SOLAS requires the fitting of visible and audible low level alarms for every steering gear hydraulic fluid reservoir. Which one of the following identifies the locations where it states that these alarms must be fitted?
On the bridge and in the steering compartment, where they can be seen.
On the bridge, in the steering compartment and in the engine control room, where they can be seen.
In the steering compartment and in the engine control room, where they can be seen.
On the bridge and in the machinery space, where they can be seen.
Select from the following the one feature that the steering gear of all ships greater than 70 000 tonnes displacement must have that not every other ship requires according to SOLAS?
A means of quickly restoring steering in the event of a single hydraulic failure in the hydraulic system.
Duplication of all components up to the rudderstock.
Two or more identical power units.
A main and auxiliary steering gear.
Select from the following the type of rudder that is most commonly used on ferries and smaller ships?
Spade rudder, because of its good manoeuvrability.
All three types are equally used.
Semi-spade rudder, because of the reduced steering gear torque required.
Flap rudder, because of its very good manoeuvrability.
Select the one statement that best completes the statement. The maximum required working torque of a steering gear is determined by:
The friction at the bearings and other moving parts.
The resistance it meets in service, so there is no limit.
The effective torque at the relief valve opening pressure.
The torque necessary to turn the rudder to the maximum required angle at the ship’s full speed and maximum draft.
Select the phrase which most accurately completes the following statement. According to the SOLAS rules the rudder speed should be at least 35-0-30 degrees in a maximum of 28 seconds for:
The main steering gear of all ships, other than those with special requirements, such as those with non-conventional steering arrangements.
Only oil and chemical tankers and gas carriers.
Only cargo ships above 10 000 DWT or passenger ships carrying more than 50 passengers.
The main and auxiliary steering gear of all ships, other than those with special requirements, such as those with non-conventional steering arrangements.
What is the main purpose of a rapson slide when fitted to a ram type steering gear?
The purpose of the rapson slide is to carry the weight of the rudder.
The purpose of the rapson slide is to keep the rams correctly aligned to prevent sideways force on the ram seals.
The purpose of the rapson slide is to change the linear motion of the rams into circular motion of the tiller.
The purpose of the rapson slide is to limit the maximum movement of the rudder.
When a heavy sea strikes the rudder, which one of these statements best describes what will happen?
The shape and lightweight design of the rudder means that wave forces have no effect.
If the force is large enough, the hydraulic pressure in the steering gear will be high enough to operate the relief valve, and the rudder will move.
The rudder is free to move, but the auto-pilot will bring the ship back on course.
The rudder is hydraulically locked in position and will not move.
Which of the following best describes how the tiller or a rotary vane steering gear is connected to the rudderstock?
The tiller or rotary vane must always be connected to the rudder stock by being forced onto a taper.
The tiller or rotary vane can be connected to the rudder stock by being hydraulically forced onto a taper, by keys, bolts or a combination of these methods.
The tiller or rotary vane must always be keyed to the rudder stock and held in place by a nut.
The tiller or rotary vane is usually connected to the rudder stock by a nut which pushes it against a stepped shaft.
Which of the following is the amount of hydraulic oil that must be held in the fixed storage tank connected by piping to the steering gear according to SOLAS?
Enough to recharge one power actuating system.
Enough to make up expected leakage for the voyage.
Enough to recharge at least two power actuating systems.
Enough to recharge all power actuating systems.
Which of the following statements best describes the typical maintenance program for changing the hydraulic oil used in steering gear?
Steering gear power actuators are very robust and oil should never need to be changed.
Provided the oil remains incompressible oil changes are not required.
Even small solid particles will cause wear, whilst moisture will cause corrosion so the oil needs to be changed regularly.
Provided the oil viscosity remains within acceptable limits, the oil does not need changing.
Which one of the following are the alarms that should be fitted to an electro-hydraulic steering gear according to the SOLAS rules?
Power failure for the motors, power failure for the control system, failure of any phase of a three phase electrical supply, electrical overload, and low level alarms for each hydraulic fluid reservoir.
