This document outlines requirements for testing main and auxiliary steering gear before departure, including operating all components and controls. It also requires emergency steering drills every 3 months to practice procedures. Officers must be trained in steering gear operation and maintenance, and records must be kept of tests and drills conducted. Ships on short voyages may have reduced testing requirements of at least once a week.

1. Steering GearSteering Gear
SOLAS RegulationsSOLAS Regulations

2. The main steering gear and rudder stock shall beThe main steering gear and rudder stock shall be
1. of adequate strength and capable of steering the1. of adequate strength and capable of steering the
ship at maximum ahead speed which shall beship at maximum ahead speed which shall be
demonstrated.demonstrated.
2. capable of putting the rudder from 35º on one2. capable of putting the rudder from 35º on one
side to 35º on the other side with the ship at itsside to 35º on the other side with the ship at its
deepest seagoing draught and running ahead atdeepest seagoing draught and running ahead at
maximum ahead speed and, under the samemaximum ahead speed and, under the same
conditions, from 35º on either side to 30º on theconditions, from 35º on either side to 30º on the
other side in not more than 28 secondsother side in not more than 28 seconds

3. 3. operated by power where necessary to meet3. operated by power where necessary to meet
the requirements of the paragraph 3.2 and inthe requirements of the paragraph 3.2 and in
case when the Administration requires acase when the Administration requires a
rudder stock of over 120mm diameter in wayrudder stock of over 120mm diameter in way
of the tiller, excluding strengthening forof the tiller, excluding strengthening for
navigation in ice; andnavigation in ice; and
4. so designed that they will not be damaged at4. so designed that they will not be damaged at
maximum astern speed; however, this designmaximum astern speed; however, this design
requirement need not be proved by trials atrequirement need not be proved by trials at
maximum astern speed and maximum ruddermaximum astern speed and maximum rudder
angle.angle.

4. The auxiliary steering gear shall be:The auxiliary steering gear shall be:
1. of adequate strength and capable of steering the1. of adequate strength and capable of steering the
ship at navigable speed and of being broughtship at navigable speed and of being brought
speedily into action in an emergency.speedily into action in an emergency.
2. capable of putting the rudder over from 15º on2. capable of putting the rudder over from 15º on
one side to 15º on the other side in not more thanone side to 15º on the other side in not more than
60 seconds with the ship at its deepest seagoing60 seconds with the ship at its deepest seagoing
draught and running ahead at one half of thedraught and running ahead at one half of the
maximum ahead service speed of 7 knots,maximum ahead service speed of 7 knots,
whichever is the greaterwhichever is the greater

5. 3. operated by power where necessary to meet3. operated by power where necessary to meet
the requirements of paragraph 4.2 and in anythe requirements of paragraph 4.2 and in any
case when the Administration requires acase when the Administration requires a
rudder stock of over 230mm diameter in wayrudder stock of over 230mm diameter in way
of the tiller, excluding strengthening forof the tiller, excluding strengthening for
navigation on ice.navigation on ice.

6. Main and auxiliary steering gear power unitsMain and auxiliary steering gear power units
shall beshall be
1. arranged to restart immediately when the1. arranged to restart immediately when the
power is restored after a power failure; andpower is restored after a power failure; and
2. capable of being brought into operation from a2. capable of being brought into operation from a
position on the navigation bridge. In the eventposition on the navigation bridge. In the event
of a power failure to anyone of the steeringof a power failure to anyone of the steering
gear power units, an audible and visual alarmgear power units, an audible and visual alarm
shall be given on the navigation bridge.shall be given on the navigation bridge.

7. A means of communication shall be providedA means of communication shall be provided
between the navigation bridge and the steeringbetween the navigation bridge and the steering
gear compartment.gear compartment.

8. The angular position of the rudderThe angular position of the rudder
shallshall
1. if the main steering gear is power-operated, be1. if the main steering gear is power-operated, be
indicated on the navigation bridge. The rudderindicated on the navigation bridge. The rudder
angle indication shall be independent of theangle indication shall be independent of the
steering gear control system;steering gear control system;
2. be recognizable in the steering gear compartment2. be recognizable in the steering gear compartment

9. Hydraulic power-operated steering gear shallHydraulic power-operated steering gear shall
be provided with the following:be provided with the following:
1. arrangements to maintain the cleanliness of the1. arrangements to maintain the cleanliness of the
hydraulic fluid taking into consideration the typehydraulic fluid taking into consideration the type
and design of the hydraulic system;and design of the hydraulic system;

