STANDARD HELM COMMAND DEFINITIONS

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The following are “Standard Helm Commands” which are the same except for minor variations
from ship to ship. They are used frequently and in combination with each other.

The Helmsman is the person who physically steers the ship. The helmsman repeats each
command back to the conning officer before executing the command. This is done to ensure
that the helmsman fully understands the command. If you are in doubt as to whether you
heard the command correctly, your response shall be “command”.

The Conning Officer will repeat the given command. Upon repeating the command you shall
execute the given command. After executing the command you shall advise the conning officer
that the command was executed. This informs the conning officer that the command has been
executed. The conning officer shall respond with “very well” if an officer, or with “aye aye” if an
enlisted person. Every response to the conning officer will be followed by sir/ma’am as
appropriate, unless the conning officer is enlisted, in which case only the proper response is
required.

All of the commands listed below will follow the procedure described above. Only the first
command gives an example of the complete procedure. For the remaining commands only the
command and execution will be described.

COMMAND “Come right (left) to ______”

HELMSMAN’S “Come right (left) to_ Aye aye sir/ma’am.”
RESPONSE
EXECUTION Put over the rudder right (left)and steady on the specified course.
You must use the Rudder Angle Indicator and the Gyro or Magnetic
Compass to complete this command.
HELMSMAN’S “Steady on course sir/ma ‘am.”
RESPONSE
CONNING “Very well” or “aye aye”.
OFFICER’S
RESPONSE

COMMAND “Right (left) five (ten, etc.) degrees rudder.”

EXECUTION Turn the wheel/joy stick to the right (left) until the rudder is placed
at the number of degrees ordered. Use the rudder angle indicator
as your guide.

COMMAND “Right (left) standard rudder.”

EXECUTION Put the rudder over to the right (left) the specified number of
degrees necessary for the ship to make a standard tactical
diameter turn. This is normally 15 or 20 degrees for most Coast
Guard Cutters.

COMMAND “Right (left) full rudder.”

EXECUTION Put the rudder over to the right (left) the specified number of
degrees necessary for the ship to make a reduced standard tactical
diameter turn. This is normally 30 degrees for most Coast Guard
Cutters.
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COMMAND “Hard right (left) rudder.”

EXECUTION Put the rudder over to the right (left) to the maximum number of
degrees allowed for your vessel. This is normally 35 degrees for
most Coast Guard Cutters. This command is used only in
emergency situations such as to avoid collision. You should ensure
that the rudder angle indicator is used when executing this
command. Bad damage to the steering gear can occur if the rudder
is put over too far.

COMMAND “Right (left) handsomely.”

EXECUTION Turn the rudder a small amount to the right (left). Use the rudder
angle indicator when executing this command. This command is
given when a very slight change of course is desired.

COMMAND “Increase your rudder to degrees.”

EXECUTION Increase the rudder angle to the specified number of degrees. This
command is given when the rudder is already over to the right
(left). Use the rudder angle indicator when executing this
command.

COMMAND “Ease your rudder to degrees.”

EXECUTION Decrease the rudder angle to the specified number of degrees right
(left). Given when the ship is turning with right (left) rudder, and is
turning toward or nearing the desired heading. Use the rudder
angle indicator when executing this command. If the conning
officer gives this command without specifying the number of
degrees, you will ease the rudder by half. For example, if your
rudder is at right/left 20 degrees, you would ease your rudder to
right/left 10 degrees.

COMMAND “Rudder amidships.”

EXECUTION Put the rudder on the zero (0) degree mark of the rudder angle
indicator. This command is given when the ship is turning, and it is
desired to make it swing less rapidly.

COMMAND “Meet her.”

EXECUTION Use enough opposite rudder angle to stop the swing of the vessel
without steadying on a particular course. This command is usually
given when the vessel is nearing the desired course during a large
turn. Also, it will normally be followed by the command(s) “steady
as you go” or “steady on course

COMMAND “Shift your rudder.”

EXECUTION Change from right (left) rudder (or vice versa) an equal amount.
For example, if the rudder is 15 degrees left then you shall shift to
right 15 degrees rudder. Use the rudder angle indicator when
executing this command.
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COMMAND “Steady, or steady as you go.

EXECUTION Steer the course on which the ship is heading when the command
is received. If the ship is swinging to the right (left) when the
command is given, the heading must be noted, and the vessel
brought back to that course. This command may also be given
after the command to “mark your head”. If the conning officer
wants to steer the course that was called off by the helmsman then
he will give the command “steady, or steady as you go” will be
given.

COMMAND “Mark your head. “

EXECUTION Sound off to the conning officer the ships heading at the time the
command was given. The heading number is read from the
compass card at the lubber’s line. For example, Mark _____
degrees gyro/true/magnetic as appropriate.

COMMAND “How is your rudder?”

EXECUTION This is a question, and the helmsman should reply with the exact
location of the rudder at the time the command was given. For
example, my rudder is _____ degrees right (left) sir.

COMMAND “Mind your helm.”

EXECUTION A warning that the ship is swinging off the course because of bad
steering. It is also a command to steer exactly, using less rudder. If
the helmsman suspects that there is a problem with the steering
mechanism, the conning officer shall immediately be advised by
sounding off “steering casualty”.

COMMAND “Nothing to the right (left) of _____.”

EXECUTION This command advises the helmsman not to steer to the right (left)
of the course ordered. The command is given when a danger is
present on one side of the vessel. For example there is a coral reef
500 yards off the ship’s port bow. The helmsman should
immediately advise the conning officer if off course to the right
(left). Also, advise the conning officer what corrective action you
are taking. For example, “five degrees off course to the right (left),
correcting with right (left) five degrees rudder”.

COMMAND “Keep her so.”

EXECUTION This command means to continue to steer the present course, or to
maintain the rudder in its present position.
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HELMSMAN’S “Aye aye.”

RESPONSE
DEFINITION This response means the order was understood, and you will
complete the action required to carry out (complete) the order.
“Aye aye is sounded of f by the helmsman after repeating each and
every command from the conning officer. This informs the conning
officer that you fully understood the command, and will carry it
out.

HELMSMAN’S “Command.”
RESPONSE
DEFINITION Given by the helmsman when the command from the conning
officer is unclear or misunderstood. Also, when the helmsman
believes an improper command was given. For example, the
conning officer orders left ten degrees rudder when a vessel is fifty
yards off your ship’s port bow.

CONNING “Very well.”

OFFICER’S
RESPONSE
DEFINITION Given after a report by the helmsman to let the helmsman know
the conning officer understands the report. If the conning officer is
enlisted the response to the helmsman will be “Aye aye”.

PROCEDURE FOR When the helmsman is making a large turn, the compass headings
SOUNDING OFF will be sounded off to the conning officer every five to ten degrees.
For example, passing 320, passing 330, passing 340 etc. This is
PASSINGS done so that the conning officer can tell how far and fast the vessel
is swinging, and allows for corrective action if required. The term
“passing” is not a helm command, but is standard operating
procedure on most Coast Guard Cutters. If used aboard your ship
you will automatically sound off “passings”, unless directed
otherwise. The conning officer will sound off “belay your passings”,
if they are not needed. Remember compass headings and courses
are always stated in three distinct digits.