The mess room

The ship’s dining room.

As a supply vessel, the MT Oksøy was built for a crew of 13, but after a short while this was reduced to 12.

The ship was furnished with two mess rooms, one for the four officers and one for the the crew. The mess rooms were separated by a wall. The chef and the galley boy could reach both mess rooms from the galley. After a while, the wall was removed and the two mess rooms were converted into one.

Hierarchy was common on most ships. Crew and officers ate in separate mess rooms. The officers’ cabins were larger and often the officer’s mess was more smartly furnished. The way in which the food was served might also differ.

The mess could also be used as a common room and for socialising. Crew members might play cards there, watch TV or take part in other common activities in their sparetime.