46 CFR § 182.620 - Auxiliary means of steering.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t46/s182.620"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "46 CFR § 182.620 - Auxiliary means of steering."
title_number: 46
title_name: "Shipping"
section_number: "182.620"
section_name: "Auxiliary means of steering."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "T"
subchapter_name: "SMALL PASSENGER VESSELS (UNDER 100 GROSS TONS)"
part_number: "182"
part_name: "MACHINERY INSTALLATION"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "46 U.S.C. 3306; E.O. 12234, 45 FR 58801, 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 277; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4."
regulatory_source: "CGD 85-080, 61 FR 986, Jan. 10, 1996, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "182"
---


# 182.620 Auxiliary means of steering.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, a vessel must be provided with an auxiliary means of steering that is:

(1) Of adequate strength;

(2) Capable of moving the rudder from 15 degrees on one side to 15 degrees on the other side in not more than 60 seconds with the vessel at one-half its maximum service speed ahead, or 7 knots, whichever is greater; and

(3) Controlled from a location that permits safe maneuvering of the vessel and does not expose the person operating the auxiliary means of steering to personnel hazards during normal or heavy weather operation.

(b) A suitable hand tiller may be acceptable as the auxiliary means of steering where satisfactory to the cognizant OCMI.

(c) An auxiliary means of steering need not be provided if:

(1) The main steering gear and its controls are provided in duplicate;

(2) Multiple screw propulsion, with independent pilothouse control for each screw, is provided, and the vessel is capable of being steered using pilothouse control;

(3) No regular rudder is fitted and steering action is obtained by a change of setting of the propelling unit; or

(4) Where a rudder and hand tiller are the main steering gear.

[CGD 85-080, 61 FR 986, Jan. 10, 1996, as amended by CGD 97-057, 62 FR 51050, Sept. 30, 1997]