Sidescuttles, windows, gangway ports, cargo ports, bunkering ports and other openings in the shell above the bulkhead deck and their means of closing shall be of efficient design and construction and of sufficient strength having regard to the spaces in which they are fitted and to their positions relative to the deepest subdivision load waterline and to the intended service of the ship. All sidescuttles and windows shall be designed and constructed to standards recognised by the Certifying Authority.

Efficiently hinged deadlights, which can be easily closed and secured watertight shall be provided for all sidescuttles to spaces below the first deck above the bulkhead deck.

Each discharge led through the shell above the bulkhead deck from a space below the freeboard deck or from within any enclosed superstructure or from within any deckhouse on the freeboard deck which is fitted with weathertight doors, shall be fitted in compliance with the requirements of paragraph 2(2) of Schedule 10 in Merchant Shipping Notice MSN 1698 (M) with efficient means for preventing water from passing inboard.