46 CFR 182.610: Main steering gear requirements

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section sets the requirements for a vessel's main steering gear. The gear must steer the vessel at all service speeds, be controlled from the operating station, and move the rudder within a set time. Vessels with power driven gear must have additional equipment, and vessels more than 19.8 meters (65 feet) in length must have more.

Applies toVessels required to have a main steering gear, with added requirements for vessels with a power driven main steering gear.

What it says

  1. A vessel must have a main steering gear that is strong enough and can steer the vessel at all service speeds.

    46 CFR 182.610(a)(1)“Of adequate strength and capable of steering the vessel at all service speeds;”

  2. The main steering gear must be able to move the rudder from 35 degrees on one side to 30 degrees on the other side in not more than 28 seconds with the vessel moving ahead at maximum service speed.

    46 CFR 182.610(a)(3)“Capable of moving the rudder from 35 degrees on one side to 30 degrees on the other side in not more than 28 seconds with the vessel moving ahead at maximum service speed.”

  3. Control of the main steering gear, including any necessary associated devices, must be provided from the operating station.

    46 CFR 182.610(b)“Control of the main steering gear, including control of any necessary associated devices (motor, pump, valve, etc.), must be provided from the operating station.”

  4. The main steering gear must be designed so that transfer to the auxiliary means of steering required by § 182.620 can be done rapidly, and any tools needed must be readily available.

    46 CFR 182.610(c)“Any tools or equipment necessary to make the transfer must be readily available.”

  5. The operating station must be arranged to give the person steering the best possible all around vision.

    46 CFR 182.610(d)“The operating station must be arranged to permit the person steering to have the best possible all around vision.”

  6. Strong and effective rudder stops must be provided, and they may be structural or internal to the main steering gear.

    46 CFR 182.610(e)“These stops may be structural or internal to the main steering gear.”

  7. A vessel with a power driven main steering gear must have a disconnect switch in the steering compartment, and overload protection is prohibited.

    46 CFR 182.610(f)(1)“A disconnect switch located in the steering compartment, and instantaneous short circuit protection for electrical power and control circuits sized and located in accordance with § 58.25-55(d) of this chapter.”

  8. A vessel more than 19.8 meters (65 feet) in length with a power driven main steering gear must have a visual means at the operating station to indicate operation of the power units.

    46 CFR 182.610(g)(1)“A visual means, located at the operating station, to indicate operation of the power units; and”

Common questions

How fast must the main steering gear move the rudder?

It must move the rudder from 35 degrees on one side to 30 degrees on the other side in not more than 28 seconds. This applies with the vessel moving ahead at maximum service speed.

“Capable of moving the rudder from 35 degrees on one side to 30 degrees on the other side in not more than 28 seconds with the vessel moving ahead at maximum service speed.”

Are rudder stops required on the main steering gear?

Yes. Strong and effective rudder stops must be provided to prevent jamming and damage to the rudder and its fittings.

“Strong and effective rudder stops must be provided to prevent jamming and damage to the rudder and its fittings.”

What extra equipment does power driven steering gear need?

A vessel with a power driven main steering gear must have an independent rudder angle indicator at the operating station. It must also have the other items listed in paragraph (f).

“An independent rudder angle indicator at the operating station;”

Must transfer instructions be posted for the auxiliary steering?

Yes, for a vessel more than 19.8 meters (65 feet) in length with a power driven main steering gear. The instructions must be posted where the transfer is carried out.

“Instructions for transfer procedures from the main steering gear or control to the auxiliary means of steering required by § 182.620, posted at the location where the transfer is carried out.”

The text of 46 CFR 182.610

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of March 31, 2026 · Read it on eCFR

Main steering gear

(a) A vessel must be provided with a main steering gear that is:

(1) Of adequate strength and capable of steering the vessel at all service speeds;

(2) Designed to operate at maximum astern speed without being damaged or jammed; and

(3) Capable of moving the rudder from 35 degrees on one side to 30 degrees on the other side in not more than 28 seconds with the vessel moving ahead at maximum service speed.

(b) Control of the main steering gear, including control of any necessary associated devices (motor, pump, valve, etc.), must be provided from the operating station.

(c) The main steering gear must be designed so that transfer from the main steering gear or control to the auxiliary means of steering required by § 182.620 can be achieved rapidly. Any tools or equipment necessary to make the transfer must be readily available.

(d) The operating station must be arranged to permit the person steering to have the best possible all around vision.

(e) Strong and effective rudder stops must be provided to prevent jamming and damage to the rudder and its fittings. These stops may be structural or internal to the main steering gear.

(f) In addition to meeting the requirements of paragraphs (a) through (e) of this section, a vessel with a power driven main steering gear must be provided with the following:

(1) A disconnect switch located in the steering compartment, and instantaneous short circuit protection for electrical power and control circuits sized and located in accordance with § 58.25-55(d) of this chapter. Overload protection is prohibited;

(2) An independent rudder angle indicator at the operating station;

(3) An arrangement that automatically resumes operation, without reset, when power is restored after a power failure;

(4) A manual means to center and steady the rudder(s) in an emergency; and

(5) A limit switch to stop the steering gear before it reaches the rudder stops required by paragraph (e) of this section.

(g) In addition to meeting the requirements of paragraphs (a) through (f) of this section, a vessel more than 19.8 meters (65 feet) in length with a power driven main steering gear must be provided with the following:

(1) A visual means, located at the operating station, to indicate operation of the power units; and

(2) Instructions for transfer procedures from the main steering gear or control to the auxiliary means of steering required by § 182.620, posted at the location where the transfer is carried out.

Sections it refers to

The plain-English explanation on this page was written with AI from the regulation text above and checked automatically before publishing: every quote appears in the text, every number comes from it, and a second model confirmed each statement adds nothing the text doesn't say. Regulation text current as of March 31, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.