One of your ship's indirect-drive steering gear drive motors needs to be replaced. What minimum short-time rating should the replacement motor have in hours?

Correct Answer: Option D — Continuous operation at 15 percent load followed by 1 hour at full load.

46 CFR 58.25-55(c) requires steering gear motors to be rated for short-time duty. Specifically, the motor must be capable of continuous operation at 15 percent load for the duration of the voyage, followed by one hour of operation at full load to ensure reliability during emergency maneuvering.