Steering systems

Question 1

What does SOLAS CH.2 Reg.29 state with regards to steering gear?

(3)

Answer 1

Every ship shall have main and aux steering system

Should be able to steer at full speed

35• from one side to 30• on the other no more than 28 seconds

Question 2

AUTOPILOT

2 control modes:

Answer 2

Track control mode
Follows track, GPS input

Heading control mode
Heading according to Gyro input
Rudder input to bring ship onto course

Question 3

Time and 3 situations to switch to hand steering:

Answer 3

Within 30 seconds.
Qualified helmsman immediately available.

• Restricted vis.
• High traffic density
• Manoeuvring (anchoring, docking)

Question 4

4 Autopilot settings:

Answer 4

Rudder:
Degrees rudder will move to correct every degree of heading error

Counter rudder:
Amount of rudder applied to counter adjustment straighten onto course

Weather:
Time delay so ship naturally recovers from influence of yaw

Rudder limit:
Limit to rudder angle applied

Question 5

AUTOPILOT safe operation by OOW:

(3)

Answer 5

Effective lookout
Familiar with changeover procedure
Label all functions

Question 6

Explain manual steering follow-up and non-follow-up mode:

Answer 6

Follow-up: (wheel)
Rudder moves with the wheel

Non-follow-up: (joystick)
Separate from ships wheel,
eg. push joystick to 10 port, rudder will stay at 10 port and joystick will bounce back

Question 7

Remote mode autopilot:

Answer 7

Bridge wings controlled by NFU controls

Question 8

When should steering tests be done?

(5)

Answer 8

Every watch

Prior to entering coastal / congested waters

Pre departure checks

Changeover procedures (regularly as appropriate)

Emergency steering drill (atleast every 3 months)

Question 9

Tests to be done every watch:

Answer 9

Rudder response to manual steering

Question 10

Prior to entering coastal / congested waters:

(2)

Answer 10

Comms between bridge and steering compartment.

Rudder response to manual steering

Question 11

Pre departure checks:

(6)

Answer 11

Steering gear (rudder movement: time) + leaks

Remote steering (wings)

Remote steering gear control system failure alarms

ALL rudder angle indicators

Auxiliary steering gear

Emergency power supply

Question 12

4 changeover procedures:

Answer 12

Track mode ~ Heading mode

Heading mode ~ hand steering

Hand steering ~ NFU mode

Hand steering ~ Emergency steering

Question 13

Max rudder angle?

Answer 13

35•

Question 14

Helm orders:

“Meet her”

Answer 14

Orders repeated by helmsman.

Meet her: counter rudder to bring onto course.