Steering systems

Question 1

How long should it take you to go from 35° port rudder to 30° stbd rudder?

Answer 1

28 seconds

Question 2

When should you be in hand steering? (7)

Answer 2

High traffic density
Restricted visibility
Critical manoeuvring points
Anchoring - & mooring points
Pilot boat approaching / leaving
Failure of navigational equipment
Helicopter operations

Question 3

How would a helm order conversation look like?

Answer 3

“Starboard 10”
- Starboard 10, Sir
´When boat has changed aspect´
“Meet her”
- Meet her, Sir
“Steady on 150”
- Steady on 150, Sir
´Once steadied´
- Steady on 150, Sir

Question 4

What are the tests of the steering system? (3)

Answer 4

• Confirm that the full rudder movement matches the required capabilities of the steering gear
• Check the timing of rudder movement from hard-over to hard-over, using each steering gear power unit singly and together, to make sure it is consistent with previous tests
• Visually inspect the steering gear and linkages for leaks or damage.

Question 5

What are the pre-departure steering system checks? Tell it as a story

Answer 5

Has to be done within 12H of arrival / departure

I would call the engineers:
*They are going to test the emergency communications from the steering flat
*They will be checking signs of leakage and correct operation, local controls
*They will check for full operation from port to starboard and monitor what we are doing from the bridge
*They will check isolation valves, alarms and emergency stops

On the bridge:
*We are gonna use both pumps separately and together, testing follow up and non-follow up
*We are gonna check our rudder angle indicator (and rate of turn indicator if at sea)
*With our stopwatch we will test hard over to hard over response time to match previous tests and not exceed 28 seconds

After testing from the bridge, we are gonna the exactly the same from both wingstations
After testing we will make a separate log entry however

Question 6

What would you check every watch on your steering system?

Answer 6

Rudder response to manual steering

From all bridge positions,

using each steering gear power unit both separately and together.

Question 7

What is the changeover procedure when testing the steering systems?

Answer 7

Track control - Heading control - Follow up - Non-follow up - Emergency Steering

Question 8

What are the different modes of steering?

Answer 8

Follow up (Rudder follows the wheel)
Non-follow up (tiller goes back but rudder stays)
Remote (wingstations)
Autopilot
Emergency steering

Question 9

How long should it maximum take you to go from autopilot to hand steering?

Answer 9

30 seconds

Question 10

How often should a emergency steering drill be conducted?

Answer 10

Every 3 months

Question 11

Autopilot settings?

Answer 11

Rudder - Sets the rudder to move a specific number of degrees for each degree of heading error.

Counter Rudder - Adjusts the opposite helm based on prevailing conditions.

Rudder Limit - Limits the rudder angle applied automatically.

Weather - Delays rudder commands, letting the ship naturally recover from yaw before adjusting.

Question 12

How does rheostats work? Follow-up

Answer 12

Rheostats control the speed and movement of the rudder.

By adjusting the electrical resistance, rheostats change the amount of power sent to the steering motors.

Allowing precise control of the rudder’s position and speed.

Which helps steer the ship smoothly.

Question 13

How does non-follow up work? Technical detail

Answer 13

It bypasses the rheostats

Question 14

Switching from hand steering to autopilot?

Answer 14

Should be posted next to steering console

1. Helm amidships
2. Switch over to heading control
3. Monitor that it is working
4. Switch off one pump if its procedure
5. Set alarms as per masters preferences
6. Log in book
7. Continuously monitor autopilot