§ 18. Mr. A. M. SAMUELasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his experts consider that the use of loose wooden covers and tarpaulins as covers of hatchways in cargo vessels endanger the safety of the vessels in heavy weather; and, if such is the case, will he take steps to compel the use of watertight steel hatchway covers?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMI am advised that wooden hatch covers of sufficient strength and properly fitted and secured are quite safe.
Apart from tankers, in which the hatches are small, there is very little experience of the use of steel hatchway covers. They are known to have certain disadvantages, and their compulsory use could not wisely be required.