The accommodation area is the part of the ship which is used for cabins, dining areas
and other facilities of the crew.
According to SOLAS, the ship's accommodation area is used for
During the early days of ships with sails, the forward part of the ship was used as living
quarters for sailors. The fo’c’sle was the home to the crew where they would sleep
in bunks or slung hammocks.
Usually, there was no seating arrangement in this area. Meals were often served on deck,
and the sailors would usually only retreat inside during foul weather.
It is extremely important that crew members are provided with proper accommodation facilities
to enhance their overall safety, productivity, well-being and morale.
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The accommodation area is usually in the stern part of the ship. It is close to the steering
and navigation areas and also has access to the engine room.
Most of the people misunderstand this structure on a ship as accommodation (showing the superstructure
in the video). But in fact it is called the superstructure which houses the accommodation
area along with other necessary spaces such as navigation bridge, air conditioning room
and Galley of the ship etc.
The crew and officers have separate living spaces usually on different levels so that
they can eat, sleep, work and socialise while away at sea.
The accommodation area can be accessed from both port and stbd sides of the ship using
weathertight doors, as ships can be berthed along any side.
The accommodation and other spaces in the superstructure are spread across different
decks (levels) which can be accessed through alleyways.
Most of the decks have weathertight doors at extreme ends, which are used as the nearest
emergency exit which usually opens to the muster deck or boat deck.
The entry level deck comprises the ship's office where the chief officer and other deck
officers interact with cargo planners, port representatives etc. There is a cargo control
room, fire control and storage room, stevedore cabin etc. in this level
A Changing locker room is also provided where the crew can change and store their work outfits
post duty hours.
Depending upon the size of the ship, the access to the engine room can be from this level
or from the deck below.
The below level may also consist of the cold storage and food storage compartments i.e.
veg room, which is kept at a temperature of ~ 5 degree C, a meat room to keep frozen meat
at ~-10 to -15 deg C and a fish room at -20 deg C
At the same level, the air conditioning plant for the accommodation is usually located which
supplies temperature control air to all levels through the system of pipes and trunks.
The above level has the galley and mess room for officers and rating. To provide ease of
accessibility, the galley is usually located at the centre and officers' mess and crew
mess are on both sides of the galley.
Recreational rooms for officers and crew can be located in the same deck or sometimes combined
with the mess room in case of space constraints.
The deck above it can have the cabins for crew and ratings and the next level alleway
will have operation level officers cabin.
The laundry room for crew is located at the level where there are maximum number of crew
cabins, similarly, the officer laundry room is located at the officer cabin level
The officers and crew cabin will usually have a bed, chair, table, and a washroom attached
to it. The size of the cabin may change depending on the ship size as officers' cabins are usually
bigger than those of the ratings.
One of the crew accommodation decks will have a hospital room which is also known as sick
bay. They are located at the corner of the alleway to maintain enough separation from
other cabins.
The Top two levels will have cabins of management level officers, which are bigger in size and
usually have a day room apart from the sleeping quarters.
All the levels inside the accommodation can be accessed by using an elevator or stairs.
Each level of the superstructure is provided with a fire door.
The captain and chief engineer’s cabin utilises a larger part of the accommodation region
which includes sleeping quarters, dining saloon, office and day room. In the same level few
spare cabins are provided for owners or superintendent when they are onboard.
The stairs to go to the bridge is located in this level so that the Master can access
the bridge at the earliest when required.
The accommodation area displays with different notifications, signs and SOLAS posters to
ensure crew are aware of the regulations and requirements at all times.
The accommodation on a cargo ship is entirely different from a cruise ship and the design
of the ship’s accommodation is arranged as per the design of the cargo space of the
ship.