[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 46, Volume 4]
[Revised as of October 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 46CFR130.130]

[Page 447-448]
 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
    CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (CONTINUED)
 
PART 130--VESSEL CONTROL, AND MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS--Table of Contents
 
                        Subpart A--Vessel Control
 
Sec. 130.130  Steering on OSVs of less than 100 gross tons.

    (a) Each OSV of less than 100 gross tons must have a steering system 
that complies with--
    (1) Section 130.140 of this subpart; or
    (2) This section.
    (b) Except as provided by paragraph (i) of this section, each vessel 
must have a main and an independent auxiliary means of steering.
    (c) The main means of steering (main steering gear) must be--
    (1) Of adequate strength for, and capable of, steering the OSV at 
each service speed;
    (2) Designed to operate at maximum astern speed without being 
damaged; and

[[Page 448]]

    (3) Capable of moving the rudder from 35 degrees on one side to 30 
degrees on the other side in no more than 28 seconds with the vessel 
moving ahead at maximum service speed.
    (d) Control of the main steering gear must be available from the 
pilothouse, including control of any necessary ancillary device (motor, 
pump, valve, or the like). If a power-driven main steering gear is used, 
a pilot light must be installed in the pilothouse to indicate operation 
of the power units.
    (e) The auxiliary means of steering (auxiliary steering gear) must 
be--
    (1) Of adequate strength for steering the OSV at navigable speed;
    (2) Capable of steering the vessel at navigable speed; and
    (3) Controlled from a place that--
    (i) Can communicate with the pilothouse; or
    (ii) Enables the master to safely maneuver the vessel.
    (f) The steering gear must be designed so that transfer from the 
main steering gear or its control to the auxiliary steering gear or its 
control can be achieved rapidly. Any tools or equipment necessary for 
transfer must be readily available. Instructions for transfer must be 
posted.
    (g) Each vessel must have instantaneous protection against short 
circuit for electrical-power circuits and control circuits, the 
protection sized and located to comply with Secs. 58.25-55 (d) and (e) 
of this chapter.
    (h) A rudder-angle indicator independent of the control of the main 
steering gear must be installed at the steering-control station in the 
pilothouse.
    (i) No auxiliary steering gear need be installed if--
    (1) The main steering gear, including power systems, is installed in 
duplicate; or
    (2) Multiple-screw propulsion--with independent control of 
propulsion from the pilothouse for each screw and with a means to 
restrain and center the rudder--is installed, and if that control is 
capable of steering the OSV.
    (j) Each vessel with duplicate (parallel but cross-connected) power 
systems for the main steering gear by way of compliance with paragraph 
(i)(1) of this section may use one of the systems for other purposes if-
-
    (1) Control of the subordinate parallel system is located at the 
steering-control station in the pilothouse;
    (2) Full power is available to the main steering gear when the 
subordinate parallel system is not in operation;
    (3) The subordinate parallel system can be isolated from the means 
of steering, and instructions on procedures for isolating it are posted; 
and
    (4) The subordinate parallel system is materially equivalent to the 
steering system.