Hull Construction Regulations (C.R.C., c. 1431)

20. In every ship side scuttles, gangway ports, cargo ports, coaling ports and other openings in the shell plating above the margin line, and their means of closing, shall be of efficient design and construction and of sufficient strength having regard to the spaces in which they are fitted and their positions relative to the deepest subdivision load water line, and to the intended service of the ship.

21. In every ship the bulkhead deck or a deck above the bulkhead deck shall be weathertight; all openings in a weathertight deck shall have coamings of adequate height and strength and shall be provided with efficient and rapid means of closing so as to make them weathertight; freeing ports or scuppers shall be provided for clearing such deck of water under all weather conditions.

• 22. (1) Every ship shall be marked on its sides amidships with the subdivision load lines assigned to it by the Board; the marks shall consist of horizontal lines 25 mm in breadth, and 230 mm in length in the case of a ship that is a load line ship and 305 mm in length in the case of any other ship; the marks shall be painted in white or yellow on a dark ground or in black on a light ground, and shall also be cut in or centre-punched on iron or steel ships, and cut into the planking on wood ships.

• (2) The subdivision load lines shall be identified with the letter C, measuring about 115 mm by 75 mm; the identifying letters and numerals shall in every case be painted and cut or centre-punched, as the case may be, on the sides of the ship in the same manner as the lines to which they relate, and

  • (a) in the case of ships of Class I and Class II with consecutive numbers beginning from the deepest subdivision load line that shall be marked C₁;

  • (b) in the case of ships of Class III and Class IV,

    • (i) if there is only one subdivision load line, it shall be identified with the letter C, and

    • (ii) if there is more than one subdivision load line, the subdivision load lines shall be identified with the letter C and with consecutive letters beginning from the deepest subdivision load line, which shall be marked C_A;

  • (c) where in the case of any ship the subdivision load line marks assigned are located below the lowest of the ordinary load lines, the latter load lines, if the owner so desires, need not be placed on the ship’s sides; for such cases the ship’s sides shall be marked with the deck line, the disc, the horizontal line through the centre of the disc, the subdivision load line or lines and the fresh water load line; the fresh water load line mark shall be placed at the same distance above the disc as if the disc were in its normal position; the fresh water mark shall be designated by the letter F at its after end and the forward end of this load line and that of the subdivision load line or lines shall be connected by a vertical line; the centre of the disc shall be placed at the level of the top edge of the highest subdivision load line; and

  • (d) in the case of ships that are not required to have ordinary load lines assigned, the subdivision line or lines shall be marked directly under the deck line and if more than one subdivision load line is marked on the ship’s sides the forward ends shall be joined by a vertical line.

• (3) In the case of a ship of Class III, IV, VI or VII that is 150 tons, gross tonnage, or over, a combined subdivision load line and inspection certificate shall be issued over the signature of the steamship inspector or inspectors concerned with the inspection of the ship.