The Men on Deck: Master, Mates and Crew, Their Duties and Responsibilities

by Felix Riesenberg

Discipline and cleanliness.

The master of every such steamship or other vessel is authorized to maintain good discipline and such habits of cleanliness among such passengers as will tend to the preservation and promotion of health, and to that end he shall cause such regulations as he may adopt for such purpose to be posted up on board the vessel, in a place or places accessible to such passengers, and shall keep the same so posted up during the voyage. The said master shall cause the compartments and spaces provided for, or occupied by, such passengers to be kept at all times in a clean and healthy condition, and to be, as often as may be necessary, disinfected with chloride of lime, or by some other equally efficient disinfectant. Whenever the state of the weather will permit, such passengers and their bedding shall be mustered on deck, and a clear and sufficient space on the main or any upper deck of the vessel shall be set apart, and so kept, for the use and exercise of such passengers during the voyage. For each neglect or violation of any of the provisions of this section the master of the vessel shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding two hundred and fifty dollars. (Sec. 6.)