Steering Gear Testing and Drills:

Within twelve hours before departure of the ship from port, following
systems to be checked and tested:

Main steering gear and system

Auxiliary steering gear and system

The remote control systems of steering gear

The steering position indicator on the navigation bridge

The emergency power supply to one of the steering unit

The rudder angle indicators showing actual position of the rudder

Power failure alarms for the remote steering gear control system

Power unit failure alarms for the steering gear unit

Automatic isolating arrangements and other automatic equipment

Following listed procedure must be included along with the check

and tests described above:
1. The full movement of the rudder as per the required capabilities of the
steering gear system present onboard
2. A visual inspection of all the linkages and connection in the steering
gear
3. The means of communication between the steering gear room and
navigational bridge must always be operational
Other Important requirements related to steering gear are:

A block diagram displaying the steering system, the changeover

procedure from remote to local steering and steering gear power unit
indicating the emergency supply unit must be clearly mentioned.

This diagram must be pasted in Navigation Bridge and steering gear

compartment.

All officers and crew concerned with the operation and maintenance
of steering gear system must be familiar with changeover procedure from
one to other system.


Emergency steering drills to be carried out inn not more than three
months period.

Date and time for the tests, checks and drills carried out in steering
gear system must be recorded.

Control Tests on Ships Explained

The main engine and the steering engine are located aft and far from the
bridge and controlled by a maze of wires, pipes, machines, and electronic
devices. Prior to entering a port and departing the port, these control
systems have to be tested to ensure they are working properly and are
effective.
Control Tests
The ship is controlled from the bridge, which is at the top deck of the
accommodation. The wheel house, so called as it houses the wheel to
control the steering engine, has a number of control stands including the
main engine control stand and the telegraph. The main engine is housed
in the engine room which is at the aft of the ship below the water line. The
main engine is controlled by electro-hydraulic and pneumatic controllers
that give signals to the main engine. It is essential that this complex piece
of machinery is tested prior to any crucial operations like manoeuvring,
and these tests are called control tests.
The control test is performed before sailing out and before arrival at a
port. It is mainly done to confirm the safe operation of the ship and to
ensure that all the control systems necessary for sailing are correctly
functioning in a satisfactory manner.

The control tests are:

1.

Telegraph checks

2.

Steering gear checks

3.

Main Engine try out in ahead and astern directions on fuel

4.

Communications tests

After carrying out the control tests it should be logged in the bell book
stating that the control test was carried out in a satisfactory manner and
was successful (for legal purposes).

Telegraph Check
Before the pilot comes on board, it should be checked that the telegraph is
functioning properly. The duty engineer in the engine room should
acknowledge the telegraph orders from bridge. The navigation officer in
charge on the bridge and the duty engineer would ensure that the
telegraphs orders are in sync and there is not deviation of orders given via
the telegraph.
Steering Gear Checks
Communication in the steering gear room should first be checked and then
the rudder angle indicator on the steering gear should be compared to
that on the bridge. There should be no discrepancy.
The remote rudder angle indicator is located in the Bridge and in the
control room inside the engine room.
In the bridge, the indication is placed in three positions.
5.

Port side of bridge wing

6.

Starboard side bridge wing

7.

In the wheel house

These are provided for the easy manoeuvring for the pilot from the side
he boards the ship. He gives the order by seeing the respective indicator
located in the bridge.
Steering gear checks also includes the following checks for correct
operation:

Over load alarm

Power failure alarm

Low oil level alarm

Greasing should be done for all necessary parts.

Main Engine Try Out

The main engine must be tried out in ahead and astern directions on fuel.
The response of the main engine is checked and sluggishness, if any, is
investigated.
Before testing, the engine is to be lubricated by handle of the cylinder
lubricators and turned by turning gear with the indicator cocks open. The
amperage is to be checked for any abnormal behaviour. Thereafter the
engine is blown through on air and the discharge from the indicator cocks
checked for any sign of fuel or cooling water. Thereafter the control is
given to the bridge and they are told to test the main engine to their
satisfaction.