Condition

Aboard ship at steering room station or in an approved simulator.

Performance requirement

Behavior Standard
The student will: During assessment, the student shall, at a minimum:

Check steering gear is ready for operation

Check:

  • machinery oil levels
  • general condition of equipment and space
  • system line-up is as per posted chart
  • trick wheels are disengaged

Establish and test communications with bridge

Use sound powered phone or vhf radio.

Use correct procedures and terminology

Start and Test each motor and pump

Insure that the steering engine and the rudder are synchronized in the midship position before starting or stopping pumps

Have bridge operate each main steering engine assembly through full range of travel in normal mode and nfu mode

Transfer control to local and test trick wheel mode

Verify operation of rudder angle indicator system with bridge

Note rudder travel time from stop to stop

Note any unusual operation, noises or leakage

Check alternate power sources

Verify that normal and emergency power feeders are functional

Location

Assessed in EN‑4231 Sea Term IV: Marine Engineering.

References

STCW Knowledge, Understanding and Proficiency

  1. OICEW-A3.1
  2. OICEW-A4.1
  3. OICEW-B2.5

NVIC Tasks

  1. NVIC 17-14 Task 3.1.A Test internal communications
  2. NVIC 17-14 Task 7.5.B Test steering gear

See the Assessment Guidelines for additional specifications of behavior and standards.