6.

(a) State SOLAS regulations and requirements for steering gear.

(b) Explain steering gear survey. (10-6M)

(a)
1. Steering gear compartment must be separated from machinery spaces and readily
assessable.
2. Every ship shall be provided with main steering gear and auxiliary steering gear.
3. The failure of one of them must not render another one operation.
4. Relief valves shall be fitted to any part of the hydraulic system. Setting shall not exceed
designed pressure, i.e. 1.25 times of working pressure.
5. Main steering gear and rudder stock shall be;
Capable of putting rudder hard over from 35˚ one side to 35˚ another side with the
ship’s deepest seagoing draught and full sea speed, from 35˚ one side to 30˚ another
side not more than 28 sec.
They should be done at maximum astern speed as also.
6. The auxiliary steering gear shall be
Adequate strength and capable of steering the ship at navigational speed and could be
brought into action in an emergency.
Capable of putting rudder from 15˚ one side to 15˚ another side with the ship’s
deepest seagoing draught and speed not less than 7 knot, from 15˚ one side to 15˚
another side not more than 60 sec.
7. Rudder angle indicator shall be independent from steering gear control system.
8. Means of quick communication to be provided between Wheel house, E.R and Steering
gear room.
9. System oil low level alarm, audible and visible, to be provided in Wheel house, E.R and
steering room.
10. Fluid used must be approved type and non-freezing.
11. With stock diameter 230 mm and above, an alternative power supply, capable of
providing within 45 sec automatically, must be provided. Its capacity shall be at least 30
minutes for the ship 10000 GT and above, and in any other ship for at least 10 min.
12. Electrical wiring system for steering gear shall be sized to accept 100 % load.
(b) Survey of steering gear system

 Steering gear systems are subjected to annual survey, periodic survey and special survey
under machinery items by classification society.
 The following parts are to be surveyed not exceeding 2 years interval.
1. Fastening of steering gear, quadrants, tiller and rudder brake
2. Any leakage of hydraulic system
3. The motors with starters, control gears and electric cables
4. Insulation resistance test to motor and wiring system
5. Function test including emergency operation. Alarms test of safety arrangement such as;
(a) Oil level alarm
(b) Control voltage failure alarm
(c) Overload alarm
(d) Phase failure alarm