Bridge Navigation & Deck Operations

Ship Steering Gear – Operation and Safety

This test covers the basic principles of ship steering gear operation, SOLAS requirements, hydraulic steering systems, and common steering gear faults. Designed for deck cadets and junior officers, it helps reinforce essential knowledge required for safe ship maneuvering and bridge operations.

Questions 18

Time Limit 9 min

Language English

Sample Questions

Here are some example questions from this quiz. Download the GYRO app to take the full test.

Question 1

Which one of the following is NOT caused by air in a steering gear hydraulic system?

A Rudder tends to return to mid-ships.

B Corrosion.

C Erratic movement of the rudder.

D Overheating.

Question 2

Which one of the following statements about steering gear is NOT correct?

A A main steering gear must be able to move the rudder from 30° on either side to 30° on the other side in less than 28 seconds.

B A main steering gear must be able to move the rudder from 35° on either side to 35° on the other side.

C An auxiliary steering gear must be able to move the rudder from 15° on either side to 15° on the other side.

D Ships with more than one rudder do not need an auxiliary steering gear if they are navigable with one rudder.

Question 3

Which one of the phrase given in the options most accurately completes the following statement? The safety valve on a steering gear hydraulic system is most likely to operate because:

A A heavy sea has hit the rudder.

B An attempt has been made to put too much helm on, too quickly.

C It has been opened as part of the normal operation of the steering gear.

D The output pressure from the hydraulic pumps is too high.

Question 4

When a heavy sea strikes the rudder, which one of these statements best describes what will happen?

A If the force is large enough, the hydraulic pressure in the steering gear will be high enough to operate the safety valve, and the rudder will move.

B The rudder is free to move, but the auto-pilot will bring the ship back on course.

C The rudder is hydraulically locked in position and will not move.

D The shape and lightweight design of the rudder means that wave forces have no effect.

Question 5

For an electro-hydraulic steering gear, if the stand by pump fails to start following a failure of the running pump, which one of the following best describes the likely cause?

A The pump has not been set to standby or its power supply has been switched off.

B The starting current has caused overload.

C There has been a significant loss of hydraulic fluid.

D There is a valve shut somewhere in the system.

Ship Steering Gear – Operation and Safety

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