RUDDERS & STEERING

GEAR
Basic Principles &
Common Failures

London
8 July 2010
Rudder & Steering Casualty Statistics
 Why do ships need rudders?
A man without a goal is like a ship without a rudder.
Thomas Carlyle.

A ship without a rudder will travel in infinite circles never going anywhere.
 What is a rudder ?
Rudder Blade
Ships Stern

Rudder Stock
Propeller

Schematic View of a
Rudder
 What does it do ?

Straight Water Water Flow

Flow Diverted

Ship Turns this way

What types of rudder are there?
Why do they Differ ?

Pintles

Rudder

Un- Balanced Rudder

Types of Rudder

Semi - Balanced Rudder

 Types of Rudder

2/3 1/3 Balanced Spade Rudder

Types of Rudder

Flap Rudder
More Types of Rudder

Schilling Rudder
More Types of Rudder

Twisted leading edge Twisted trailing edge

More Types of Rudder

Another Twisted Rudder

The Components and Materials Used in
Rudder Construction

Cast Steel

Machined
Taper to fit
Horizontal &
steering gear
Vertical Webs
Forged Steel

Welded Steel
Plate Bronze Bearing
Construction

Hollow Rudder Blade Palm Type Rudder Stock

How do you turn the rudder?
Steering Gear

Electrical
cables

Neck Bearing
Helm in the
Wheelhouse

Rudder
 What turns the rudder and how?

Hydraulic
Cylinder Actuating Pistons
Tiller

Rudder Stock
Oil Oil

Schematic Two Ram Hydraulic Operated System

Types of Steering Gear

Four Ram System Rotary Vane System

Rotary Vane - how does it work? Oil in
Ship turns
to Port

Rotor
keyed onto
Rudder
Stock

Stator Casing
fixed to Ship Oil in
Ship turns to
Starboard
IMO SOLAS (Safety Of Life At Sea)

Some of the Rules for Steering Gear

Two independent means of operating the steering gear

Component materials of adequate strength

Capable of turning the rudder from 35°Port to 35°Starboard

The max time from 35° on one side to 30° on the other to be 28 secs
 What are the Common Failures
Of Rudders & Of Steering Gear ?

Structural building faults

Incorrect or poor quality component materials used

Poor repair work carried out

Negligent fitting work

Insufficient design of associated hull structure

Corrosion damage
Failure due to insufficient support structure
Temporary supports fitted by the ships craft in an attempt to
prevent the rudder stock from jumping into the steering flat.

Carrier bearing and bearing support pedestal.

Area of cracking within the welds of the

brackets and deck doubler plate
 Failure due to poor construction
and workmanship

Rudder being removed for repairs Destroyed rudder carrier roller bearing
The Consequence and Cost of Failures

Collision £500,000 +
Structural Damage £600,000 +
Grounding £1,000,000 +
Thank you