SOLAS STEERING GEAR REGULATION

          SOLAS REGULATIONS 19-2 Steering Gear

1) Within 12hours before departure, the ship's steering gear shall be checked and tested by the ship's crew. The test procedure shall include, where applicable, the operation of the following:

      a) the main / auxiliary steering gear.

      b) the remote steering gear control systems.

      c) the steering positions located on the navigating bridge.

      d) the emergency power supply.

      e) the rudder angle indicators in relations to the actual positions of the rudder.

      f) the remote steering gear control system power failure alarms.

      g) the steering gear power unit failure alarms.

      h) the automatic isolating arrangements and other automatic equipment.

      2) The checks and tests shall include:

      a) the full movement of the rudder according to the required capabilities of the steering gear;

      b) a visual inspection of the steering gear and its connecting linkages,

      c) the operation of the means of communications between the navigating bridge and the steering gear compartment.

      3.1)simple operating instructions with a block diagram showing the change-over procedures for remote steering gear control systems and steering gear power units shall be permanently displayed on the navigating bridge and in the steering gear compartment.

      3.2)All ship officers concerned with the operation or maintenance of steering gear shall be familiar with the operation of the steering system on the ship and with the procedures for changing from one system to another.

      4) In addition to the routine checks and tests prescribed in paragraph (1) and (2), emergency steering drills shall take place at least once every three months in order to practise emergency steering procedures. Those drills shall include direct control from within the steering gear compartment, the communications procedures with the navigating bridge, where applicable, the operation of alternative power supplies.

      5) The date upon which the checks and tests prescribe in paragraph (1) and (2) are carried out and the date and details of the emergency steering drills carried out under paragraph (4), shall be recorded in thelog book as may be prescribe by the administation.

      5) The administrationmay waive the requirment to carry out checks and tests prescribed in paragraph (1) and (2) for ships which regularly engage on voyages of short duration. Such ships shall carry out these checks and tests at least once a week.