(1) Vessels shall be provided with a main steering
gear and an auxiliary means of actuating the rudder to the satisfaction
of the Administration. The main steering gear and the auxiliary means
of actuating the rudder shall be arranged so that so far as is reasonable
and practicable a single failure in one of them will not render the
other one inoperative.
(2) Where the main steering gear comprises two
or more identical power units an auxiliary steering gear need not
be fitted if the main steering gear is capable of operating the rudder
as required by paragraph (10) when any one of the units is out of
operation. Each of the power units shall be operated from a separate
circuit.
(3) The position of the rudder, if power operated,
shall be indicated in the wheelhouse. The rudder angle indication
for power-operated steering gear shall be independent of the steering
gear control system.
(4) In the event of failure of any of the steering
gear units an alarm shall be given in the wheelhouse.
(5) Indicators for running indication of the motors
of electric and electrohydraulic steering gear shall be installed
in the wheelhouse. Short circuit protection, an overload alarm and
a no-voltage alarm shall be provided for these circuits and motors.
Protection against excess current, if provided, shall be for not less
than twice the full load current of the motor or circuit so protected,
and shall be arranged to permit the passage of the appropriate starting
currents.
(6) The main steering gear shall be of adequate
strength and sufficient to steer the vessel at maximum service speed.
The main steering gear and rudder stock shall be so designed that
they will not be damaged at maximum speed astern or by manoeuvring
during fishing operations.
(7) The main steering gear shall, with the vessel
at its maximum permissible operating draught, be capable of putting
the rudder over from 35° on one side to 35° on the other side
with the vessel running ahead at maximum service speed. the rudder
shall be capable of being put over from 35° on either side to
30° on the other side in not more than 28 s, under the same conditions.
The main steering gear shall be operated by power where necessary
to fulfil these requirements.
(8) The main steering gear power unit shall be
arranged to start either by manual means in the wheelhouse or automatically
when power is restored after a power failure.
(9) The auxiliary means for actuating the rudder
shall be of adequate strength and sufficient to steer the vessel at
navigable speed and capable of being brought speedily into action
in an emergency.
(10) The auxiliary means for actuating the rudder
shall be capable of putting the rudder over from 15° on one side
to 15° on the other side in not more than 60 s with the vessel
running at one-half of its maximum service speed ahead or 7 knots
whichever is the greater. The auxiliary means for actuating the rudder
shall be operated by power where necessary to fulfil these requirements.
(11) Electric or electrohydraulic steering gear
in vessels of 75 m in length and over shall be served by at least
two circuits fed from the main switchboard and these circuits shall
be as widely separated as possible.