XII. Provisions for Crew
Sleeping Quarters.—
The Seamen's Act provides that on all vessels (except yachts, pilot boats and vessels of less than 100 tons) whose construction is thereafter begun, there shall be a crew space of not more than 100 cubic feet or not less than 16 square feet for each seaman lodged therein; also that each seaman shall have a separate berth, and that not more than one berth shall be placed above another; that the seamen's quarters shall be properly lighted, drained, heated, ventilated, constructed and protected and shut off; and that crew space shall be kept free from goods and stores. This law increased the crew quarters from 72 cubic feet and 12 square feet in the case of steamships, and from 100 cubic feet in the case of sailing vessels. It is noted that the Seamen's Act applies to all merchant vessels of the United States, in this respect differing from the earlier acts which applied only to seagoing vessels.
Washing Places.—
The Seamen's Act requires that all merchant vessels whose construction is begun after its passage, having more than ten men on deck, shall have a light, clean and properly ventilated washing place, at least one washing outfit for every two men of the watch, and a separate washing place for the fire-room and engine-room men, if more than ten in number, which shall be large enough to accommodate at least one-sixth of them at the same time, and shall have hot and cold water supply and a sufficient number of wash basins, sinks and shower baths.
Provisions Scale.—
Since 1790 the laws of the United States have specified a scale of provisions required to be carried upon vessels. With minor alterations included in the Seamen's Act, the present scale, with permissible substitutions, was fixed by law on December 21, 1898. Under this law seamen have the option of accepting the provisions offered or of demanding the legal scale, which is required to be inserted in all ship articles and to be posted in the galley and forecastle. The laws contain provisos for complaints to be made to the officer in command of the vessel or to the United States consular officer or Shipping Commissioner or chief officer of the customs, who has authority to take action to see that the deficiency is corrected, subject to a penalty for default.
For allowing the supply of provisions to be reduced below the legal scale during the voyage, except for unavoidable causes, compensation must be paid to every seaman according to the time of its continuance and in accordance with the scheduled allowances fixed by law.
Hospital Accommodations.—
In addition to crew space already referred to all merchant vessels which ordinarily make voyages of more than three days' duration and carry a crew of twelve or more seamen, are required to have a separate compartment for hospital purposes with at least one bunk for every twelve seamen, provided that not more than six bunks in all may be required.
Warm Room and Woolen Clothing.—
Every vessel bound on a voyage over fourteen days in length must, in addition to a slop chest, provide for each seaman one suit of woolen clothing, as also a "safe and warm room" for cold weather.