🔍 Key Concepts

• Hydraulic ram steering gear operation (how opposing rams move the tiller arm and rudder stock) • Relationship between a left (port) rudder command and the direction the rudder stock G and tiller move in this specific plan view (note the "Forward" arrow) • Which side’s cylinder must extend vs. retract to produce a port rudder angle, and how that affects which hoses are pressurized

💭 Think About

• First decide: for a left (port) rudder command, does the tiller arm at the top need to move to port or starboard when viewed from above, and how does that translate to rotation of rudder stock G? • Look at both rams: if the rudder is ordered left, which ram (port or starboard) must push and which must pull on the tiller arm to rotate the stock correctly? • Consider the hydraulic circuit: when one side of a double‑acting ram extends, do you expect only one hose under pressure, or pressure on one side and return on the other?

✅ Before You Answer

• Verify the viewpoint of the drawing (plan vs. stern view) and use the Forward arrow to decide what “left rudder” means in terms of rotation of stock G. • Check which ends of the rams and linkages (M, B, C, F, I, L) are connected to the tiller arm and how their extension/retraction changes the tiller angle. • Confirm whether the component marked N is a continuously open mechanical linkage or a separate valve that is only opened at certain times—not specifically by each rudder order.