Navigation (Hospital Accommodation) Regulations

STATUTORY RULES

1965 No. 104

__________

REGULATIONS UNDER THE NAVIGATION ACT 1912-1965.*

I, THE ADMINISTRATOR of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Navigation Act 1912-1965.

Dated this thirteenth

day of August, 1965.

Henry abel smith

Administrator.

By His Excellency’s Command,

(Sgd.) GORDON FREETH

Minister of State for Shipping and Transport.

_________

NAVIGATION (HOSPITAL ACCOMMODATION) REGULATIONS

Citation.

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Navigation (Hospital Accommodation) Regulations.

Definition.

2. In these Regulations “ship” means—

(a) a passenger ship registered in Australia and a passenger ship engaged in the coasting trade other than a passenger ship that is ordinarily on a route where it can, at any time, reach a port within forty-eight hours; and

(b) a passenger ship regularly employed in trading to and from ports in Australia and owned by a person, firm or company resident, or having his or its principal place of business, in Australia.

Hospital accommodation.

3. A ship Shall be provided with hospital accommodation in accordance with these Regulations.

Number of berths to be provided in hospital accommodation.

4.—(1.) The number of berths to be provided in the hospital accommodation shall not be less than the number specified in the second column of the following table opposite to the number of persons carried as crew and passengers in the ship:—

* Notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on 16 August, 1965.

13210/63.—Price 9d. (8c) 10/8.7.1965.

(2.) Where a ship is required by the last preceding sub-regulation to be provided with two berths, each of those berths shall be provided in a separate room.

(3.) Where a ship is required by sub-regulation (1.) of this regulation to be provided with more than two berths, not more than two berths shall be provided in the one room.

Location of hospital accommodation.

5. The rooms in which the berths with which a ship is required by the last preceding regulation to be provided shall be situated in the one compartment and that compartment shall be situated:—

(a) in a position which will ensure the greatest possible quiet and comfort for the patients;

(b) so that it is readily accessible and that the patients may receive proper medical attention in all weathers; and

(c) so that it is within easy access of the sleeping accommodation provided for the person in charge of the patients.

Arrangement of berths, &c., in hospital accommodation.

6.—(1.) Berths in the hospital accommodation shall be arranged in single tier and at least one berth shall be accessible from both sides and from its foot.

(2.) The berths shall be so arranged as readily to accommodate a stretcher alongside any berth.

Construction and fittings of hospital accommodation.

7.—(1.) A doorway in the compartment in which the hospital accommodation is situated shall be sufficiently wide to allow the free passage of a stretcher.

(2.) The floor of the compartment in which the hospital accommodation is situated shall be covered with a rubber based material or other impervious material approved by the Minister and shall be fitted with a coving around its perimeter.

(3.) The compartment in which the hospital accommodation is situated shall be fitted with not less than two side scuttles—

(a) at least twelve inches in diameter; and

(b) fitted with suitable bars or guards.

(4.) The minimum standards of—

(a) heating, lighting and ventilation;

(b) construction and internal surfaces of bulkheads;

(c) construction and fittings of berths; and

(d) floor area and head room,

required by the Navigation (Crew Accommodation) Regulations in respect of sleeping accommodation for ratings apply also to the compartment in which the hospital accommodation is situated.

(5.) A suitable locker, a water bottle and a tumbler shall be provided for each berth in the hospital accommodation and shall be within reach of that berth.

(6.) Each berth in the hospital accommodation shall be provided with the following items of equipment:—

(a) a clothes locker;

(b) a seat;

(c) a bed pan; and

(d) an electric bell-push so arranged as to be within reach of the berth and communicating with the sleeping accommodation provided for the person in charge of the patients.

(7.) An efficient portable light shall be provided for each room in the hospital accommodation and shall be kept ready at all times for use in the event of failure of the normal lighting system.

Toiletrooms.

8.—(1.) A toilet room containing a water closet, handbasin and shower shall be provided immediately adjacent to, and with direct access from, each room in which berths are provided under these Regulations.

(2.) Subject to this regulation, the provisions of regulations 54, 56 and 59 to 63 (inclusive) of the Navigation (Crew Accommodation) Regulations apply to and in relation to a toilet room required to be provided by this regulation.

Weekly inspection of accommodation.

9.—(1.) The master or an officer appointed by him for the purpose shall inspect every part of the hospital accommodation at intervals not exceeding seven days, and shall be accompanied on the inspection by at least one member of the crew.

(2.) The master of the ship shall cause to be entered in the ship’s official log-book a record of—

(a) the time and date of the inspection;

(b) the names, ranks and ratings of the persons making the inspection; and

(c) particulars of any respects in which the hospital accommodation or a part of it was found by any of the persons making the inspection not to comply with these Regulations.

Annual and other inspections of hospital accommodation.

10.—(1.) The hospital accommodation of each ship shall be inspected by a Medical Inspector of Seamen appointed under section 123 of the Navigation Act 1912-1965 or a person authorized for the purpose by the Minister—

(a) annually; and

(b) whenever—

(i) the ship is registered or re-registered;

(ii) a part of the hospital accommodation in the ship undergoes substantial alterations or repairs;

(iii) a request for an inspection has been made to the Minister, in sufficient time to avoid delay in the sailing of the ship, by or on behalf of the owner of the ship or by an official of an organization of seamen registered under the Conciliation and Arbitration Act 1904-1965; or

(iv) a written complaint, alleging that the hospital accommodation does not comply with these Regulations and signed by at least three members of the crew, has been duly lodged with the superintendent at a Mercantile Marine Office.

(2.) A complaint referred to in sub-paragraph (iv) of paragraph (b) of the last preceding sub-regulation shall be deemed not to have been duly lodged unless it is lodged—

(a) as soon as practicable after the arrival of the ship in port; and

(b) at least twenty-four hours before the ship is due to sail unless the ship is in port for less than twenty-four hours.

Offences.

11.—(1.) Where—

(a) a ship that is not provided with hospital accommodation in accordance with these Regulations enters a port or place in Australia; or

(b) the hospital accommodation in a ship that enters a port or place in Australia is not provided with the articles and items of equipment referred to in regulation 7 of these Regulations,

the master and the owner of the ship are each guilty of an offence and each is liable on conviction to a penalty not exceeding One hundred pounds.

(2.) Where—

(a) hospital accommodation in a ship is used for a purpose other than for the treatment of sick persons;

(b) hospital accommodation in a ship is not maintained in a clean condition; or

(c) all articles and items of equipment referred to in regulation 7 of these Regulations are not maintained in good working order,

the master of the ship is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a penalty not exceeding One hundred pounds.

__________________

By Authority: A. J. Arthur, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra