# The Merchant Shipping (Crew Accommodation) Regulations 1997, Regulation 23: Furniture and fittings in mess rooms


(1) Every mess room shall be provided with sufficient tables to allow a table space of at least 510 millimetres per person, measured along the edge of a table, for as many persons as are likely to use the room at any one time.
(2) Each table shall be at least—
(a) 610 millimetres wide if seats are provided on both sides of the table; or
(b) 380 millimetres wide if seats are provided only on one side of the table.
(3) One seat per person shall be provided for as many persons as are likely to use the room at any one time. The seats shall consist of a single chair or, in the case of seats placed directly alongside a bulkhead or the ship’s side, of single chairs or settees. Chairs shall be fitted with arm rests unless chairs with arm rests are available in a separate recreation room for the persons using the mess room. Settees shall be at least 380 millimetres wide and shall have upholstered or padded seats.
(4) (a) Every mess room provided for persons who do not provide their own food shall be provided with adequate stowage space for mess utensils in a sideboard, dresser or in separate lockers.
(b) Every mess room provided for persons who do provide their own food shall be fitted with a storage locker for each person likely to use the room. Each such storage locker shall be—
(i) large enough to contain one person’s mess utensils and supply of food;
(ii) fitted with a secure lock or hasp for a padlock;
(iii) so fitted as to be clear of the floor by at least 300 millimetres; and
(iv) adequately ventilated.
Lockers provided in pursuance of this paragraph may be fitted either in the mess room or in a suitable place readily accessible from it.
(5) In ships of 500 tons or over the following equipment or its equivalent shall be fitted in, or in a suitable space adjacent to, every mess room and shall be readily accessible at all times by the crew using the mess room—
(a) a dresser or sideboard (which may be the dresser or sideboard referred to in paragraph (4)(a));
(b) a refrigerator;
(c) a hot press (except in ships of under 1,000 tons);
(d) a sink;
(e) a supply of cold drinking water;
(f) a means of heating drinking water for hot beverages; and
(g) an electric toaster.
(6) The equipment referred to in paragraph (5) shall be adequate in size for the number of persons using the mess room.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1997/1508/regulation/23 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/merchant-shipping-crew-accommodation-regulations-1997/regulation-23
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.