AUXILIARY BAR

a reference to a metal bar that can be used to control a vessel's rudder in an emergency if something goes wrong with the normal steering mechanism. Auxiliary here means able to supplement or assist machinery, power, etc. The rudder is a vertical blade at the rear of a ship that is turned from side to side to change a ship's course. The rudder is connected to the helm (wheel) by various mechanisms allowing the rudder to be easily turned from side to side in the water. However, if this connection fails, an auxiliary bar can be attached to the rudder as leverage to make the rudder turn.