1. (a) Each vessel must have a steering failure alarm system that actuates an audible and visible alarm in the pilothouse when the actual position of the rudder differs by more than 5 degrees from the rudder position ordered by the followup control systems, required by part 58, subpart 58.25, of this chapter, for more than:

   1. (1) 30 seconds for ordered rudder position changes of 70 degrees;
   2. (2) 6.5 seconds for ordered rudder position changes of 5 degrees; and

   3. (3) The time period calculated by the following formula for ordered rudder positions changes between 5 degrees and 70 degrees:

      t = (R/2.76) + 4.64

      Where t = maximum time delay in seconds R = ordered rudder change in degrees

2. (b) The alarm system must be separate from, and independent of, each steering gear control system, except for input received from the steering wheel shaft.

[CGD 74-125A, 47 FR 15272, Apr. 8, 1982, as amended by CGD 94-108, 62 FR 23910, May 1, 1997; USCG-2004-18884, 69 FR 58348, Sept. 30, 2004]