Section 2 Performance
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Clasifications Register Rules and Regulations - Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Inland Waterways Ships, July 2022 - Part 5 Main and Auxiliary Machinery - Chapter 15 Steering Systems - Section 2 Performance

Section 2 Performance

2.1 General

2.1.1 Unless the main steering arrangements for ship directional control comprise two or more identical power units, in accordance with Pt 5, Ch 15, 2.1 General 2.1.4, every ship is to be provided with main steering arrangements and auxiliary steering arrangements in accordance with the requirements of the Rules. The main and auxiliary steering arrangements are to be so arranged that the failure of one of them will not render the other one inoperative.

2.1.2 The main steering arrangements for ship directional control are to be:

  1. Of adequate strength and capable of steering the ship at maximum ahead service speed which shall be demonstrated in accordance with Pt 5, Ch 15, 5.2 Trials;

  2. The parts comprising the steering arrangements for ship directional control are to be so dimensioned that they can withstand all the maximum stresses to which they will be subjected in normal operating conditions. The steering arrangements for ship directional control are to be sufficiently strong to withstand abnormal forces (e.g. when the rudder is touching bottom or a bank), the maximum possible damage in such cases being limited to deformation or fracturing of the rudder or stock.

  3. The steering arrangements for ship directional control are to be so designed that a rudder angle of not less than 35° on either side can be obtained. On ships where, due to operation in restricted waters or the passage of locks, a higher degree of manoeuvrability is required, this angle is to be suitably increased;

  4. Where the steering arrangements for ship directional control are manually operated, one complete turn of the hand wheel is to correspond to at least 3° of rudder angle;

  5. Where the steering arrangements for ship directional control are power driven, they are to be capable of turning the rudder at an average rate of 4° per second through the entire rudder arc when the rudder is fully immersed and with the ship at maximum ahead service speed.

2.1.3 The auxiliary steering arrangements for ship directional control are to be:

  1. Of adequate strength and capable of steering the ship at a speed of not less than 13 km/h and of being brought speedily into action in an emergency;

  2. The steering arrangements for ship directional control are to be so designed that a rudder angle of not less than 35° on either side can be obtained. On ships where, due to operation in restricted waters or the passage of locks, a higher degree of manoeuvrability is required, this angle is to be suitably increased;

  3. The steering arrangements for ship directional control and their source of power are to be designed for an operation of not less than 30 minutes and to permit the ship to proceed to a mooring;

  4. Where the steering arrangements for ship directional control are manually operated, one complete turn of the hand wheel is to correspond to at least 3° of rudder angle;

  5. Where the steering arrangements for ship directional control are power driven, they are to be capable of turning the rudder at an average rate of 4° per second through the entire rudder arc when the rudder is fully immersed, and with the ship at a speed of not less than 13 km/h.

2.1.4 Where the main steering arrangements for ship directional control comprise two or more identical power units, an auxiliary steering gear need not be fitted, provided that:

  1. In a passenger ship, the main steering arrangements for ship directional control are capable of operating the rudder as required by Pt 5, Ch 15, 2.1 General 2.1.2.(c) and Pt 5, Ch 15, 2.1 General 2.1.2.(e) while any one of the power units is out of operation;

  2. In a cargo ship, the main steering arrangements for ship directional control are capable of operating the rudder as required byPt 5, Ch 15, 2.1 General 2.1.2.(c) and Pt 5, Ch 15, 2.1 General 2.1.2.(e) while operating with all power units;

  3. The main steering arrangements for ship directional control are arranged so that after a single failure in its piping system or in one of the power units the defect can be isolated so that steering capability can be maintained or speedily regained.

2.1.5 Power units of main and auxiliary steering arrangements for ship directional control are to be:

  1. Arranged to re-start immediately by manual initiation;

  2. Capable of being brought into operation from a position on the wheelhouse. In the event of a power failure to any one of the steering gear power units, an audible and visual alarm is to be given on the wheelhouse;

  3. Arranged so that transfer between units can be readily effected.

2.1.6 Steering arrangements for ship directional control, other than of the hydraulic type, will be accepted provided the standards are considered equivalent to the requirements of this Section.

2.1.7 Manually operated arrangements for ship directional control are only acceptable when the operation does not require an effort exceeding 160 N under normal conditions.

2.2 Rudder angle limiters

2.2.1 Power driven steering gears are to be provided with positive arrangements, such as limit switches, for stopping the gear before the rudder stops are reached. These arrangements are to be synchronised with the gear itself and not with the steering gear control. Limit switches may be omitted for steering gear having rudder angles exceeding 45° each side.


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