To simplify what I have already explained the hunting gear in a steering system acts as a feed back mechanism which transmits the rudder position to the pump control lever via floating lever. A change in position of hunting gear will bring change in delivery of the pump in control unit.

Can you elaborate further the purpose of Hunting Gear
mechanism in a Steering Gear System please sir?

Safematic emergency system is an independent system attached to the steering gear who’s purpose is just to automatically operate the isolation valve to switchover the the hydraulic pumps, hydraulic cylinder and mechanical parts. So safematic gear don’t have any hunting gear or floating gear neither have any connection or feedback system connected to them. Hunting gear and floating lever is an integral part of the ship’s steering system and and not safematic system. The safematic steering gear system is not a separate assembly but rather just an independent unit of steering gear system.

While i am not going to explain auto pilot system in details; let me explain in short. A autopilot system use the same steering gear system as the one used under manual command. The only difference is that the telemotor receiver get signal not from human through telemotor transmitter but via a control unit installed on bridge. This control unit analyze the compass direction and current rudder angle to the set course and then make sufficient changes operating steering gear to maintain set course direction.

Yes, we can test the working of safematic emergency system in steering gear system even under normal condition. In fact it is part of u.s coast guard inspection many a time to check the working of safematic system. A safematic system in a steering gear system allows for automatic isolation of defective or leaking hydraulic part of system changing over to the remaining hydraulic pump, hydraulic cylinder and mechanical system for the steering assembly.It is not an separate steering unit but just an independent control unit to isolate and operate bypass valves of four ram steering gear system or rotary vane to automatically isolate the leaking part and switchover to maintain ship’s maneuverability.