10. 2. a low-level alarm for each hydraulic fluid reservoir to2. a low-level alarm for each hydraulic fluid reservoir to
give the earliest practicable indication of hydraulic fluidgive the earliest practicable indication of hydraulic fluid
leakage. Audible and visual alarms shall be given on theleakage. Audible and visual alarms shall be given on the
navigation bridge and in the machinery space where theynavigation bridge and in the machinery space where they
can be readily observed; andcan be readily observed; and
3. a fixed storage tank having sufficient capacity to recharge3. a fixed storage tank having sufficient capacity to recharge
at least one power actuating system including theat least one power actuating system including the
reservoir, where the main steering gear is required toreservoir, where the main steering gear is required to
power-operated. The storage tank shall be permanentlypower-operated. The storage tank shall be permanently
connected by piping in such a manner that the hydraulicconnected by piping in such a manner that the hydraulic
systems can be readily recharged from a position withinsystems can be readily recharged from a position within
the steering gear compartment and shall be provided withthe steering gear compartment and shall be provided with
a contents gauge.a contents gauge.

11. The steering gear compartmentsThe steering gear compartments
shall beshall be
1. readily accessible and, as far as practicable,1. readily accessible and, as far as practicable,
separated from machinery space; andseparated from machinery space; and
2. provided with suitable arrangements to ensure2. provided with suitable arrangements to ensure
working access to steering gear machinery andworking access to steering gear machinery and
controls. These arrangements shall includecontrols. These arrangements shall include
handrails and gratings or other non-sliphandrails and gratings or other non-slip
surfaces to ensure suitable working conditionssurfaces to ensure suitable working conditions
in the event of hydraulic fluid leakage.in the event of hydraulic fluid leakage.

12. Where the rudder stock is required to be over 230mmWhere the rudder stock is required to be over 230mm
diameter in way of the tiller, excluding strengthening fordiameter in way of the tiller, excluding strengthening for
navigation in ice, an alternative power supply, sufficientnavigation in ice, an alternative power supply, sufficient
at least to supply the steering gear power unit whichat least to supply the steering gear power unit which
complies with the requirements of paragraph 4.2 andcomplies with the requirements of paragraph 4.2 and
also its associated control system and the rudder anglealso its associated control system and the rudder angle
indicator, shall be provided automatically, within 45indicator, shall be provided automatically, within 45
seconds, either from the emergency source of electricseconds, either from the emergency source of electric
power or from an independent source of power locatedpower or from an independent source of power located
in the steering gear compartment. This independentin the steering gear compartment. This independent
source of power shall be used only for this purpose. Insource of power shall be used only for this purpose. In
every ship of 10,000 gross tonnage and upwards, theevery ship of 10,000 gross tonnage and upwards, the
alternative power supply shall have a capacity of at leastalternative power supply shall have a capacity of at least
30 minutes of continuous operation and in any other ship30 minutes of continuous operation and in any other ship
for at least 10 minutes.for at least 10 minutes.

13. Additional requirements:Additional requirements:
Means for indicating that the motors of electricMeans for indicating that the motors of electric
and electrohydraulic steering gear are runningand electrohydraulic steering gear are running
shall be installed on the navigation bridge andshall be installed on the navigation bridge and
at a suitable main machinery control position.at a suitable main machinery control position.

14. Each electric or electrohydraulic steering gearEach electric or electrohydraulic steering gear
comprising one or more power units shall becomprising one or more power units shall be
served by at least two exclusive circuits fedserved by at least two exclusive circuits fed
directly from the main switchboard; however,directly from the main switchboard; however,
one of the circuits may be supplied through theone of the circuits may be supplied through the
emergency switchboard. An auxiliary electric oremergency switchboard. An auxiliary electric or
electrohydraulic steering gear associated to oneelectrohydraulic steering gear associated to one
of the circuits supplying this main steering gear.of the circuits supplying this main steering gear.
The circuits supplying an electric orThe circuits supplying an electric or
electrohydraulic steering gear shall haveelectrohydraulic steering gear shall have
adequate rating for supplying all motors, whichadequate rating for supplying all motors, which
can be simultaneously connected to them andcan be simultaneously connected to them and
may be required to operate simultaneously.may be required to operate simultaneously.

15. Short circuit protection and an overload alarmShort circuit protection and an overload alarm
shall be provided for such circuits and motors.shall be provided for such circuits and motors.
Protection against excess current, includingProtection against excess current, including
starting current, if provided, shall be for not lessstarting current, if provided, shall be for not less
than twice the full load current of the motor orthan twice the full load current of the motor or
circuit so protected, shall be arranged to permitcircuit so protected, shall be arranged to permit
the passage of the appropriate starting currents.the passage of the appropriate starting currents.
Where a three-phase supply is used an alarmWhere a three-phase supply is used an alarm
shall be provided that will indicate failure ofshall be provided that will indicate failure of
anyone of the supply phases.anyone of the supply phases.
The alarms required is this paragraph shall beThe alarms required is this paragraph shall be
both audible and visual and shall be situated in aboth audible and visual and shall be situated in a
conspicuous position in the main machinery isconspicuous position in the main machinery is
normally controlled.normally controlled.

