Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

Code of Federal Regulations Title 46. Shipping § 46.58.25–70 Steering-gear control systems

Current as of January 02, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a) Each power-driven steering-gear system must be provided with at least one steering-gear control system.

(b) The main steering gear must be operable from the pilothouse by mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, or other means acceptable to the Commanding Officer, Marine Safety Center. This gear and its components must give full followup control of the rudder. Supplementary steering-gear control not giving full followup may also be provided from the pilothouse.

(c) Each steering-gear control system must have in the pilothouse a switch arranged so that one operation of the switch's lever automatically supplies power to a complete system and its associated power unit or units. This switch must be—

(1) Operated by one lever;

(2) Arranged so that not more than one control system and its associated power unit or units can be energized from the pilothouse at any one time;

(3) Arranged so that the lever passes through “off” during transfer of control from one control system to another;  and

(4) Arranged so that the switches for each control system are in separate enclosures or are separated by fire-resistant barriers.

(d) Each steering-gear control system must receive its power from—

(1) The feeder circuit supplying power to its steering-gear power unit or units in the steering-gear compartment;  or

(2) A direct connection to the busbars supplying the circuit for its steering-gear power unit or units from a point on the switchboard adjacent to that supply.

(e) Each steering-gear control system must have a switch that—

(1) Is in the steering-gear compartment;  and

(2) Disconnects the system from its power source and from the steering gear that the system serves.

(f) Each motor controller for a steering gear must be in the steering-gear compartment.

(g) A means of starting and stopping each motor for a steering gear must be in the steering-gear compartment.

(h) When the main steering gear is arranged in accordance with § 58.25–10(e), two separate and independent systems for full followup control must be provided in the pilothouse;  except that—

(1) The steering wheel or lever need not be duplicated;  and

(2) If the system consists of a hydraulic telemotor, no second separate and independent system need be provided other than on each tank vessel subject to § 58.25–85.

(i) When only the main steering gear is power-driven, two separate and independent systems for full followup control must be provided in the pilothouse;  except that the steering wheel or lever need not be duplicated.

(j) When the auxiliary steering gear is power-driven, a control system for the auxiliary steering gear must be provided in the pilothouse that is separate and independent from the control system for the main steering gear;  except that the steering wheel or lever need not be duplicated.

(k) On a vessel of 500 gross tons or above, each main steering gear and auxiliary steering gear must be arranged so that its power unit or units are operable by controls from the steering-gear compartment. These controls must not be rendered inoperable by failure of the controls in the pilothouse.

Previous Part of Code Next Part of Code
Back to Chapter List

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Code of Federal Regulations Title 46. Shipping § 46.58.25–70 Steering-gear control systems - last updated January 02, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/cfr/title-46-shipping/cfr-sect-46-58-25-70/

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About The Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to Find an Attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

Copied to clipboard