Power failure for the motors, power failure for the control system, and low level alarms for each hydraulic fluid reservoir.
Power failure for the motors, power failure for the control system, electrical short circuit, electrical overload, and low level alarms for each hydraulic fluid reservoir.
Power failure for the motors, power failure for the control system, failure of any phase of a three phase electrical supply, electrical short circuit, and low level alarms for each hydraulic fluid reservoir.
Which one of the following are the clearances on a ram type steering gear that need to be checked at dry-dock?
Internal carrier bearing clearances.
Swivel block to guide bar clearance.
Jumping clearance and carrier bearing wear-down clearance.
Ram to cylinder clearances.
Which one of the following best describes where the forces on the rudder arrangement come from?
Weight of ship, propeller, waves and side force.
Side forces, propeller and waves.
Propeller, waves, weight of components and side forces.
Which one of the following factors do you think will NOT affect the lifetime of the bearings in a rotary vane steering gear actuator?
The relief valve pressure setting.
The alignment of rudder stock with the steering gear installation.
Cleanliness of the hydraulic oil.
Which one of the following identifies where the changeover to local steering is carried out?
The engine control room or the bridge.
The steering compartment.
The steering compartment, but it must be acknowledged by the bridge before it can take effect.
Which one of the following is NOT said to be an advantage of ram type steering gears compared to rotary vane type steering gears?
Ram type steering gears are easier to maintain.
Ram type steering gears require lower operating pressures.
Ram type steering gears are of simple construction.
On ram type steering gears, the torque increases with rudder angle, whereas for rotary vane types it is constant.
Which one of the following is a special steering gear requirement that passenger ships must meet that not all other ships require according to SOLAS?
For a single failure, steering capability must be regained within 45 seconds.
They must have a main and auxiliary steering gear.
There must be oil leakage detection.
They, must be able to move the rudder from 35° on either side to 30° on the other side in not more than 28 seconds with one power unit out of operation.
Which one of the following is most likely to cause the hydraulic lock alarm to operate on a steering gear system?
Having both hydraulic pumps running at the same time.
A failure of one of the hydraulic pumps.
Failing to purge the system of air.
A failure in the control system such as a directional valve sticking open.
Which one of the following is most likely to cause the safety valve on a steering gear hydraulic system to operate?
The output pressure from the hydraulic pumps is too high.
A heavy sea has hit the rudder.
It has been opened as part of the normal operation of the steering gear.
An attempt has been made to put too much helm on, too quickly.
Which one of the following is the main advantage of running two steering gear motors?
The available rudder torque will be doubled.
It reduces the wear on individual steering gear pumps.
The speed of rudder movement will be doubled.
There is less chance of overheating the hydraulic fluid in hot weather.
Which one of the following is the main purpose of the relief valve on a hydraulic steering gear?
To protect the actuator against too high an oil pressure.
To regulate the return flow of oil from the steering gear.
To protect against leakage between the pressure chambers.
Which one of the following is the most important factor in reducing wear in a hydraulic steering gear system?
Limiting the maximum helm angle when using the auto-pilot.
Using only one steering gear motor as often as possible.
Using both steering gear motors as often as possible.
Ensuring the cleanliness of the hydraulic oil is maintained.
Which one of the following options best describes the main things that affect the torque needed to turn the rudder?
The maximum displacement of the ship and the prevailing weather.
Size and shape of the hull.
The type of steering gear fitted.
Size and type of rudder and the ship’s speed.
Which one of the following statements best describes the difference in SOLAS requirements for the steering gears of single rudder tankers above and below 100 000 tonnes?
Below 100 000 tonnes, oil leakage detection is optional. Above 100 000 tonnes, oil leakage detection is always required.
Below 100 000 tonnes, non duplicated hydraulic rudder actuators may be installed, provided they meet IMO guidelines. Above 100 000 tonnes, there must always be full duplication.
Below 100 000 tonnes, an automatic change-over for oil leakage is optional. Above 100 000 tonnes, an automatic change-over for oil leakage is always required.
Below 100 000 tonnes, the power units can be different sizes. Above 100 000 tonnes, two or more identical power units are required.
