What are auxiliary Steering Gears Regulation for ships as per SOLAS?

The auxiliary steering gear shall be:

1. Of adequate strength and capable of steering the ship at navigable Speed and of being brought speedily into action in an Emergency;
2. Capable of putting the rudder over from 15 degree on one side to 15 degree  On the other side in not more than 60 seconds with the ship at its Deepest seagoing draught and running ahead at one-half of the Maximum ahead service speed or 7 knots, whichever is the Greater; and
3. Operated by power where necessary to meet the requirements of Paragraph 4.2 and in any case when the administration requires A rudder stock of over 230 mm diameter in way of the tiller, Excluding strengthening for navigation in ice.

Main and auxiliary steering gear power units shall be:

1. Arranged to restart automatically when power is restored after a power failure; and capable of being brought into operation from a position on the Navigation Bridge. In the event of a power failure to any one of the steering gear powers units, an audible and visual alarm shall be given on the Navigation Bridge.
2. where the main steering gear comprises two or more identical power Units, an auxiliary steering gear need not be fitted, provided that:
   • In a passenger ship, the main steering gear is capable of operating the rudder as required by paragraph 3.2 while any one of the power units is out of operation;
   • In a cargo ship, the main steering gear is capable of operating the rudder as required while operating with all power units;
   • The main steering gear is so arranged 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 re-gained.

Note :

The administration may, until 1 September 1986, accept the fitting of a steering gear, which has a proven record of reliability but does not comply with the requirements for a hydraulic system.