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"What would you do if lost your rudder ?"
Depending on where you are and what the circumstances are (food supply, miles out, wx impending)
1. Set up a radio watch schedule with USCG or friends ashore indicating "we are not in distress, simply disabled, and wish to keep up a scheduled watch"
That way if things degenerate in a hurry, there's someone watching your clock.
2. Try to self-trim as best the boat and conditions allow, see if you can make way in a useful direction.
3. Try to rig a steering board, often the salon table or a berth has been designated for that purpose, along with a boom and appropriate fittings. Try to rig other means of steering.
4. Re-appraise situation after all attempts to rig self-steering have been made, i.e. can you make useful progress? Or should aid be called?
Conditions (position, sea state, wind, food and water, crew schedules) will dictate the calls that have to be made.
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