1.1

A number of lives have been lost and serious injury caused by the incorrect operation of power-operated watertight doors.

1.2

In order to reduce the risk of injury to personnel passing through watertight doors some ships have central control units located on the navigating bridge which have two operating positions, one marked 'local control' and the other 'doors closed'. Under normal conditions and potentially hazardous situations the operating condition is set to 'local control'. The 'doors closed' position is only used in emergencies and for drill or testing periods.

1.3

When the bridge central control unit is set at 'local control', any watertight door can be locally opened and locally closed without automatic closure of 279 the door. Since closure of the door requires deliberate action the risk of a person being trapped is very much reduced.

1.4

The 'doors closed' mode will also permit doors to be opened locally, but the doors automatically reclose upon release of the local control mechanism.

1.5

Accidents have occurred when crew members...