The wheel house consists of numerous aids to navigation. There are two [2] DECCA radar systems
one is ARPA capable with a 48 mile scan and a 20 mile ARPA. There is another backup that is equally
capable, except for the ARPA . The Coast Guard and the ship's crew feel this is necessary for the safety
of the crew and passengers, of which we carry as many as 700 on our
summer cruises.
There is one
binnacle with a magnetic
compass normally used to steer the
vessel in emergencies - such as power failures which also has
degaussing capabilities which were used during
WWII for magnetic mines.
There is one gyro repeater steering compass that the ship is steered by,
and numerous repeaters in different locations aboard ship that receive signals
from the master gyro. The master gyro sends "true" courses to the repeaters.
There is a
rudder indicator which allows the bridge to know what angle the rudder is set at.
There is a
clinometer which indicates the degree of roll the ship may be experiencing, especially in
rough weather.
The ship's
wheel is hydraulically controlled, and manned by an able-bodied (A.B.) seaman.
There is one R.P.M. (Revolutions Per Minute) indicator, which indicates
the number of propeller revolutions when underway.
There is a
fathometer which indicates the depth of the water beneath the keel of the ship.
There is a full set of
signal flags, which were used often during the war when the ships were
operating under radio silence.
There are many other gauges and monitors in the wheel house for the safe
navigation of the ship ,
which any of the crew would be happy to tell you about should you care to visit the ship,
open to the
public 7 days a week.
