The document provides an overview of steering gear systems on ships, detailing their types, components, and operational protocols. It outlines the importance of both main and auxiliary steering gears, the mechanisms by which they function, and safety measures required for operation. Additionally, it emphasizes the necessity of regular inspections and emergency drills to ensure the effectiveness of steering systems.

2. Steering
Gear

3. •A Steering Gear is the equipment provided
on ships to turn the ship to left (Port side) or
to right (Starboard side) while in motion
during sailing.
•All the ships are to be provided with, an
efficient main steering gear, an auxiliary
steering gear and, except for very small ships,
the main steering gear should be power
operated.
3

4. 4
Manually operated, mechanical Steering Gears were
in use during sailing ship days. Later on, after the onset
of steam engines, mechanized gears were used.
Modern ships use all very sophisticated Steering Gear
systems which could fall in either of the categories:
1.Fully hydraulic type
2.Electro-hydraulic type
3.Fully electric type
4.Mechanic Type ( Small Boats only )

5. Chain And Box
A wide variety of chain and box installations make use of
automotive parts such as shafts, universal joints and truck
steering boxes. These systems require periodic inspection and
lubrication. The chain is liable to stretch and should be checked
regularly. For this reason the chain length is usually adjustable.
Nejat Oztezcan Chief Engineer 5

6. Push-Pull Cable
A push-pull cable type steering arrangement is similar to
that used on outboard motors. The length of the cable
should not be too long or short as this can affect the
tiller response.
Nejat Oztezcan Chief Engineer 6

7. Nejat Oztezcan Chief Engineer 7
Basic Hydraulic Systems
Hydraulic systems are common in vessels of
12 metres or more in length. These systems
range from simple manual systems to
electro-hydraulic ones.
The system operates utilising the flow of
hydraulic fluid under pressure to control
the movement and position of the rudder.

8. Simple Hydraulic System
Nejat Oztezcan Chief Engineer 8

9. Nejat Oztezcan Chief Engineer 9

10. Nejat Oztezcan Chief Engineer 10
Complete Steering Gear system main
components are;
• Hydraulic Oil Tank
• Hydraulic Power Unit ( Pumps and motors)
• Hydraulic Cylinders (Rams)
• Hydraulic directional control valves
• Hydraulic Relief Valves
• Other hydraulic valves ( non-return valves, back
pressure valves, flow control valves,
counterbalance valves ext.)

11. Nejat Oztezcan Chief Engineer 11
Complete Steering Gear system
consists of three main parts :
1.Telemotor
2.Control Unit
3.Power Unit

12. Telemotor unit comprises of
two parts :
1.Transmitter
2. Receiver
Nejat Oztezcan Chief Engineer
82

13. Telemotor unit comprises of two parts :
• The Transmitter is located on the navigation
bridge in the form of a wheel, which transmits
the given order to the Receiver located in the
steering gear compartment, by turning the
steering wheel.
• The Receiver conveys this order to the Control
Unit, also located in the steering gear
compartment, via linear motion.
Nejat Oztezcan Chief Engineer
82

14. The Telemotor is generally hydraulic type,
electric type or, as is the case with modern
steering systems, it could be electro-
hydraulic type. In olden days, Telemotors
were purely mechanical type consisting of
linkages and chains with sprockets. As they
were operated manually, they required very
healthy sailors to operate
Nejat Oztezcan Chief Engineer
82

15. Nejat Oztezcan Chief Engineer 15
What are the types of telemotor system in
steering gear on ships ?
•Electric system
a)Ward Leonard system
b)Single motor system
•Hydraulic system
•Electro Hydraulic System
a)Ram type system (2 ram or 4 ram)
b)Vane type system

16. Nejat Oztezcan Chief Engineer 16

17. Hydraulic Steering Gear Arrangement
Nejat Oztezcan Chief Engineer 17

18. Nejat Oztezcan Chief Engineer 18
The electro-hydraulic system has the
advantage that the signal from the
wheelhouse to steering flat is transmitted
by electrical wires.
The pump supplies oil at a constant rate
to a directional control valve, which is
usually positioned in the steering flat.

19. Nejat Oztezcan Chief Engineer 19
The valve consists of three positions, and
depending on the position, will supply oil
to either side of the double acting ram.
When in the neutral position, oil is locked
in the ram, thus maintaining the given
rudder angle, whilst the pump flow is
circulated back to the tank. The valve is
operated by solenoids controlled from the
wheelhouse via the control box.

20. Electro-hydraulic StN
ee
j
a
et O
rz
it
ne
z
c
ga
n
GC
h
i
ee
f 91

21. Main types of steering gears power transmission
units:
• PISTON
• RAM
• VANE
Piston type
Nejat Oztezcan Chief
Engineer
92

22. Nejat Oztezcan Chief Engineer 22
Ram-type electrohydraulic steering gear –
A ram-type electrohydraulic steering gear
consists of two or four hydraulic
rams, connected by a link
mechanism or a Rapson slide
mechanism to the tiller which turns
the rudder.

23. Nejat Oztezcan Chief Engineer 23
A link mechanism transfers the ram
movement to the tiller and imparts
maximum torque at 35° of rudder
movement.
Rapson,s slide – A crosshead arrangement
used on ram-type steering gear in which
the mechanical advantage increases with
the angle of turn. It is used to convert the
straight line motion of the rams into an

24. Nejat Oztezcan Chief Engineer 24
Main steering gear – The machinery,
rudder actuators, steering gear power
units and the means of applying torque
to the rudder stock (e.g. tiller or
quadrant) necessary for effecting
movement of the rudder for the
purpose of steering the ship under
normal service conditions,

25. Nejat Oztezcan Chief Engineer 25
Steering gear compartment – According to
SOLAS requirements, the steering gear
compartment shall be readily accessible and,
as far as practicable, separated from the
machinery spaces. Handrails and gratings or
other nonslip surfaces shall be arranged to
ensure suitable working conditions in the
event of hydraulic fluid leakage. Emergency
escape shall be arranged.

