Oct. 12.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 3305

REGULATION XII.

Construction and Initial Tests of Watertight Decks, Trunks, &c.

(1) Watertight decks, trunks, tunnels, duct keels, and ventilators shall be of the same strength as watertight bulkheads at corresponding levels. The means used for making them watertight, and the arrangements adopted for closing openings in them, shall be to the satisfaction of the Administration. Watertight ventilators and trunks shall be carried at least up to the margin line.

(2) After completion a hose or flooding test shall be applied to watertight decks and a hose test to watertight trunks, tunnels, and ventilators.

REGULATION XIII.

Periodical Operation and Inspection of Watertight Doors, &c.

In all new and existing ships drills for the operating of watertight doors, sidescuttles, valves, and closing mechanisms of scuppers, ash-shoots, and rubbish-shoots, shall take place weekly. In ships in which the voyage exceeds one week in duration a complete drill shall be held before leaving port, and others thereafter at least once a week during the voyage, provided that all watertight power doors and hinged doors, in main transverse bulkheads, in use at sea shall be operated daily.

The watertight doors and all mechanisms and indicators connected therewith, and all valves the closing of which is necessary to make a compartment watertight, shall be periodically inspected at sea, at least once a week.

REGULATION XIV.

Entries in the Official Log Book.

In all new and existing ships hinged doors, portable plates, sidescuttles, gangway, cargo, and coaling ports and other openings, which are required by these Regulations to be kept closed during navigation, shall be closed before the ship leaves port. The time of closing, and the time of opening (if permissible under these Regulations), shall be recorded in the official log book.

A record of all drills and inspections required by Regulation XIII shall be entered in the official log book with an explicit record of any defects which may be disclosed.

REGULATION XV.

Double Bottoms.

(1) In ships 200 feet (61 metres) and under 249 feet (76 metres) in length a double bottom shall be fitted at least from the machinery space to the fore peak bulkhead, or as near thereto as practicable.

(2) In ships 249 feet (76 metres) and under 330 feet (100 metres) in length a double bottom shall be fitted at least outside the machinery space, and shall extend to the fore and after peak bulkheads, or as near thereto as practicable.

(3) In ships 330 feet (100 metres) in length and upwards a double bottom shall be fitted amidships, and shall extend to the fore and after peak bulkheads, or as near thereto as practicable.

(4) Where a double bottom is required to be fitted the inner bottom shall be continued out to the ship’s sides in such a manner as to protect the bottom to the turn of bilge.

Such protection will be deemed satisfactory if the line of intersection of the outer edge of the margin plate with the bilge plating is not lower at any part than a horizontal plane passing through the point of intersection with the frame line amidships of a transverse diagonal line inclined at 25 degrees to the base line and cutting it at a point one-half the ship’s moulded breadth from the middle line.

(5) Wells constructed in the double bottom in connection with the drainage arrangements shall not extend downwards more than necessary, not shall they be less than 18 inches (457 millimetres) from the outer bottom or from the inner edge of the margin plate. A well extending to the outer bottom is, however, permitted at the after end of the shaft tunnel of screw ships.