Class 2 (2nd Engineer) MEKG 📅 Jul 2023

Exam Question

With respect to the steering gear, answer the following:

(a) Explain with a diagram, a "failsafe steering gear" suitable for use on a tanker of more than 100000 T dwt. (8)

(b) Explain the sequence of events that take place when an Oil leak takes place in one of the hydraulic pipelines. (8)

Reference Answer

### (a) Failsafe Steering Gear for Tanker > 100,000 DWT
For a tanker exceeding 100,000 DWT, SOLAS Chapter II-1, Regulation 29 mandates a high degree of redundancy. The main steering gear must consist of two or more identical power units. A failure in one power unit or its associated piping must not render the other power unit inoperative. The most common system that meets and exceeds these requirements is the **Four-Ram Electro-Hydraulic Steering Gear** of the Rapson Slide type.
#### Concept of 'Failsafe'
A failsafe system ensures that a single point of failure (e.g., a burst pipe, motor failure, pump failure) does not result in a total loss of steering capability. The system must be capable of being reconfigured swiftly to restore steering, typically within 45 seconds. The four-ram design achieves this by providing complete redundancy in power units and partial redundancy in the ram/cylinder arrangement.

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