26. Nejat Oztezcan Chief Engineer 26
Steering gear control system – The
equipment through which orders are
transmitted from the navigation bridge
to the steering gear power units.
Steering gear control systems comprise
transmitters, receivers, hydraulic
control pumps and their associated
motors, motor controllers, piping and
cables,

27. Nejat Oztezcan Chief Engineer 27
Steering gear power unit – An electric
motor and its associated electrical
equipment in the case of electric
steering gear, or an electric motor and
its associated electrical equipment and
connected pump in the case of electro
hydraulic steering gear, or a driving
engine and connected pump in the
case of other hydraulic steering gear.

28. Nejat Oztezcan Chief Engineer 28
Auxiliary steering gear – The
equipment other than any part of the
main steering gear necessary to steer
the ship in the event of failure of the
main steering gear but not including the
tiller, quadrant or components serving
the same purpose,

29. Nejat Oztezcan Chief Engineer 29
The other set of steering (auxiliary ) may be an
arrangements of some other approved
alternative method.
The auxiliary steering gear need only be
capable of steering the ship at navigable
speed, but it must be capable of being brought
speedily in to action in an emergency.
Navigable speed is one half of maximum
service speed ahead or 7 knots whichever is
the greater.

30. Nejat Oztezcan Chief Engineer 30

31. Nejat Oztezcan Chief Engineer 31
Bridge Control Panel
The remote start-stop push buttons are
normally mounted in the bridge panel
together with alarm lamps. There is one
push button for start and one for stop
per each pump unit. The start button is
equipped with running indicator light.
Indication lights for automatic stand-by
start is also installed.

32. Nejat Oztezcan Chief Engineer 32
The Bridge Control Panel consists of
following fields:
1.Alarm Panel.
2.Steering Mode Panel.
3.Pumps Control Panel.
4.Override Panel.
5.Control Column.
6.Wing Panel.

33. 33
Starting procedure
To put the steering gear into service the following duties
should be performed:
1.Check the oil level in tanks.
2.Open valves to rotary vane actuator
- at the Local Control Room Panel:
3.Set Pump 1 Control Switch to position .
4.Set Pump 2 Control Switch to position
- at the bridge control panel:
5.Start pump 1 by PUMP RUN 1 – push button.
6.Set Steering Mode Switch to adequate Steering Mode.

34. Nejat Oztezcan Chief Engineer 34
Local control from steering gear room-
the maneuvering valves on the rudder motor
can be operated manually by use of the
emergency device on the solenoids. The
selector switches on the motor controller
must be turned to position Local control.
Note:
Emergency procedures are supplied with
each steering gear. These are to be
displayed on the bridge and in the steering

35. Nejat Oztezcan Chief Engineer 35
Type of controls in steering gear
There are three types of controls as
following:
1. Follow up system
2. Automatic system
3. Non-Follow up system

36. Nejat Oztezcan Chief Engineer 36
Follow up system
In Follow up system mode, movement of
rudder follows the movement of steering
controller.
When the helm is applied on the bridge, order
is transmitted to steering engine control. As a
consequence, this control causes the steering
engine to shift with it and swings the rudder
associated with it.

37. Nejat Oztezcan Chief Engineer 37
Automatic system
In Automatic system mode the steering is
controlled by the signals received from the
master compass so that the ship is
automatically held on to a selected course.
The compass is electronic equipment. System
is arranged in such a way that when vessel is
on course, rudder is amidships and balance is
made in rudder position.

38. Nejat Oztezcan Chief Engineer 38
Non-Follow up system
In Non-Follow up system mode, the gear will run
and rudder will carry on turning while the steering
wheel or the controller is moved from its central
position.
Rudder movement is stopped when steering control
is centered once again or by the mechanical stops
placed at 37o on either side.
Controllers with non follow up systems take the form

39. Nejat Oztezcan Chief Engineer 39
•In vessels 12.5 m and over the steering
gear shall be capable of putting the
rudder from 35 degrees on one side to 30
degrees on the other in 28 seconds at
maximum speed.
•The steering gear shall be so designed
and constructed to prevent violent recoil
of the steering wheel.

40. Nejat Oztezcan Chief Engineer 40
•In hydraulic systems, changing over from
primary to secondary systems should be
able to be carried out easily and quickly.
• Power driven hydraulic systems shall
be fitted with a relief
valve to prevent mechanical damage.

41. Nejat Oztezcan Chief Engineer 41
•The rudder indicator shall move in the same
direction and give a true indication of the
rudder angle.
•If the emergency steering is remote from the
steering/navigation position an adequate
form of communication between these two
positions shall be installed.
•Where necessary the steering gear will be
fenced and have adequate guards to avoid
injury to personnel

42. Nejat Oztezcan Chief Engineer 42
Emergency Steering Drill
An Emergency Steering Drill is to be
carried out at least once every 3 months.
It is to consist of direct operation of the main
steering gear by manual control within the
steering compartment. Steering is to be
directed by communication from the bridge
to the steering compartment.

43. Nejat Oztezcan Chief Engineer 43
Where applicable, the operation of alternative
power supplies is to be tested. Notices are to
be posted next to the steering gear
emergency station with a warning that no
testing of the steering gear control system or
its components is to take place whilst the
vessel is underway, unless under the direct
supervision of the Chief Engineer. All ship’s
staff must be made aware of this requirement.