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STANDARD HELM COMMAND DEFINITIONSProvided by http://www.boatswainsmate.net

The following are Standard Helm Commands which are the same except for minor variationsfrom ship to ship. They are used frequently and in combination with each other.

The Helmsman is the person who physically steers the ship. The helmsman repeats eachcommand back to the conning officer before executing the command. This is done to ensurethat the helmsman fully understands the command. If you are in doubt as to whether you

heard the command correctly, your response shall be command.

The Conning Officer will repeat the given command. Upon repeating the command you shallexecute the given command. After executing the command you shall advise the conning officerthat the command was executed. This informs the conning officer that the command has beenexecuted. The conning officer shall respond with very well if an officer, or with aye aye if anenlisted person. Every response to the conning officer will be followed by sir/maam asappropriate, unless the conning officer is enlisted, in which case only the proper response isrequired.

All of the commands listed below will follow the procedure described above. Only the firstcommand gives an example of the complete procedure. For the remaining commands only thecommand and execution will be described.

COMMAND Come right (left) to ______HELMSMANSRESPONSE

Come right (left) to_ Aye aye sir/maam.EXECUTION Put over the rudder right (left)and steady on the specified course.

You must use the Rudder Angle Indicator and the Gyro or Magnetic

Compass to complete this command.

HELMSMANSRESPONSE

Steady on course sir/ma am.

CONNINGOFFICERS

RESPONSE

Very well or aye aye.

COMMAND Right (left) five (ten, etc.) degrees rudder.

EXECUTION Turn the wheel/joy stick to the right (left) until the rudder is placedat the number of degrees ordered. Use the rudder angle indicatoras your guide.

COMMAND Right (left) standard rudder.

EXECUTION Put the rudder over to the right (left) the specified number ofdegrees necessary for the ship to make a standard tacticaldiameter turn. This is normally 15 or 20 degrees for most Coast

Guard Cutters.

COMMAND Right (left) full rudder.

EXECUTION Put the rudder over to the right (left) the specified number ofdegrees necessary for the ship to make a reduced standard tacticaldiameter turn. This is normally 30 degrees for most Coast GuardCutters.

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STANDARD HELM COMMAND DEFINITIONSProvided by http://www.boatswainsmate.net

COMMAND Hard right (left) rudder.

EXECUTION Put the rudder over to the right (left) to the maximum number ofdegrees allowed for your vessel. This is normally 35 degrees formost Coast Guard Cutters. This command is used only inemergency situations such as to avoid collision. You should ensure

that the rudder angle indicator is used when executing thiscommand. Bad damage to the steering gear can occur if the rudderis put over too far.

COMMAND Right (left) handsomely.

EXECUTION Turn the rudder a small amount to the right (left). Use the rudderangle indicator when executing this command. This command isgiven when a very slight change of course is desired.

COMMAND Increase your rudder to degrees.

EXECUTION Increase the rudder angle to the specified number of degrees. This

command is given when the rudder is already over to the right(left). Use the rudder angle indicator when executing thiscommand.

COMMAND Ease your rudder to degrees.

EXECUTION Decrease the rudder angle to the specified number of degrees right(left). Given when the ship is turning with right (left) rudder, and isturning toward or nearing the desired heading. Use the rudderangle indicator when executing this command. If the conningofficer gives this command without specifying the number ofdegrees, you will ease the rudder by half. For example, if yourrudder is at right/left 20 degrees, you would ease your rudder toright/left 10 degrees.

COMMAND Rudder amidships.

EXECUTION Put the rudder on the zero (0) degree mark of the rudder angleindicator. This command is given when the ship is turning, and it isdesired to make it swing less rapidly.

COMMAND Meet her.

EXECUTION Use enough opposite rudder angle to stop the swing of the vesselwithout steadying on a particular course. This command is usuallygiven when the vessel is nearing the desired course during a largeturn. Also, it will normally be followed by the command(s) steady

as you go or steady on course

COMMAND Shift your rudder.

EXECUTION Change from right (left) rudder (or vice versa) an equal amount.For example, if the rudder is 15 degrees left then you shall shift toright 15 degrees rudder. Use the rudder angle indicator whenexecuting this command.

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STANDARD HELM COMMAND DEFINITIONSProvided by http://www.boatswainsmate.net

COMMAND Steady, or steady as you go.

EXECUTION Steer the course on which the ship is heading when the commandis received. If the ship is swinging to the right (left) when thecommand is given, the heading must be noted, and the vesselbrought back to that course. This command may also be given

after the command to mark your head. If the conning officerwants to steer the course that was called off by the helmsman thenhe will give the command steady, or steady as you go will begiven.

COMMAND Mark your head.

EXECUTION Sound off to the conning officer the ships heading at the time thecommand was given. The heading number is read from thecompass card at the lubbers line. For example, Mark_____degrees gyro/true/magnetic as appropriate.

COMMAND How is your rudder?

EXECUTION This is a question, and the helmsman should reply with the exactlocation of the rudder at the time the command was given. Forexample, my rudder is _____ degrees right (left) sir.

COMMAND Mind your helm.

EXECUTION A warning that the ship is swinging off the course because of badsteering. It is also a command to steer exactly, using less rudder. Ifthe helmsman suspects that there is a problem with the steeringmechanism, the conning officer shall immediately be advised bysounding off steering casualty.

COMMAND Nothing to the right (left) of _____.EXECUTION This command advises the helmsman not to steer to the right (left)

of the course ordered. The command is given when a danger ispresent on one side of the vessel. For example there is a coral reef500 yards off the ships port bow. The helmsman shouldimmediately advise the conning officer if off course to the right(left). Also, advise the conning officer what corrective action youare taking. For example, five degrees off course to the right (left),correcting with right (left) five degrees rudder.

COMMAND Keep her so.

EXECUTION This command means to continue to steer the present course, or to

maintain the rudder in its present position.

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STANDARD HELM COMMAND DEFINITIONSProvided by http://www.boatswainsmate.net

HELMSMANS

RESPONSE

Aye aye.

DEFINITION This response means the order was understood, and you willcomplete the action required to carry out (complete) the order.

Aye aye is sounded of f by the helmsman after repeating each andevery command from the conning officer. This informs the conningofficer that you fully understood the command, and will carry itout.

HELMSMANS

RESPONSE

Command.

DEFINITION Given by the helmsman when the command from the conningofficer is unclear or misunderstood. Also, when the helmsmanbelieves an improper command was given. For example, theconning officer orders left ten degrees rudder when a vessel is fiftyyards off your ships port bow.

CONNING

OFFICERSRESPONSE

Very well.

DEFINITION Given after a report by the helmsman to let the helmsman knowthe conning officer understands the report. If the conning officer isenlisted the response to the helmsman will be Aye aye.

PROCEDURE FOR

SOUNDING OFFPASSINGS

When the helmsman is making a large turn, the compass headingswill be sounded off to the conning officer every five to ten degrees.For example, passing 320, passing 330, passing 340 etc. This isdone so that the conning officer can tell how far and fast the vessel

is swinging, and allows for corrective action if required. The termpassing is not a helm command, but is standard operatingprocedure on most Coast Guard Cutters. If used aboard your shipyou will automatically sound off passings, unless directedotherwise. The conning officer will sound off belay your passings,if they are not needed. Remember compass headings and coursesare always stated in three distinct digits.