Regulation 29 Crew accommodation requirements
In this Part, “crew accommodation” means accommodation, including the construction, machinery, fittings and equipment of that accommodation, intended for or used by seafarers.
In this regulation, “social connectivity” means connectivity to internet services for social communication and social engagement purposes.
Subject to regulations 30, 31 and 32, a ship must comply with the requirements relating to crew accommodation set out in Merchant Shipping Notice 1844 (M).
Subject to paragraph (2B) and regulation 32 (approvals to allow substantial equivalences), social connectivity facilities must be provided in all areas of the crew accommodation of a ship except storerooms.
The requirement in paragraph (2A) does not apply—
in relation to a seafarer—
who does not live and work on board the ship, or
who is not on board the ship;
in relation to a ship—
which starts and finishes a voyage on the same day, or
while it is operating within an area, or is transiting waters in an area, where availability of social connectivity services is absent, or ineffective, due to reasons beyond the control of the ship owner.
A breach of paragraph (2) F3or (2A) is an offence by the shipowner.
The master of the ship, or an officer appointed by the master for that purpose, must, at intervals not exceeding 7 days and accompanied by at least one member of the crew, inspect the crew accommodation to ensure it is clean, decently habitable and maintained in a good state of repair.
A breach of paragraph (4) is an offence by the master of the ship.
The master of the ship, or an officer appointed by the master for that purpose, must record the findings of inspections undertaken pursuant to paragraph (4) in the official log book of the ship specifying—
the time and date of the inspection;
the name and rank of each person making the inspection; and
particulars of any respect in which the crew accommodation was found by any of the persons making the inspection not to comply with these Regulations.
A breach of paragraph (6) is an offence by the master of the ship.
Annotations
Textual amendments
- F1
Reg. 29(1A) inserted (10.4.2026) by The Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2026 (S.I. 2026/260), regs. 1(1), 2(3)(a)
- F2
Reg. 29(2A)(2B) inserted (10.4.2026) by The Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2026 (S.I. 2026/260), regs. 1(1), 2(3)(b)
- F3
Words in reg. 29(3) inserted (10.4.2026) by The Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2026 (S.I. 2026/260), regs. 1(1), 2(3)(c)
Modifications
- C1
Reg. 29(2) excluded by S.I. 1998/2771, reg. 5(3) (as substituted (6.4.2018) by The Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/242), regs. 1, 3(3)(b))
- C2
Reg. 29(2) excluded by S.I. 1998/2771, reg. 4(3) (as substituted (6.4.2018) by The Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/242), regs. 1, 2(2)(c))
- C3
Reg. 29(2) excluded (13.12.2023) by The Merchant Shipping (Small Workboats and Pilot Boats) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1216), regs. 1(1), 5, Sch. 1 (with regs. 4, 6)
- C4
Reg. 29(2) excluded (12.12.2025) by The Merchant Shipping (Vessels in Commercial Use for Sport or Pleasure) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/1195), reg. 1(1), Schs. 3, 4 (with reg. 4)