What maintains the ship's heading and carries out course changes?

The steering gear is responsible for maintaining the ship's heading and executing course changes. It works in conjunction with the rudder, which directs the flow of water, allowing the vessel to change direction. The steering gear translates the commands from the ship's helm into movements of the rudder, effectively controlling the orientation of the vessel.

While the rudder plays a crucial role in directing the ship, it's the steering gear that integrates the ship's waypoint navigation system and provides the mechanical means to move the rudder. The propeller, on the other hand, is focused on generating thrust to move the vessel forward, while the anchor is primarily used to hold the ship in place rather than facilitate navigation. Therefore, the steering gear is the essential component for actively managing the ship's course and heading.