Steering system with twin actuators and tie bar

A steering system for a marine vessel having two movable steering apparatuses, the steering system comprising:

• a first movable steering apparatus having a first hydraulic steering actuator for steering the first movable steering apparatus;
• a first hydraulic system including a first hydraulic pump for supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to the first steering actuator;
• a second movable steering apparatus having a second hydraulic steering actuator for steering the second movable steering apparatus;
• a second hydraulic system having a second hydraulic pump for supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to the second steering actuator, the second hydraulic system being hydraulically independent of the first hydraulic system;
• an electronic pump control apparatus for controlling hydraulic fluid output of the first hydraulic pump and hydraulic fluid output of the second hydraulic pump;
• and
• a mechanical steering linkage operatively connecting the first steering apparatus to the second steering apparatus so the steering apparatuses are steered synchronously and one of the hydraulic systems is capable of steering both movable steering apparatuses where one of the hydraulic systems fails.

A method of steering a marine vessel having a first steering apparatus with a first steering actuator for steering the first steering apparatus, a second steering apparatus having a second steering actuator for steering the second steering apparatus and a control apparatus, the method comprising:

• operatively connecting the first steering apparatus to the second steering apparatus with a mechanical steering linkage so the steering apparatuses are steered synchronously;
• providing a steering angle setpoint to the control apparatus;
• and
• providing the same control command for both steering actuators from the control apparatus, whereby both of the actuators are steered the same amount.