SHIPS WITH HOSPITALS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 54, 26 November 1937, Page 17

SHIPS WITH HOSPITALS

De-Bunking ihe -FoVsle

Hospitals are to be provided in future in all British merchaht ships over 2500 tons. But this ib not the only uaprovement that has been decreed for the comfort of the seaman. Conditions generally are to change for the hetter, as was revealed in the new instruCtidns for the.survey of crew accommodation, issued by the Board of Trade. These instructions have been anticipated in the majority of ships built recently. They represent a big advance on what has hitherto been the standard practice: In futute, accommodation for the seamen will always be amidsbips or aft, instead of forward, as has been usual up to ttpw. Beds will generally be in single tier, and there are to be separate messrooms and sleep accommodation for different watches; better facilities for wasliing and bathing ; proper drying rooms; provision for lianging oilskins and dirty clothes ; "better ventilation, and more "head-room," otherwise; loftier quarters.

Stress is laid on the necessity fot maintaining all accommodation in good condition. . It is suggested that masters should make this their speeial responsibility, though the men themselves are urged to take greater care of their quartera. This view has the full support of th# National XJnion of Seamen, Unfortunately, there remains th© difficulty of making drastic alterations iit the large number of existing ships whose accommodation does faot reacn the standard now prescribed. It is suggested that advantage should be taken of every opportUnity which may offer itself fo effect such improvements as may be possible. The new instructions are the outcomo of a report made by a committee of fh« Shipping Federation in 1930. At that time, shipbuilding was almost at a standstill, and owners had little op» portunity for giving effect to the ro» rommendations now made.