Steering position

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Control stand of a container ship

A steering position is a place where a helmsman stands and can control and regulate important functions of a larger watercraft . It is usually equipped with numerous navigational instruments, technical operating elements and, if necessary, small computers. These are used to maneuver the vehicle, control the rudder , the ship's engine and similar important operating elements. The steering position can be above or below deck .

The most striking part of the steering position is the upright steering wheel , which has been replaced by a joystick on computer-controlled ships . On sailing yachts , the steering position is on deck in the cockpit and is mounted on a steering column (with compass ), motor sailers and motor boats very often have the steering position amidships. The helm on which is located on ships bridge usually high above the main deck. The steering position is always manned by an experienced helmsman , especially when sailing through the area or when docking and casting off maneuvers . Depending on the situation, this can also be the ship's officer on watch or the captain himself.

In addition to the main steering position on the bridge, larger ocean-going vessels now have a control position in each of the bridge wings. - In the pre-container era, seagoing vessels had, in addition to their control and command elements on the bridge, an additional emergency rudder mostly on the stern or directly on the stern. - Smaller coasters are usually still equipped in this way today. - Historically, starboard (right) was the place on the ship where the steering position was. Today the name is only used to designate a page.