges or equivalent means and capable of being rapidly closed and battened down.
In every such vessel the height of sills above the level of the deck in doorways provided in companionways, superstructures, deckhouses and machinery casings which give access to parts of the deck exposed to the weather and sea from spaces below the freeboard deck shall be not less than those specified for hatchway coamings in paragraph (1) above provided that the height of such sills above deck may be reduced where there is no direct access to spaces leading below the freeboard deck and where the deckhouse, superstructures or companionways on the freeboard deck are sub-divided internally.
In every such vessel the lowest point at which water might gain access through the air pipes shall be not less than 760 millimetres above the freeboard deck or not less than 450 millimetres above the superstructure deck, provided that these heights may be reduced where compliance with the requirements of this paragraph of these Rules is not reasonably practicable because of interference with fishing operations and provided adequate closing arrangements are fitted.
On the freeboard deck of every such vessel the height above deck of ventilators, other than machinery space ventilators, shall be not less than 900 millimetres and on superstructure decks not less than 760 millimetres. The height of ventilators of machinery spaces shall be as high as is reasonable and practicable.
In every such vessel the requirements of the preceding paragraphs of this Rule shall apply in relation to the heights of coamings, sills, air pipes and ventilators above an enclosed deck where water may accumulate and present a hazard to the vessel as they apply in relation to the heights of coamings, sills, air pipes and ventilators above the freeboard deck or superstructure deck as the case may be.