BCM BASICS - HELMSMAN COMMANDS Flashcards
RUDDER ADMINSHIPS
Place rudder a zero degrees
(RIGHT/LEFT) STANDARD RUDDER
Apply ordered rudder. Standard Rudder is amount of rudder it takes to turn a ship on it’s tactical diameter. Varies from ship to ship, usually commonly 20°.
(RIGHT/LEFT) ___° RUDDER
Apply ordered rudder, followed by “ Steady on ___° “ If no course is specified, helmsman shall call out heading at 10 degree increments while turning, until final course is ordered.
INCREASE YOUR RUDDER (RIGHT/LEFT) __°
Increase the rudder angle the amount specified to cause the ship to turn more rapidly. This order may be followed by a new course for the helmsman to steer or another rudder command. If no course is specified the helmsman shall call out the heading at 10 degree increments until a course is ordered by the conning officer.
“EASE” YOUR RUDDER (RIGHT/LEFT)
Decrease the rudder angle by half the amount currently applied or by the amount ordered. This order may be followed by a new course for the helmsman to steer or another rudder command. If no course is specified the helmsman shall call out the heading at 10 degree increments until a course is ordered by the conning officer.
“MEET HER”
Use the rudder as necessary to check the swing of the ship without steadying on any specific course.
STEADY/STEADY AS SHE GOES
Steer the course on which the ship is currently headed or the ordered course. If the ship is turning and the command STEADY or STEADY AS SHE GOES is given, the helmsman notes the
heading and brings the ship back to the heading. The helmsman should then reply “STEADY; COURSE ###.”
“SHIFT” YOUR RUDDER
Move the rudder to the same angle in the opposite direction from where it is currently ordered. This order may be given only when a specific rudder angle is in effect.
“NOTHING TO THE..” (RIGHT/LEFT) OF ___°
Steer nothing to the right (left) of the course specified.
“HOW’S YOUR RUDDER”
This is a query from the conning officer to ascertain the current rudder placement. The helmsman replies, “MY RUDDER IS RIGHT(LEFT) ## DEGREES.”
“MARK” YOUR HEAD
Respond “MARK ###.” A command to the helmsman to state the heading of the ship at the moment the command was given.
“COMMAND!”
Respond “MARK ###.” A command to the helmsman to state the heading of the ship at the moment the command was given.
“STEER ON __”
The helmsman steers on a range or object identified by the conning officer.
“MIND YOUR HELM”
A command issued by the Conning Officer, CO, Officer of the Deck (if separate), or the Navigator to the Helmsman to pay closer attention to his/her steering.
“SALLY YOUR RUDDER”
Testing the range over motion and response.
