The auxiliary steering system must be capable of steering the vessel at what speed?

The auxiliary steering system must be capable of steering the vessel at navigable speed because this aligns with safety and operational requirements for maritime vessels. Navigable speed refers to the speed at which a vessel can safely maneuver under normal operating conditions, allowing for effective control in various situations such as during tight maneuvers in busy shipping lanes, docking, or encountering adverse weather conditions.

The auxiliary steering system is a secondary method used to ensure that a vessel can maintain maneuverability if the primary steering system fails. It is crucial for the auxiliary system to work effectively at navigable speed because, in critical situations, the vessel may need to take immediate evasive actions or handle unforeseen circumstances while still moving at a speed that enables safe navigation.

While full speed and standard operating speed indicate different performance thresholds, they are not specifically defined to meet the critical requirement of a vessel's operational capability in a variety of situations. Slow speed does not encompass the range of conditions a ship might face during operation. Thus, navigable speed precisely denotes the necessary capability for an auxiliary steering system to ensure safety and control.