Open lifeboats are typically fitted with ___ which is provided for steering the lifeboat.

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Steering in an open lifeboat is handled by a rudder that the crew can control directly with a tiller or wheel. An unbalanced rudder is used because it keeps the steering system simple, rugged, and highly reliable in rough conditions. Without a balance portion ahead of the hinge, there are fewer parts that can fail or jam, and the rudder provides straightforward, immediate feedback to the helmsman, making it easier to sense and respond to changes in direction. While a balanced rudder would reduce the force needed to turn, the priority in a lifeboat is durability and dependability, which the unbalanced design delivers.