Helm Commands

[Kennebec_Captain]

The helm command “STEADY” has different a meaning depending on the area.

I’ve posted about this before.:

@Kennebec_Captain

The helm commands “steady” and “steady as she goes” are used differently in different parts of the world.

In the U.S. “steady” and steady as she goes" have the same meaning:

If; however, you receive the order, “Steady” or “Steady as she goes,” immediately check the swing of the ship and steady her on the course she was heading when you received the order. - From United States Maritime Service Training Manual, Deck Branch Training, 1943,

Outside the U.S. the command “steady” means check the swing of the ship and, once the swing is stopped, steer the course you are on.

When my helmsman get this command they stop the swing of the ship and then try to haul the ship back to the course when the command was given. In a narrow channel with sharp turns often the command is given before the ship is close to the new course as the pilot is anticipating the helmsman needs time to stop the swing. This means once the ship lined up with the channel the helmsman starts a new turn in the opposite direction from the last one in spite of the fact that the swing is stopped and the ship is pointed down the middle of the channel.

The above was from observation from watching the pilots, I hadn’t seen the IMO standard commands at that point.