In addition to the routine (pre-departure) checks and tests, emergency steering drills shall take place at least once every three months in order to practice emergency steering procedures. These drills shall include: (1) direct control within the steering gear compartment;
(2) the communications procedure with the navigation bridge; and (3) where applicable, the operation of alternative power supplies. The date on which the test is carried out must be recorded. (In a UK ship an entry must be made on a special page of the Official Log Book.)
