Steering Systems

Question 1

What SOLAS regulation covers steering gear requirements?

Answer 1

SOLAS II-1/29

Question 2

What is the rudder movement requirement under SOLAS II-1/29?

Answer 2

35° → 35° both sides.

35° to 30° opposite side ≤ 28 sec.

Question 3

Why must ships carry both main and auxiliary steering gear?

Answer 3

Must not be rendered inoperative by failure of the other.

Question 4

How fast must a rudder move hard-over to hard-over?

Answer 4

At max ahead service speed.

Question 5

What are the two main autopilot modes?

Answer 5

Track Control System and Heading Control System.

Question 6

When must you switch to hand steering within 30 sec?

Answer 6

In high-density areas, restricted visibility, and critical manoeuvres (anchoring).

Question 7

What does the rudder limit control do on autopilot?

Answer 7

Limits the maximum angle applied.

Question 8

Explain counter rudder control.

Answer 8

Applies opposite helm.

Question 9

What does the ‘weather’ setting do on autopilot?

Answer 9

Delays rudder to counter yaw.

Question 10

How often should autopilot be tested manually?

Answer 10

Once per watch.

Question 11

How often should manual steering be tested at sea?

Answer 11

Daily + before restricted waters.

Question 12

How often should emergency steering drills be conducted?

Answer 12

At least every 3 months.

Question 13

What must emergency steering drills include?

Answer 13

Comms with bridge & alternative power.

Question 14

What checks must be done on rudder movement?

Answer 14

Checked hard-over to hard-over.

Question 15

Explain piston type steering gear and its advantage.

Answer 15

Double hydraulic with automatic isolation on failure.

Question 16

What happens during oil leakage in piston steering gear?

Answer 16

Automatic isolation on failure.

Question 17

What alarms are required for steering gear?

Answer 17

Alarms for power unit failure.

Question 18

How is power unit failure managed?

Answer 18

Through automatic isolation.

Question 19

Why must officers know changeover procedures?

Answer 19

To ensure safe transition between steering modes.

Question 20

What independent means of steering is required?

Answer 20

Emergency steering.

Question 21

How is communication maintained between bridge and steering flat?

Answer 21

Essential comms are required.

Question 22

What is the purpose of alternative power supply in steering drills?

Answer 22

To ensure steering capability during drills.

Question 23

How do you change from automatic to manual steering?

Answer 23

By following the changeover procedures.

Question 24

How do you change from hand steering to NFU?

Answer 24

By setting the lever to the desired rudder angle.

Question 25

What must the helmsman do when receiving a helm order?

Answer 25

Repeat the order and acknowledge it.

Question 26

Give the meaning of 'Midships' order.

Answer 26

To position the rudder at the center.

Question 27

Give the meaning of 'Meet her'.

Answer 27

To adjust the vessel's heading to meet another.

Question 28

Give the meaning of 'Steady as she goes'.

Answer 28

To maintain the current course.

Question 29

What must the helmsman report if the ship does not respond?

Answer 29

Report that the vessel does not answer.

Question 30

What does SOLAS Chapter II-1 Regulation 29 require every ship to have for steering?

Answer 30

Every ship must have both a main steering gear and an auxiliary steering gear to the satisfaction of the Administration.

Question 31

How must the main and auxiliary steering gears be arranged according to SOLAS Regulation 29?

Answer 31

They must be arranged so that the failure of one does not render the other inoperative.

Question 32

What is required of all steering gear components and the rudder stock?

Answer 32

They must be of sound and reliable construction to the satisfaction of the Administration.

Question 33

What must the main steering gear and rudder stock be capable of regarding strength and operation?

Answer 33

They must be of adequate strength and capable of steering the ship at maximum ahead service speed, which must be demonstrated.

Question 34

What rudder movement must the steering gear be capable of achieving according to SOLAS Regulation 29?

Answer 34

It must be capable of putting the rudder over from 35° on one side to 35° on the other side with the ship at its deepest seagoing draught and maximum ahead service speed.

Question 35

Under the same conditions, what additional rudder movement performance must the steering gear meet?

Answer 35

It must be capable of moving the rudder from 35° on either side to 30° on the other side in not more than 28 seconds.

Question 36

How should rudder response to manual steering be checked?

Answer 36

It should be checked and confirmed from all bridge positions using each steering gear power unit singly and together.

Question 37

What must be verified between the bridge and the steering gear compartment?

Answer 37

Communications between the bridge and the steering gear compartment must be checked and confirmed.

Question 38

Which systems’ correct operation must be tested and confirmed during steering gear checks?

Answer 38

Main steering gear, Auxiliary steering gear, Remote steering gear control systems, Steering positions on the bridge, Emergency power supply, Rudder angle indicator repeaters, Remote steering gear control system power failure alarms, Steering gear power unit failure alarms, Automatic isolating arrangements and other automatic equipment.

