9B STEERING GEAR - VESSELS OF 500 GT AND OVER
Objective:- This section outlines the minimum requirements for Steering Gear Classification, which are to be in accordance with the requirements a recognised Classification Society. The Class Notation should cover the minimum aspects defined within this chapter. Due regard is to be paid to the requirements for emergency steering.
For existing and new vessels, the steering gear and its installation should meet the standards of SOLAS regulations II-1/Part C - Machinery installations, so far as it is reasonable and practicable to do so.
In any case, the intention should be to achieve a standard of safety which is at least equivalent to the standard of SOLAS. Equivalence may be achieved by incorporating increased requirements to balance deficiencies and thereby achieve the required overall standard.