Article 18

     1. No hatch cover or beam shall be used unless  it  is  of  sound
construction,  of  adequate  strength for the use to which it is to be
put and properly maintained.
     2. Hatch covers handled with the aid of a lifting appliance shall
be  fitted  with  readily  accessible  and  suitable  attachments  for
securing the slings or other lifting gear.
     3. Where hatch covers and beams  are  not  interchangeable,  they
shall  be  kept  plainly  marked  to  indicate the hatch to which they
belong and their position therein.
     4. Only  an  authorised  person (whenever practicable a member of
the ship`s crew) shall be permitted to open  or  close  power-operated
hatch covers; the hatch covers shall not be opened or closed while any
person is liable to be injured by the operation of the covers.
     5. The  provisions  of  paragraph  4 of this Article shall apply,
mutatis mutandis, to power-operated ship`s equipment such as a door in
the  hull  of  a  ship,  a  ramp,  a  retractable  car deck or similar
equipment.