Artikel 51

(1) Vessels shall be provided with a main steering gear and an auxiliary means of actuating the rudder to the satisfaction of the Administration. The main steering gear and the auxiliary means of actuating the rudder shall be arranged so that so far as is reasonable and practicable a single failure in one of them will not render the other one inoperative.
(2) Where the main steering gear comprises two or more identical power units an auxiliary steering gear need not be fitted if the main steering gear is capable of operating the rudder as required by paragraph (10) when any one of the units is out of operation. Each of the power units shall be operated from a separate circuit.
(3) The position of the rudder, if power operated, shall be indicated in the wheelhouse. The rudder angle indication for power-operated steering gear shall be independent of the steering gear control system.
(4) In the event of failure of any of the steering gear units an alarm shall be given in the wheelhouse.
(5) Indicators for running indication of the motors of electric and electrohydraulic steering gear shall be installed in the wheelhouse. Short circuit protection, an overload alarm and a no-voltage alarm shall be provided for these circuits and motors. Protection against excess current, if provided, shall be for not less than twice the full load current of the motor or circuit so protected, and shall be arranged to permit the passage of the appropriate starting currents.
(6) The main steering gear shall be of adequate strength and sufficient to steer the vessel at maximum service speed. The main steering gear and rudder stock shall be so designed that they will not be damaged at maximum speed astern or by manoeuvring during fishing operations.
(7) The main steering gear shall, with the vessel at its maximum permissible operating draught, be capable of putting the rudder over from 35 degrees on one side to 35 degrees on the other side with the vessel running ahead at maximum service speed. The rudder shall be capable of being put over from 35 degrees on either side to 30 degrees on the other side in not more than 28 seconds, under the same conditions. The main steering gear shall be operated by power where necessary to fulfil these requirements.
(8) The main steering gear power unit shall be arranged to start either by manual means in the wheelhouse or automatically when power is restored after a power failure.
(9) The auxiliary means for actuating the rudder shall be of adequate strength and sufficient to steer the vessel at navigable speed and capable of being brought speedily into action in an emergency.
(10) The auxiliary means for actuating the rudder shall be capable of putting the rudder over from 15 degrees on one side to 15 degrees on the other side in not more than 60 seconds with the vessel running at one half of its maximum service speed ahead or 7 knots whichever is the greater. The auxiliary means for actuating the rudder shall be operated by power where necessary to fulfil these requirements.
(11) Electric or electrohydraulic steering gear in vessels of 75 metres in length and over shall be served by at least two circuits fed from the main switchboard and these circuits shall be as widely separated as possible.