Which one of the following statements best describes the importance of the purity of the hydraulic oil used in steering gear?
Steering gear power actuators are very robust and therefore a degree of oil contamination can be tolerated.
Even small solid particles will cause wear, whilst moisture will cause corrosion.
Provided the oil viscosity remains within acceptable limits, the steering gear will continue to work correctly.
Provided the oil remains incompressible, the steering gear will continue to work correctly.
Which one of the following statements best describes the pressure to which the steering gear relief valves are set?
At the maximum working pressure.
Slightly lower than the maximum working pressure.
At 25 % above the design pressure.
Slightly lower than design pressure.
Which one of the following statements best describes the purpose of the upper radial bearing in a rotary vane steering gear, and how it is lubricated?
It takes up the radial loads generated by horizontal forces on the rudder and is separately lubricated by oil or grease.
It takes up the radial loads generated by horizontal forces on the rudder and is lubricated by the steering gear system oil.
It takes up the radial loads generated by the weight of the rudder and is lubricated by the steering gear system oil.
Which one of the following statements best describes where SOLAS says that you must be able to disconnect the bridge control of the steering gear?
From within the steering gear compartment.
From the emergency headquarters and the bridge.
From the engine control room.
Which one of the following statements best describes why SOLAS requires hand rails, gratings and non-slip surfaces to be fitted in the steering compartment?
To ensure that the ship owner will be not be liable for any injuries due to slips.
So that there is safe access to the steering gear immediately for repairs, even in heavy weather.
To save time when the steering gear is opened up for inspection in dry dock.
Because it is usual for steering gears to leak oil.
Which one of the following statements correctly describes the main purpose of the rudder carrier bearing?
To take up any forces caused by the weight of the rudder, and upwards or downward forces on the rudder caused by waves.
To support the weight of the rudder when the steering gear is being maintained in dry-dock.
To align the rudderstock and take up any radial forces caused by waves.
To support the weight of the rudder and any downward forces on the rudder caused by waves.
Which one of these statements about power supplies to electric and electro-hydraulic system for steering gears is correct?
Because the second steering gear motor will start automatically, the alarms and trips fitted are decided by the shipbuilder.
The steering gear motors are fitted with alarms for overload, but to avoid loss of steering will only trip in the event of an electrical short circuit.
The steering gear motors are fitted with alarms for overload, loss of one phase from a 3-phase supply and electrical short circuit, but to avoid loss of steering will not trip in the event of any of these conditions.
To protect the steering gear motors, they are fitted with trips for overload, loss of one phase from a 3-phase supply and electrical short circuit.
Which one of these statements about rudder carrier bearings for rotary vane steering gears is most accurate?
Rotary vane steering gears do not need rudder carrier bearings.
Rotary vane steering gears are always fitted with external rudder carrier bearings.
Rotary vane steering gears may be fitted with external rudder carrier bearings, but in many designs the rudder carrier bearing is part of the rotary vane unit.
Rotary vane steering gears cannot be fitted with external rudder carrier bearings.
Which one of these statements about rudder carrier bearings is true?
A rudder carrier bearing is only required on ram type steering gears.
A separate rudder carrier bearing is only required on ram type steering gears.
A rudder carrier bearing is not required on rotary vane type steering gears.
A rudder carrier bearing is only required on rotary vane type steering gears.
Which one of these statements about the force developed by a hydraulic system is true?
Force equals pressure divided by area.
Pressure equals force times area.
Force equals pressure plus area.
Force equals pressure times area.
Which one of these statements about types of steering gear is true?
Higher pressures are needed for the ram type.
The ram type takes up less space than the rotary vane type.
A greater angle of possible rudder movement is available with ram type steering gears.
Higher pressures are needed for the rotary vane type.
Which one of these statements best describes the main effect of using two steering gear hydraulic pumps instead of one?
The speed of rudder movement is greatly increased.
There is little effect on the speed of movement or the force on the rudder, but reliability is increased.
The force on the rudder is greatly increased.
The speed of rudder movement and the force on the rudder are greatly increased.