Steering Systems

Question 1

How quickly should the rudder move from 35 PORT to 30 STBD?

Answer 1

not more than 28 s

Question 2

Autopilot track control

Answer 2

-Vessel kept on predetermined track.
-Uses GNSS input.

Question 3

Auto Pilot heading control

Answer 3

Course set by mariner.
Compared with input from Gyro compass.

Question 4

When to be in hand steering and how fast must you be able to switch to hand steering?

Answer 4

30 seconds

-Areas of high density
-Restricted visibility
-Critical ship manoeuvres, ie anchoring

Question 5

Modes of steering

Answer 5

Manual - Follow Up (Wheel)
Manual - NON Follow Up (Joystick)
Remote - (Bridge Wings)

Question 6

Steering gear testing and drills

Answer 6

See BPG Checklists

Every Watch
Before entering coastal / congested waters
Before departure (not more than 12hrs)
Emergency Steering Drills: <3 months

Question 7

Emergency steering

Answer 7

Each Vessel must have:
-means of steering independent from the main steering.
-comms between bridge and steering flat to allow order and response of helm orders

Question 8

HELM orders

Answer 8

usual:
midships, stbd 5, port 10, hard a stbd, ease to five.

unusual:
Meet her : check swing of vessels head in a turn
Steady: reduce swing as rapidly as possible
Steady as she goes: Steer a steady course on the compass heading indicated at the time of order. helmsman : “Steady on….”