16. Regulation 25Regulation 25
Operation of main source of electricalOperation of main source of electrical
power and steering gearpower and steering gear
In areas where navigation demands specialIn areas where navigation demands special
caution, ships shall have more than onecaution, ships shall have more than one
steering gear power unit in operation whensteering gear power unit in operation when
such units are capable of simultaneoussuch units are capable of simultaneous
operation.operation.

17. Regulation 26Regulation 26
Steering gear: Testing and drillsSteering gear: Testing and drills

18. Within 12 hours before departure, the ship'sWithin 12 hours before departure, the ship's
steering gear shall be checked and tested bysteering gear shall be checked and tested by
the ship's crew. The test procedure shallthe ship's crew. The test procedure shall
include, where applicable, the operation ofinclude, where applicable, the operation of
the following:-the following:-
1.11.1 the main steering gear;the main steering gear;
1.21.2 the auxiliary steering gear;the auxiliary steering gear;
1.31.3 the remote steering gear control systems;the remote steering gear control systems;

19. 1.41.4 the steering gear positions located on thethe steering gear positions located on the
navigation bridge;navigation bridge;
1.51.5 the emergency power supply;the emergency power supply;
1.61.6 the rudder angle indicators in relation tothe rudder angle indicators in relation to
thethe actual position of the rudder;actual position of the rudder;
1.71.7 the remote steering gear control systemthe remote steering gear control system
power failure alarms;power failure alarms;
1.81.8 the steering gear power unit failure alarms;the steering gear power unit failure alarms;
1.91.9 automatic isolating arrangements and otherautomatic isolating arrangements and other
automatic equipmentautomatic equipment

20. The checks and tests shall include:The checks and tests shall include:
2.12.1 the full movement of the rudder accordingthe full movement of the rudder according
to the required capabilities of the steeringto the required capabilities of the steering
gear;gear;
2.22.2 a visual inspection for the steering gear anda visual inspection for the steering gear and
its connecting linkage; andits connecting linkage; and
2.32.3 the operation of the means ofthe operation of the means of
communication between the navigationcommunication between the navigation
bridge and the steering gear compartment.bridge and the steering gear compartment.

21. 3.13.1 Simple operating instructions with blockSimple operating instructions with block
diagram showing the change-overdiagram showing the change-over
procedures for remote steering gear controlprocedures for remote steering gear control
systems and steering gear power units shallsystems and steering gear power units shall
permanently displayed on the navigationpermanently displayed on the navigation
bridge and in the steering compartment.bridge and in the steering compartment.
3.23.2 All ships' officers concerned with theAll ships' officers concerned with the
operation and/or maintenance of steeringoperation and/or maintenance of steering geargear
shall be familiar with the operation ofshall be familiar with the operation of thethe
steering systems fitted on the ship andsteering systems fitted on the ship and withwith
the procedures for changing from onethe procedures for changing from one
system to another.system to another.

22. 4.4. In addition to the routine checks and testsIn addition to the routine checks and tests
prescribed in paragraphs 1 and 2,prescribed in paragraphs 1 and 2,
emergency steering drills shall takeemergency steering drills shall take place atplace at
least once every three months inleast once every three months in order toorder to
practice emergency steeringpractice emergency steering procedures.procedures.
These drills shall includeThese drills shall include direct control withindirect control within
the steering gearthe steering gear compartment, thecompartment, the
communicationscommunications procedure with theprocedure with the
navigation bridge and,navigation bridge and, where applicable, thewhere applicable, the
operation ofoperation of alternative power supplies.alternative power supplies.

23. 5.5. The Administration may waive theThe Administration may waive the
requirements to carry out the checks andrequirements to carry out the checks and teststests
prescribed in paragraphs 1 and 2 forprescribed in paragraphs 1 and 2 for shipsships
which regularly engage on shortwhich regularly engage on short duration.duration.
Such ships shall carry out theseSuch ships shall carry out these checkschecks
and tests at least once a week.and tests at least once a week.

24. 6.6. The date upon which the checks and testsThe date upon which the checks and tests
prescribed in paragraph 1 and 2 are carriedprescribed in paragraph 1 and 2 are carried
out and the date and detailsout and the date and details of emergencyof emergency
steering drills carried out under paragraphsteering drills carried out under paragraph
4, shall be recorded.4, shall be recorded.

25. SummarySummary
Requirements for testing steering gear prior toRequirements for testing steering gear prior to
departure.departure.
Requirements for instructions.Requirements for instructions.
Officers competence in steering gearOfficers competence in steering gear
operation/maintenance.operation/maintenance.
Reduced requirements for ships on shortReduced requirements for ships on short
voyages.voyages.
Recording of tests and drills.Recording of tests and drills.