Marine Steering Systems
Recognized Leader in the design and manufacture of marine steering systems for OSVs, PSVs, Tugs, Towboats, Yachts, Ferries, USCG, Navy & Army vessels, etc.- Over 450 systems manufactured and delivered in the past 35 years, EMI has delivered over 20% of new steering systems supplied in the United States on tugs, towboats and supply vessels in the last three years.
- Traditional, proportional and dual flow systems available: off-the-shelf or custom designed
- Horsepower Limiting designs can reduce power requirements of large systems by up to 50%
- Extremely precise and responsive rudder movement through electro-hydraulic design
- Patented Follow-up Steering Failure Alarm alerts operator to a steering malfunction, providing the ability to switch to another steering mode or system without loss of control
- Emergency Steering Mode – a manual backup if all else should fail
EMI has recently introduced our new retrofit program. EMI will survey existing equipment on vessels and custom designed an upgraded system using as many existing components as possible saving our customers cost and labor while providing an updated steering system. EMI has successfully installed such systems on over 14 Ingram vessels. EMI is also working in conjunction with Rio Marine to upgrade towboats from mechanical systems to electro over hydraulics systems, with customers such as Kirby and Martin Gas.
All components except cylinders are designed and manufactured at our New Orleans facility
Traditional
Also known as “bang-bang” steering, the fluid is released rapidly when the rudder command signal is initiated thereby resulting in a “hammering” action.
- EMI has delivered over 150 of these types of systems generally installed on workboats, towboats, tugs and military patrol boats.
In this type of system, only about half of the fluid is released immediately on rudder command and the second half follows moments later.
This method significantly reduces the “hammering shock” to the system upon solenoid closure.
ProportionalThis design virtually eliminates the “shock” by sending a ramped flow to the cylinders, thereby greatly increasing the life expectancy of the hoses, cylinders and jockey bar connection pins.
- While more expensive than the alternatives, the life cycle cost and inherent reliability improvements are driving many customers to this type of system.
- Now gaining wide acceptance on ITB’s, very large towboats and ocean class ships.
Horsepower Limiting
Horsepower limiting designs can reduce the size of the pumps/motors and therefore the generator power requirements by up to 50%.
Typical Power Units
(click pictures to enlarge)
 3 HP Standard |
 3 HP Yacht Standard |
 5 HP Twin Set Standard |
 5 HP Soft Shift - Yacht |
 7.5 HP Standard |
 15 HP Proportional |
 25 HP Standard |
 25 HP Dual Speed |
 30 HP USCG WLB with Oil Cooler |
 50 HP Proportional |
 60 HP Proportional |
(click pictures to enlarge)
 Steering Alarm Panel |
 Steering Control Panel |
 Aft Steering Selector Switch |
 Followup Levers - Main & Flanking |
 Full Followup Lever |
 Non Followup Levers |
 Rudder Angle Indicator (48690) |
 Local Control Units - Linked |
 Local Control Unit |
 Feedback Unit |
 Emergency Steering Station |