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Maritime & Shipping vocabulary · Ship Types & Ship Structure

Rudder

Meaning in maritime & shipping, with examples

/ˈrʌdər/nounCommon term

In maritime & shipping, rudder means: A flat, movable blade at the stern, under the water, that is turned to change the direction of the ship.

In Turkish: dümen, dümen palası

How it is used

The rudder angle is shown on the bridge by the rudder angle indicator, usually up to 35° each side. Before departure, officers check during the steering gear test that the rudder follows the helm correctly.

Example sentences

  1. The rudder angle indicator shows fifteen degrees to starboard.

  2. With the ship in ballast, the top of the rudder is out of the water.

Common collocations

  • rudder angle
  • rudder angle indicator
  • rudder stock
  • rudder hard over
  • helmThe wheel or control used to steer a ship, and by extension the steering of the ship itself. The person who steers is the helmsman.
  • steering gearThe machinery, usually hydraulic, that turns the rudder according to the orders from the bridge. It is located in the steering gear room at the stern.
  • propellerA set of curved blades on a shaft at the stern that turns in the water and pushes the ship ahead or astern.
  • sternThe back end of a ship, where the rudder and propeller are usually found. On many merchant ships the accommodation and the bridge are also close to it.

More terms: Ship Types & Ship Structure

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