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Bridge Equipment
Introduction
As you might imagine, there are many pieces of equipment on any
ship’s bridge. Each ship class has installed equipment to enable that
ship to do its job. It would be almost impossible to describe each and
every piece of equipment that would be found on the bridge of a ship.
However, equipment that is normally found on all bridges will be
covered. As a QMOW, you are responsible for knowing how to operate
all equipment located on the bridge of the ship to which you are
assigned. This may seem to be a large tasking; however, as you
complete PQS for different watch stations on the bridge, you will gain
the required knowledge to operate the bridge equipment for your ship.
Steering Control
The ship’s control console contains apparatuses for controlling the
Consoles (SCC)
movements of a ship. Figures 11-1, 11-2, and 11-3 show three types of
ship control consoles in use aboard ships today. As you can see from
these figures, the ship control console’s physical appearance may differ
from ship type to ship type. On ships that have a ship control console
like those shown in figures 11-l and 11-2, the helmsman must also
complete PQS for ship control console operator. On the bridge of older
ships, like the one shown in figure 11-3, the helm, engine order
telegraph, rudder angle indicator, and steering gyro repeaters are all
located in the near vicinity of the helmsman, but at different locations on
the bridge.
On newer ships, the ship control console houses all the apparatuses for
steering the ship and for controlling its speed in one compact unit.
Additionally, on some ship consoles, like the one shown in figure 11-2,
you will find lighting, steering, and general alarm controls housed in the
ship control console.
Helm Unit: The helm unit for most ships consists of a wheel, rudder
angle indicator, rudder order angle indicator, and synchros that send
electrical impulses to the steering units located in the after steering
room.
Lee Helm: The lee helm unit may be located in the SCC or it may
stand alone near the SCC.
In any case, it sends information to the
engine room to indicate the ship’s speed. In general, a speed order is
sent from the bridge and then the order is answered by the engine room.
11-3
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