Question 39

How often should emergency steering drills be carried out?

Answer 39

At least every three months.

Question 40

What should emergency steering drills include?

Answer 40

Direct control from within the steering gear compartment, Communication procedures with the bridge, Operation of alternative power supplies.

Question 41

What checks and tests should be performed during steering gear inspections?

Answer 41

Confirm full rudder movement matches steering gear requirements, Check rudder movement timing from hard-over to hard-over using each power unit singly and together, Visually inspect steering gear and linkages for leaks or damage.

Question 42

What are typical procedures that bridge team members should practice during manual steering tests?

Answer 42

Automatic track-keeping → Automatic heading control, Automatic heading control → Hand steering, Hand steering → Non-follow-up mode, Hand steering → Emergency steering.

Question 43

What is the purpose of regularly testing manual steering?

Answer 43

To allow bridge team members to practice procedures for changing over between different steering modes safely and efficiently.

Question 44

What should the helmsman do when receiving a wheel order?

Answer 44

Repeat the order and carry it out correctly and immediately.

Question 45

What must the officer of the watch ensure after giving a wheel order?

Answer 45

That the order is repeated, carried out correctly, and immediately.

Question 46

How long should all wheel orders be held?

Answer 46

Until countermanded.

Question 47

What should the helmsman do if the vessel does not answer the wheel?

Answer 47

Report it immediately to the officer of the watch.

Question 48

What question should be asked if there is concern that the helmsman is inattentive?

Answer 48

"What is your heading?"

Question 49

How should the helmsman respond when asked for heading confirmation?

Answer 49

"My heading is ... degrees."

Question 50

What does the helm order 'Midships' mean?

Answer 50

Rudder to be held in the fore and aft position.

Question 51

What does 'Port five' or 'Starboard five' mean?

Answer 51

5° of port or starboard rudder to be held.

Question 52

What does 'Port ten' or 'Starboard ten' mean?

Answer 52

10° of port or starboard rudder to be held.

Question 53

What does 'Port fifteen' or 'Starboard fifteen' mean?

Answer 53

15° of port or starboard rudder to be held.

Question 54

What does 'Port twenty' or 'Starboard twenty' mean?

Answer 54

20° of port or starboard rudder to be held.

Question 55

What does 'Port twenty-five' or 'Starboard twenty-five' mean?

Answer 55

25° of port or starboard rudder to be held.

Question 56

What does 'Hard-a-port' or 'Hard-a-starboard' mean?

Answer 56

Rudder to be held fully over to port or starboard.

Question 57

What does 'Nothing to port' or 'Nothing to starboard' mean?

Answer 57

Avoid allowing the vessel’s head to go to port or starboard.

Question 58

What does 'Meet her' mean?

Answer 58

Check the swing of the vessel’s head in a turn.

Question 59

What does 'Steady' mean?

Answer 59

Reduce the swing of the vessel’s head as rapidly as possible.

Question 60

What does 'Ease to five / ten / fifteen / twenty' mean?

Answer 60

Reduce rudder angle to 5°, 10°, 15°, or 20° and hold.

Question 61

What does 'Steady as she goes' mean?

Answer 61

Steer a steady course on the compass heading indicated at the time of the order.

Question 62

What should the helmsman do after receiving 'Steady as she goes'?

Answer 62

Repeat the order, call out the heading, and when steady, report "Steady on ...".

Question 63

What does the order 'Keep the buoy/mark/beacon on port (or starboard) side' mean?

Answer 63

Maintain the buoy, mark, or beacon on the specified side of the vessel.

Question 64

What does the order 'Report if she does not answer the wheel' mean?

Answer 64

The helmsman must inform the officer of the watch immediately if the ship does not respond to the helm.

Question 65

What does 'Finished with wheel, no more steering' mean?

Answer 65

Steering is no longer required.

Question 66

How should a course to be steered by compass be ordered?

Answer 66

State the wheel direction followed by each numeral separately, including zero.

Question 67

Give an example of a course order to port.

Answer 67

"Port, steer one eight two" (182°).

Question 68

Give an example of a course order to starboard.

Answer 68

"Starboard, steer zero eight two" (082°).

Question 69

What should the helmsman do upon receiving a course order, for example 182°?

Answer 69

Repeat the order, bring the vessel round steadily, and when steady, call out "Steady on one eight two".

Question 70

What should the officer of the watch do after the helmsman reports "Steady on ..."?

Answer 70

Acknowledge the helmsman's reply.

Question 71

What is the correct way to order steering on a visual reference?

Answer 71

"Steer on ... buoy / mark / beacon."

Question 72

What should the person giving the visual steering order do after the helmsman repeats it?

Answer 72

Acknowledge the helmsman's reply.