Despite the increasing use of azimuthing thrusters to provide manoeuvrability as well as propulsion, the vast majority of vessels today still rely on the rudder for controlling the course being steamed. To operate this there are two basic types of gear -ram and rotary vane - that provide the necessary power to move the rudder of even the largest and/or fastest ship. Both systems are required to have complete redundancy so that the failure of any one part should not affect the ship's ability to steer.
展开▼
