Steering gear failure

The grey parts “on board specifics” are to be completed by each ship

This covers damage and incidents which vary a great deal and which necessitate more or less rapid reactions.
Possibilities for action exist, the seriousness of which depends on the following :

 Failure of the Auto-Pilot: this will be cured by taking the helm manually.
 Failure of the steering remote motor, which will be dealt by changing the remote motor.
 Total failure of the remote motor which will force the steering to be locally controlled by direct action.
 Failure of a steering motor which will necessitate starting the second motor.

 If there is no emergency, inspect the condition and the pressures in the hydraulic circuit before
starting the second steering motor: an oil leak could lead to a disaster

IMMEDIATE ACTION “BRIDGE”

In case of emergency, start the second steering motor and change over manual steering. See
the remark above and send personnel to check oil piping before starting the second steering
motor.

Show shapes or lights “Not under command” (2 black balls or 2 red lights)

Call the Master.

Keep clear of dangers and other ships.

Call the Engine Duty Officer and note the time of the incident

If steering from the bridge is no longer possible (failure of the remote control):
Sound the General Alarm (succession of seven short blasts + one long blast), and make a
General Announcement (muster for steering gear failure).

Reduce speed, rapidly if necessary.

Steer with local controls (Refer to specific ENGINE MANUAL procedure Engine-851 displayed
in steering room ) after having done the following:
 Establish a telespeaker, self-generator or telephone connection (TW is ineffective
generally)
 Change the steering to “Local”
 Check the steering-room gyro repeater
 Retain two or only one steering motor depending on the rapid assessment made at the
location
On board specifics: Locally controled steering procedure:

If there is a failure of one of the two hydraulic pumps:

Steer using the other pump

Changeover, if necessary, to Emergency running with isolated rams or ½ motor

If all the emergency systems are inoperative (absence of oil pressure on the rams):

Send a Safety message (Card No Em’cy-014))

Try to steer at low speed by using the thruster and the engine to get away from danger. Do not
loose sight of the bow-thruster has no action at high speed.

If possible and if safe ground : drop anchor

Keep clear of dangers, taking into consideration :

 The bow of the ship turn into the wind when the engine is Ahead (if the rudder is in the
axis)
 The stern turn into the wind when engine is running Astern.
 Steering gear failure

If repairs have been done, send a safety message indicating the end of the alert.

LATER ACTION:

If the ship is disabled in a long term manner or for a period which is too long to avoid a more serious incident,
the Master will send one or more notification messages (standard report sheet prepared in advance)

Notification to CMA SHIPS / SSE Dept.

Notification to the MRCC coastal authorities

Notification to the relevant flag state MRCC (= FALMOUTH for UK flag only)
To be sent if the estimated time for repair is likely to endanger the ship

Then send an Emergency message (Card No Em’cy-016)

FINAL ACTION:

If the steering cannot be restored or if a risk of running aground exists, the Master will request the assistance
of another ship or tug, by way of CMA SHIPS / SSE Dept., if there is sufficient time or directly to an assistant
ship in accordance with the terms of the LLOYD OPEN FORM ‘’NO CURE NO PAY’’ (LOF 2000). Not losing
sight of the fact that “the emergency takes priority over proprieties” and that no delay is permissible in an
emergency situation.
A Contract negotiated by the competent departments of the Company with a tug company is always preferable
to a “No Cure No Pay” deal.
This assistance request can be made by VHF, but the conversation must in this case be recorded.

As a last resort : Send a Distress message (Card No Em’cy-018)