46 CFR §169.317
Verified against eCFR.gov as of June 20, 2026View official text on eCFR.gov ↗
- (a)Quarters must have sufficient fresh air, light and heat. Quarters must not be located forward of the collision bulkhead or farther forward in the vessel than a vertical plane located at 5 percent of the vessel's loadline length abaft the forward side of the stem. The space must not be located totally below the deepest load waterline.
- (b)Bulkheads separating accommodations from machinery spaces, paint lockers, storerooms, washrooms, and toilet facilities are to be odorproof.
- (c)All quarters are to be properly drained, odorproof and protected from heat and noise.
- (d)Each person on board must have a separate berth which is of sufficient size and generally clear of all pipes, ventilation ducts and other installations.
- (e)Each bunk must be constructed of wood, fiberglass or metal. If fitted with a mattress, the mattress must be covered with material which has been treated to give it fire resistant properties and which will provide the mattress with a reasonably smooth surface. There must be a minimum vertical distance between bunks of 24 inches.
- (f)A means of access must be provided for each berthing arrangement where the upper berth is more than 60 inches above the deck.
- (g)The construction and arrangement must allow free and unobstructed access to each berth. Each berth must be immediately adjacent to an aisle leading to a means of escape from the living area.
- (h)A properly arranged hammock may be used as a berth.