Crew accommodation in the merchant navy

Abstract

Statistics show that seafaring is an occupation with a high mortality. The British seamen's health gets less attention than does the health of his fellow countryman ashore.

The laws relating to health conditions afloat are out of date. The main Act requires revision. The new Instructions to Surveyors, though an improvement, need to be made more definite.

The findings are presented of a survey of the accommodation provided for 1,857 seamen in 60 British ships, and it is shown that the existing regulations are not being enforced as they should be, especially in ships with coloured crews.

The quarters of ships built since 1937 are an improvement; in a few cases they are excellent; the regulations are nevertheless being enforced loosely in the case of some of them.

The two improvements most needed are (a) an increase in the space standard in sleeping quarters; (b) the plans of the crews' quarters of every ship should be passed by a medical officer with experience of port health work before construction is started.