The Merchant Shipping (Passenger Ship Construction: Ships of Classes III to VI (A)) Regulations 1998

PART VIU.K.BILGE PUMPING ARRANGEMENTS

GeneralU.K.

40.—(1) Every ship shall be provided with an efficient pumping plant capable of pumping from and draining any watertight compartment in the ship, other than a space permanently appropriated for the carriage of fresh water, water ballast or oil and for which other efficient means of pumping or drainage is provided, under all conditions likely to arise in practice after a casualty, whether or not the ship remains upright. Wing suctions shall be provided if necessary. Efficient arrangements shall be provided whereby water in any watertight compartment may find its way to the suction pipes.

(2) Sanitary, ballast and general service pumps having a suitable capacity in accordance with paragraph [F15(3)] of Schedule 6 in Merchant Shipping Notice MSN 1699(M) may be accepted as independent power pumps if fitted with necessary connections to the bilge pump systems.

Number and type of bilge pumpsU.K.

41.  [F2Subject to regulation 3B(2) (application),] every ship shall be provided with bilge pumps in accordance with tables set out in Schedule 6 in Merchant Shipping Notice MSN 1699(M).

Requirements for bilge pumps and bilge suctionsU.K.

42.  [F3Subject to regulation 3B(2) (application),] bilge pumps and bilge piping provided in any ship to meet the requirements of these Regulations shall as far as practicable meet the conditions and specifications set out in Schedule 6 in Merchant Shipping Notice MSN 1699(M).

[F4Requirement for bilge alarmsU.K.

42A.(1) Subject to regulation 3B, every ship shall be fitted, at each of the locations listed in paragraph (2), with an alarm capable of detecting the presence of water in the bilges (“bilge alarm”) in accordance with Schedule 6 to Merchant Shipping Notice 1699 (M).

(2) The locations are—

(a)any machinery space; and

(b)any other space where water in the bilges is likely to accumulate.

(3) A bilge alarm fitted to meet the requirements of this regulation shall include—

(a)an audible, and a separate visual, warning at the control position for each space in which an alarm is fitted; and

(b)an audible alarm which, once activated, continues to sound until it is acknowledged by positive action and shall not automatically cease sounding of its own accord.

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (3), “control position” means the area from which the command and navigation of the ship is carried out.]