Sailing Safety Guides
Autopilot Failure And Emergency Steering
Autopilot failure is not always steering failure. But if the boat suddenly needs a tired person to steer, the safety problem starts immediately.
The first job is to slow the boat, balance the sails and work out whether the failure is only automation, the drive unit, or the steering system itself.
If the boat is balanced, a tired skipper can steer with small corrections. If the boat is overpowered, every wave becomes work.
Singlehanded, there may be a moment when the skipper must step below for a tool, clothing, chart, radio or quick inspection while still hand steering. A short length of shock cord, often called bungee cord, can be useful if it is already within reach.
The idea is not to lock the rudder hard. The idea is to hold the wheel or tiller near a chosen position with some elastic give. If a wave loads the rudder, the steering can move a little instead of being held against a hard stop.
This is usually kinder to the steering gear than using a hard center lock or wheel brake as if it were an autopilot. It also makes it easier to return to the helm and take over immediately.
A shock cord is only a short pause helper, not a watchkeeper and not an autopilot. Use it only after reducing sail, checking traffic and sea room, and only for the shortest possible time.
The emergency tiller is not ready if it is buried, corroded, missing a pin or impossible to fit in a seaway. It should be tested in calm water before it is needed.
Look for loose steering cables, quadrant movement, broken pins, hydraulic leaks, chain/cable problems, jammed drive arms, water around electronics, low voltage and overheated drive units.
Do not put hands near moving steering gear while someone else is steering. Say clearly when the wheel or tiller must not be moved.
If the rudder still gives some response, slow down and keep loads small. If the rudder is jammed, broken or gone, the boat may need emergency steering from sails, drogues, warps, an emergency rudder, engine thrust or outside assistance. That is boat-specific and should be practiced or at least planned before a passage.
A working autopilot hides how tiring steering can be. Once it fails, the passage plan changes. Hand steering for hours or days may be possible, but it needs rest, food, water, clothing and a conservative sail plan.
Do not wait until the helmsman is exhausted before reducing sail. A slower balanced boat may be the fastest safe way home.
If you have experienced autopilot failure, emergency tiller use, steering cable damage or long hand-steering fatigue, I would be glad to read your comments.
A calm boat with reduced sail is easier to diagnose, easier to repair and easier to keep safe than a fast boat demanding perfect steering.
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