S.L. 499.1 Art. 35Fencingofhatches, etc.

(1) Whenever any hatch of a hold accessible to any person employed in any of the processes of loading and unloading the ship, and exceeding five feet in depth measured from the level of the deck in which the hatch is situated to the bottom of the hold, is not in use for the passage of goods or for trimming and the coamings are less than two feet six inches in height, the master shall cause such hatch either to be fenced to a height of three feet or to be securely covered: Provided that this subregulation shall not apply to any ship -

(a) not exceeding two hundred tons net registered tonnage which has only one hatchway;

(b) during meal times or other short interruptions of work during the period of employment.

(2) No person shall use any hatch coverings in the construction of deck or cargo stages or for any other purpose which may expose such coverings to damage.

(3) Any person who makes use of hatch coverings shall replace them on the hatches in the positions indicated by the markings shown thereon.