PRECAUTIONS IN HEAVY WEATHEK 323
and accidents come unexpectedly; they catch us unawares and not
always under the ideal conditions of an examination room.
The following hypothetical questions and answers may offer guidance
and inspiration
1. Your steering gear carries away. What would you do?
Stop the engines Steady the rudder by bringing the brake into
action on the quadrant. Put up the "not under command5' signal.
Repair the damage.
If one of the chains had parted, say the starboard one, the rudder
could be put hard to port to haul the port chain tight, the rudder would,
of course, have to be clamped in that position by the brake. The strain
on the chain would then assist the brake in keeping the rudder quiet
whilst the repairs were in progress. When finished, unclamp the brake
off the quadrant, go ahead on the engines and take down the "not
under command" signal.
I could connect up my hand steering gear and use that temporarily.
Most ships are also fitted with heavy steering tackles and suitable
leads for them to be used in case of emergency.
2. Your steamer in heavy weather takes a big sea over the forecastle-
head which damages No. 1 hatch. What would you do?
Ease her down. If necessary heave her to. Repair the damage.
Inform the engineers before heaving to so that they may ease the steam
pressure accordingly.
3. How would you heave her to?
By bringing her head slowly in to the direction in which you find
she lies easiest and makes the best weather of it. That would probably
be with the sea a little on either bow. Keep the engines turning just
fast enough to maintain her head in that direction. Fore-and-aft
sails may be useful for steadying purposes.
4. How would you heave her to if you were miming before a heavy sea?
Have everything well secured about the deck and see that the
crew are clear out of the way. Ease the engines down. Watch for a
smooth and at the first good chance put rudder to port and let her
come to. gently. Spread oil freely from the weather bow as she comes
up towards the wind.
In the case of heaving to in a gale of wind and heavy sea it is not
only the weather conditions which Lave to be considered. Much