The requirements between shipboard environment and the psychological,physiological and sociological needs of shipboard personnel.

1. HABITABILITY
• DEFINITION. HABITABILITY IS DEFINED AS THE INTERACTION
BETWEEN THE SHIPBOARD ENVIRONMENT AND THE
PSYCHOLOGICAL, PHYSIOLOGICAL AND SOCIOLOGICAL
NEEDS OF SHIPBOARD PERSONNEL.
• IMPORTANCE. HABITABILITY HAS VITAL BEARING ON:-
– FIGHTING EFFICIENCY
– MORAL
– MENTAL ALERTNESS
– PREPAREDNESS

2. HABITABILITY
• PARAMETERS.
– PROVISION OF ADEQUATE VENTILATION AND CIRCULATION OF CONDITIONED
AIR WHERE NECESSARY.
– SANITARY FACILITIES AND LAUNDRY ARRANGEMENTS
– LIGHTING/ILLUMINATION- PREFERABLY AS NATURAL AS POSSIBLE.
– MESSING AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES.
– NOISE CONTROL.
• BASIC HABITABILITY REQUIREMENTS : SCALES OF VARIOUS
FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED IS LAID DOWN IN INBR 308/67.
– AREA OF ANTE ROOM, WARD ROOM, DINING HALLS.
– SCALES OF SANITARY FACILITIES, BATHROOMS ETC.
– SCALES OF BAGGAGE STORES, CLEANING GEAR STORES ETC.
– ALLOWANCES OF HOT AND COLD FRESH WATER.
– STANDARD FOR VENTILATION, AIR CONDITIONING, HEATING & LIGHTING.

3. HABITABILITY
 HABITABILITY IMPROVEMENTS ON BOARD SHIP. IMPROVEMENTS IN
HABITABILITY CAN BE ACHIEVED BY THE JUDICIOUS COMBINATION OF
THE FOLLOWING:-
 LIVING AND SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS.
 AIR CONDITIONING FOR GREATER PHYSICAL COMFORT AND MENTAL
EFFICIENCY.
 LINING OF COMPARTMENTS/DECKHEADS/BULKHEADS WITH PLEASING
COLOURS.
 FLUORESCENT LIGHTING FOR GREATER COMFORT AND EFFICIENCY.
 LIVING SPACES FREE FROM FOOD PREPARATION AND CONSUMPTION.
 PROVISION OF ADEQUATE BUNKS TO CATER FOR ALL. STOWAGE SPACE FOR
BEDDING AND LOCKERS FOR PERSONAL EFFECTS FOR EVERY ONE ON BOARD
AS PER COMPLEMENT.
 INDIVIDUAL VENTILATION AND LIGHTING ON BUNKS.
 SMALL TABLES AND MORE COMFORTABLE CHAIRS FOR RECREATION.
 PROVISION OF LIBRARY AND READING ROOMS.
 PROVISION OF CLEANING GEAR EQUIPMENT VIZ. VACUUM CLEANERS,
POLISHING MACHINES ETC.

4. HABITABILITY
 ROLE OF SHIP STAFF IN MAINTAINING HABITABILITY.
 CARE IS TO BE TAKEN WHILE OPERATING DOORS/ HATCHES. THESE TO
BE KEPT CLOSED TO PREVENT A/C LOSSES AND RESULTANT LOAD ON
THE A/C PLANT.
 VENT. FLAPS IN TRUNKING NOT TO BE FIDDLED. THESE WILL BE
OPERATED BY CONCERNED STAFF WHEN REQUIRED.
 NO UNAUTHORIZED OPENINGS TO BE CUT/ INSPECTION COVERS OF
VENTILATION TRUNKING TO BE OPENED FOR OWN COMFORT. THIS
SELFISH ACTION WILL LEAD TO DEPRIVING OF AIR TO YOUR
COLLEAGUES AT OTHER LOCATIONS. FURTHER THIS WILL ALSO LEAD TO
UNBALANCING OF THE SYSTEM.
 THE DEFECTS OBSERVED TO BE REPORTED INSTANTLY TO THE
CONCERNED DEPARTMENT ON BOARD FOR AN EARLY RECTIFICATION.
 LIGHTING TO BE MAINTAINED TO AN OPTIMUM LEVEL. NO
UNAUTHORIZED HEAT GENERATING EQUIPMENT VIZ. EXTRA LIGHTS/
TOASTER ETC. TO BE USED IN THE COMPARTMENTS.
 NO ROUGH HANDLING/ TEMPERING WITH LIGHT FITTINGS AND OTHER
EQUIPMENTS VIZ. WATER COOLER, HOT CASE ETC.

5. HABITABILITY
ROLE OF SHIP STAFF IN MAINTAINING HABITABILITY.
NO SMOKING IN UNAUTHORIZED SPACES. THIS LEADS TO VITIATING OF
THE ENVIRONMENT ON BOARD.
COMPARTMENTS TO BE MAINTAINED NEAT AND CLEAN.
WET COMPARTMENTS TO BE KEPT DRY AS FAR AS POSSIBLE. DEFECTS
VIZ. LEAKING TAPS/ BLOCKED DRAINS ETC. TO BE REPORTED FOR AN
IMMEDIATE RECTIFICATION.
FURNITURE’S / FITTINGS/ FIXTURES NOT TO BE REMOVED FROM THEIR
RESPECTIVE LOCATIONS FOR SHORT TERM ACHIEVEMENTS. THIS LEADS
TO GAPING HOLES/ SCARES AT THEIR ORIGINAL PLACE OF FITMENT
BESIDES CAUSING INCONVENIENCE TO OTHERS.
DO NOT DRAG HEAVY EQUIPMENT / MACHINERY ON THE DECK FOR IT
WILL SPOIL THE TILING, DAMAGE UNDERLAY AND PRESENT AN UNSIGHTLY
APPEARANCE ETC.
DO NOT SPILL WATER IN LINED DECK; FOR IT WILL LEAD TO REMOVAL OF
UNDERLAY/ TILING.