| (a) | Within 12 hours 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: |
| (i) | The main steering gear; |
| (ii) | the auxiliary steering gear; |
| (iii) | the remote steering gear control systems; |
| (iv) | the steering positions located on the navigating bridge; |
| (v) | the emergency power supply; |
| (vi) | the rudder angle indicators in relation to the actual position of the rudder; |
| (vii) | the remote steering gear control system power failure alarms; and |
| (viii) | the steering gear power unit failure alarms. |
| (b) | The checks and tests shall include— |
| (i) | the full movement of the rudder according to the required capabilities of the steering gear; |
| (ii) | a visual inspection of the steering gear and its connecting linkage; and |
| (iii) | the operation of the means of communication between the navigating bridge and steering gear compartment. |
(c)
| (i) | Simple operating instructions with a block diagram showing the changeover 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. |
| (ii) | All officers concerned with the operation and or maintenance of steering gear shall be familiar with the operation of the steering systems fitted on the ship and with the procedures for changing from one system to another. |
| (d) | In addition to the routine checks and tests prescribed in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Regulation, emergency steering drills shall take place at least once every three months in order to practise emergency steering procedures. These drills shall include direct control from within the steering gear compartment, the communications procedure with the navigating bridge and, where applicable, the operation of alternative power supplies. |
| (e) | The Administration may waive the requirement to carry out the checks and tests prescribed in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Regulation for ships which regularly ply on voyages of short duration. Such ships shall carry out these checks and tests once every week. |
| (f) | The date upon which the checks and tests prescribed in paragraphs (a) a n d (b) of this Regulation are carried out and the date and details of emergency steering drills carried out under paragraph (d) of this Regulation, shall be recorded in the log book as may be prescribed by the Administration. |
[Regulation 19–2 inserted by Proclamation No. R.168 of 1982.]
