Emergency Steering procedure to Junior

1. remote control operation may fail to work and their can be a sudden loss of steering control from the bridge.
2. This can be due to sudden power failure, any electrical fault in the system or the control system which includes faulty tele-motor which is used for transferring the signal from bridge to the steering unit.
3. To have control the steering of the ship at such emergency situation with manual measure from within the steering gear room, an emergency steering system is used.

Action in case of Steering Gear Failure:

• If on Auto-Steering, the first action is to change over to manual.

• Speed to slow down, proper communication

• The 1st suspect is ‘Telemotor failure’.

• Switch over to other Telemotor ‘System’ (Marked as System 1 / 2).

• It that still does not solve the problem, the next suspect is the Steering Motor.

• Change from Steering Motor 1 to Steering Motor 2.

• It that still does not solve the problem, next suspect is failure of both telemotor system.

• Turn the mode selection switch to NFU (non-follow up steering)

• Even if this does not work, it means that all means from steering from the bridge have failed and the last resort of Emergency steering from the Steering gear compartment has to be resorted to.

• After each corrective step, the rudder would have to be tried out. Before doing it, pay heed to traffic around to avoid any Closed Quarter’ situation.

• If in restricted waters with traffic around, if steering is not restored immediately,

• Inform ships around through safety message

• The procedure and diagram for operating emergency steering should be displayed in steering gear room and bridge.
• A hydraulic motor is given a supply from the emergency generator directly through emergency switch board (SOLAS regulation). It should also be displayed in the steering room.
• Ensure a clear communication for emergency operation via VHF or ships telephone system.
• Normally a switch is given in the power supply panel of steering gear for tele motor; switch off the supply from the panel.
• Change the mode of operation by selecting the switch for the motor which is supplied emergency power.
• There is a safety pin at the manual operation helms wheel so that during normal operation the manual operation always remains in cut-off mode. Remove that pin.
• Emergency steering gear system is operated by (solenoid button) whether port or starboard

Details of drills and their periodicity is strictly laid down in ships training manual.

Drills are carried out regularly and recorded correctly as per the ISM procedures.

quote: https://www.marineinsight.com/tech/generator/procedure-for-starting-emergency-steering-system/