Analysis of Steering Gear Under the Requirements of Modern Navigation

This paper presents aspects of the steering gear onboard a merchant ship by analyzing aft and bow systems based on automation and use of modern propulsion. The choice of the transverse propeller is based on several economic considerations (its price, consumption, efficiency, etc.), technical considerations (positioning, size, vibrations induced in the ship’s hull), and maneuverability considerations (the ship’s turning rate under the action of the propeller. Accordingly, the propulsion system can come in various sizes, power values, shapes of the tunnel, and can present fixed or variable pitch propellers. Depending on the maneuverability of the ship, the transverse propulsion is analyzed by taking into account two tests: the turning of the transverse propulsion system test in calm and windy weather, and the steering test. The automation system is designed to control and monitor the on-board operational systems and equipment, and it encompasses a wide range of control, monitor and alarm. The integrated navigational equipment includes the following sub-systems: navigation consoles, ship handling consoles, dynamic positioning consoles, anchoring and deck operations consoles, and propulsion system control consoles. The propulsion control system is especially dedicated to the propeller and thruster control system, resulting in a joint control system, and the cables are reduced in number since the communication lines are used in series. The mandatory condition for successfully solving the problem with the complex automation of naval installations and equipment is the construction of complex automatic control systems (ACS), consisting of: automated commands or remote controls, a system of collecting, processing and displaying information, as well as a system of control, fault detection and diagnosis