[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 46, Volume 2]
[Revised as of October 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 46CFR58.25-10]

[Page 267-268]
 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
   CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 58_MAIN AND AUXILIARY MACHINERY AND RELATED SYSTEMS--Table of Contents
 
                       Subpart 58.25_Steering Gear
 
Sec. 58.25-10  Main and auxiliary steering gear.

    (a) Power-operated main and auxiliary steering gear must be separate 
systems that are independent throughout their length. Other systems and 
arrangements of steering gear will be acceptable if the Commanding 
Officer, Marine Safety Center, determines that they comply with, or 
exceed the requirements of, this subpart.
    (b) The main steering gear and rudder stock must be--
    (1) Of adequate strength for and capable of steering the vessel at 
maximum ahead service speed, which must be demonstrated to the 
satisfaction of the cognizant Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection;
    (2) Capable of moving the rudder from 35[deg] on either side to 
35[deg] on the other with the vessel at its deepest loadline draft and 
running at maximum ahead service speed, and from 35[deg] on either side 
to 30[deg] on the other in not more than 28 seconds under the same 
conditions;
    (3) Operated by power when necessary to comply with paragraph (b)(2) 
of this section or when the diameter of the rudder stock is over 12 
centimeters (4.7 inches) in way of the tiller, excluding strengthening 
for navigation in ice; and
    (4) Designed so that they will not be damaged when operating at 
maximum astern speed; however, this requirement need not be proved by 
trials at maximum astern speed and maximum rudder angle.
    (c) The auxiliary steering gear must be--
    (1) Of adequate strength for and capable of steering the vessel at 
navigable speed and of being brought speedily into action in an 
emergency;
    (2) Capable of moving the rudder from 15[deg] on either side to 
15[deg] on the other in not more than 60 seconds with the vessel at its 
deepest loadline draft and running at one-half maximum ahead service 
speed or 7 knots, whichever is greater; and
    (3) Operated by power when necessary to comply with paragraph (c)(2) 
of this section or when the diameter of the rudder stock is over 23 
centimeters (9 inches) in way of the tiller, excluding strengthening for 
navigation in ice.
    (d) No auxiliary means of steering is required on a double-ended 
ferryboat with independent main steering gear fitted at each end of the 
vessel.
    (e) When the main steering gear includes two or more identical power 
units, no auxiliary steering gear need be fitted, if--
    (1) In a passenger vessel, the main steering gear is capable of 
moving the rudder as required by paragraph (b)(2) of this section while 
any one of the power units is not operating;
    (2) In a cargo vessel, the main steering gear is capable of moving 
the rudder as required by paragraph (b)(2) of this section while all the 
power units are operating;
    (3) In a vessel with an installation completed on or after September 
1, 1984, and on an international voyage, and in any other vessel with an 
installation completed after June 9, 1995, the main steering gear is 
arranged so that, after a single failure in its piping system (if 
hydraulic), or in one of the power units, the defect can be isolated so 
that steering capability can be maintained or speedily regained in less 
than ten minutes; or
    (4) In a vessel with an installation completed before September 1, 
1986, and on an international voyage, with steering gear not complying 
with paragraph (e)(3) of this section, the installed steering gear has a 
proved record of reliability and is in good repair.

    Note: The place where isolation valves join the piping system, as by 
a flange, constitutes a single-failure point. The valve itself need not 
constitute a single-failure point if it has a double seal to prevent 
substantial loss of fluid under pressure. Means to purge air that enters 
the system as a result of the piping failure must be provided, if 
necessary, so that steering capability can be maintained or speedily 
regained in less than ten minutes.


[[Page 268]]


    (f) In each vessel of 70,000 gross tons or over, the main steering 
gear must have two or more identical power units complying with 
paragraph (e) of this section.