Mcon Steering Gear Control
Kongsberg Maritime Mcon Steering Gear Control — Propulsion, thruster and steering gear unified control system.
Inspector Detail
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Common issues
- Rudder angle feedback transmitter drift or failure causing incorrect rudder angle indication
- Follow-up (FU)/Non-follow-up (NFU) mode switchover faults
- Control panel/touchscreen failure or lock-up requiring changeover to backup control
- Communication link fault between the bridge control panel and the steering gear room unit
- Solenoid valve or hydraulic control signal fault causing sluggish or erratic rudder response
- Power supply/UPS fault affecting redundant control channels
- Software/firmware faults after a power interruption requiring reset or reload
Inspection checklist
- Test changeover between main and emergency/local steering control per SOLAS steering gear test requirements
- Verify rudder angle indicator agreement between the bridge repeater and actual rudder position at the steering gear
- Test follow-up and non-follow-up steering modes
- Check alarm functions (power failure, low hydraulic level/pressure, phase failure) at the control panel
- Verify communication between the navigating bridge and steering gear compartment (dedicated phone/alarm)
- Check backup power supply/UPS battery condition and changeover
- Inspect control panel connectors, cabling and cabinet seals for corrosion
- Confirm a software/parameter backup exists and matches the as-installed configuration
Service intervals
| Steering gear changeover and function test | before departure per SOLAS Ch. V, in addition to the 12-hourly test at sea |
| Rudder angle transmitter calibration check | per running hours or per the class survey interval - confirm against the specific installation's maintenance plan |
| UPS/backup battery test and replacement | capacity check annually, replacement typically every 3-5 years depending on battery type |
| Software/configuration backup verification | after any software update or control system fault, and at each planned maintenance round |
Critical spares
- Rudder angle transmitter/feedback unit
- Control panel/display unit
- UPS battery set
- Control system boards/fuses as listed in the maker's spare parts list - Kongsberg-specific, no generic substitute
- Communication cabling/connectors between bridge and steering gear room
Safety
- Loss of steering control is a critical safety failure - crew must be drilled on immediate changeover to emergency/local (trick wheel) steering
- High-pressure hydraulic steering gear presents injection and crush hazards - isolate hydraulics before working on associated control linkages
- Do not disable redundant control channels for testing without a clear plan to restore primary control
- Electrical work on the control cabinet requires isolation and lockout per the vessel's electrical safety procedure
Class survey
Steering gear control systems fall under SOLAS Ch. II-1 Reg. 29 testing requirements and class Continuous Machinery Survey; surveys check function tests of main/auxiliary steering gear changeover, alarms, and bridge-to-steering-compartment communication, plus records of the required before-departure and periodic at-sea tests.
Components & Design
Component data being added…
Technical Data
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Common failures & inspection points
Measure hydraulic system pressure with calibrated pressure gauge at both port and starboard steering gear units (if dual). Compare against manufacturer specifications per model. Acceptable range typically 100-175 bar depending on model. Record readings and trends.
Visual inspection of steering gear housing, cylinder-ram seals, and rotary vane pump chambers for visible oil seepage. Conduct pressure-drop test (hold pressure for 5 minutes, measure pressure loss). Monitor oil level in hydraulic tank daily. Perform oil sampling and analysis for water/contamination ingress.
Check hydraulic oil tank level indicator (must be within marked range). Monitor oil temperature (should not exceed manufacturer limits, typically 50-65 degrees C). Inspect oil color and clarity for discoloration indicating thermal degradation. Conduct periodic fluid analysis sampling per ISO standards (ISO VG 68 or per model specification). Replace filters on manufacturer-recommended schedule.
Test full range of rudder motion from hard-a-port to hard-a-starboard through multiple cycles. Verify rudder angle indicator accuracy against actual rudder position (visual confirmation on deck or via hydraulic feedback). Measure response time to steering commands. Check for stiffness, delays, or asymmetric movement. For dual systems (SR 723/743, IRV models), verify both power units activate and respond equally.
Verify steering gear holds valid type approval certificate from recognized classification society (DNV-GL, LR, BV, RINA, ABS, KR, CCS, PRS, RMRS). For tankers over 100,000 dwt, confirm IRV model meets IMO single failure criteria. Review maintenance documentation showing certified personnel performed last overhaul per MSC.402(96). Check for valid statutory certificates and class survey status. Confirm dual steering systems (where required) are fully operational and interconnection is proper.
Type-general inspection and maintenance points for this equipment category — not model-specific.
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