Steering Gear and Steering Systems

Question 1

When would you consider switching to manual steering? Why should it be considered?
What else could be done to increase ships rudder response time?

Answer 1

• Res Vis
• High traffic density
• Hazardous nav situations
• ARR / DEP
• Any failure in steering system
  Manual steering has a faster response time, therefore, is better when quick manoeuvres are required
  Use both emergency and primary steering pumps

Question 2

1) When should the manual steering be tested?
2) When should the steering gear be tested?
3) How often should an emergency steering gear drill be conducted?

Answer 2

1) At least once a watch
2) Within 12 hours of the ship leaving port or ferries with regular service less than 24hr can do once a week
3) Emergency steering gear drill should be carried out every 3 months

Question 3

What are the three types of steering control and describe the difference?

Answer 3

• Follow Up: Helmsman is able to change the rudder angle to a preset angle. RUDDER WILL FOLLOW THE WHEEL
• Non-Follow Up: Ship can be steered manually by a joystick or buttons. RUDDER WILL NOT FOLLOW THE WHEEL
• Auto: electronically maintains chosen course and counteracts movement of the ship.

Question 4

What are the different control features of the autopilot?

Answer 4

• Rudder Limit: sets a max angle the rudder can turn by
• Weather helm: Sensitivity of correction when the ship goes off course. In heavier seas, you want to allow for natural yaw and the ship to come back onto course naturally. puts less strain on rudders and steering gear
• Permanent helm: If you are being set by wind or sea you could set a permanent counter helm to counteract this.
• Off-course alarm

Question 5

How would you conduct a pre-departure steering gear test?

Answer 5

1. Contact the engineer on watch and check he is ready to do a steering gear test
2. He would then go down the steering flat and do a visual inspection and call me up on the emergency steering flat comms
3. Tested using wheel first we went from 35° on one side to 30° on the other in no more than 28 seconds for each pump.
4. Then tested the ROT turn indicators were reading the same.
5. Then tested for main steering pump failure (emergency kicked in)
6. Then tested steering in all positions on the bridge

Question 6

Considerations when changing from auto to manual steering?

Answer 6

• Helmsman available with eyesight adjusted
• Changeover supervised by OOW
• Rudder shall be at midships
• Course required repeated back to OOW by the helmsman
• Helmsman to check if the rudder is responding correctly