Silly question .... Helm position ....

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Now this may seem a silly question ... but based on my boat has its Morse lever on the stbd cockpit side ....

Helm position ... that is a Wheel station - is it more acceptable or prudent to have wheel fitted to port cockpit forward bulkhead ? Or do some have their wheels on stbd side ?
Just interested ... as later I have considered whether to change to small wheel station ala Halmatic style ..... giving me more room in cockpit for the social activities ....

??
 
I think it's an interesting question Nigel.

On a boat/yacht/ship, does the position of the wheel determine which side to pass an oncoming boat, or does this result from some other fact or tradition.

I was surprised to learn you pass port to port on the rivers, or in other words 'drive on the right'. Someone recently told me you pass starboard to starboard on the sea?

On roads Henry Ford put his steering wheel on the left, or nearside of the car. This is the obvious side, as it is the same side you get on a horse or bicycle, which determined you drive on the right, so as to see around slower vehicles.

William Morris however was more romantic, and liked 'the lady' on his left, as I suspect he was right handed, so sat on the right hand side of the automobile; hence why we drive on the left hand side of the road.

My boat was made in, or around Southampton according to what one person has discovered, and my wheel is on the left side. Some Microplus boats are on the left, and some on the right. Is this US v UK, or sea v river? Or just manufacturers preference.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I was surprised to learn you pass port to port on the rivers, or in other words 'drive on the right'. Someone recently told me you pass starboard to starboard on the sea? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Can I recommend some IRPCS revision.
 
Don't we pass each other everywhere 'port to port' not just on rivers? Otherwise the universal 'get out of jail' instruction for both boats to alter course to starboard to avoid collision, would be counter productive!

Therefore I suppose a port side wheel would make slightly more sense.
 
My inside wheel ios central, outside wheel port, but a lot of boats I've seen have it port, but also a lot stb. I dont think there is any convention, Ships are mainly midships.
 
Malcolm,
You are taking the mickey, I hope ? Otherwise you should not consider helming a boat till you understand Collision Regs.
 
Historically, the helm position was on the starboard side, but for centuries now, it has been a matter of fitting it where most convenient on the boat in relation to space and other equipment, so you can put it where you like. I believe FYI, the 9ton Hillyards for example had the a standard wheel position to port of the centre line on the aft bulkhead of the centre cockpit.
 
Supermalc .... little joke methinks ...

Port to Port is universal inland or offshore ... no matter. Except whn sail-boats affect due to starboard / port tack etc.

I can see a reason for my boat and many - as having on port side lets you be on berthing side of many a yacht where kick astern swings arse to port etc. Also it agrees with Pilots on airplanes .... and all that ....

But I have the morse lever on stbd side and don't really fancy changing it over ..................
 
Halmatics have nice helm station to port in cockpit ...

Most boats I see - have it port side .... of course there are the xceptions where two wheels ... one either side !!

Mmmmmmmmmmmmm interesting responses ... there's me posting and thinking only about boats around today ... makes you think and wonder why conventions get accepted and stick ...

As I was told the reason for UK / etc. right hand drive is based on Stage-Coach days etc. Nothing to do with Mr. Morris etc. Left hand drive as per US based on THEIR stage-coaches having brake lever on that side ... and mail dropped off other side by drivers mate ....

But I am sure that a whole book full of tales of why could be put together ...

So if I put my wheel on stbd fwd bulkhead of cockpit - is it going to look strange / be questioned / against convention ????
 
Re: Supermalc .... little joke methinks ...

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Also it agrees with Pilots on airplanes .... and all that ....

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Not quite, airplanes are commanded from the left seat, helicopters are commanded from the right seat.
 
Re: Supermalc .... little joke methinks ...

Stage coaches, had the driver on the right, shotgun on the left.
 
Ships have the Master\'s day cabin to starboard for a reason

It's the side on which a crossing power driven vessel with right of way over you will be seen. Therefore it is the side over which a worrying Old Man with limited faith in his officer of the watch (this covers 98% of Masters of seagoing ships) will want to cast an eye from time to time.

I did once build a class of ships with the Master's day cabin to port, for a view of the quay. When two of them were pirated, off Indonesia, the pirates went straight to the Chief Engineer's day cabin, to look for the safe, so strongly is this tradition established.
 
Re: Supermalc .... little joke methinks ...

In the colonies methinks, was this also true for the London to York coaches?
When on solid ground I shall continue to keep to the left so I may draw my sword to defend the damsel at my side. However boathook jousting is always port to port. When single handing it is a real b***er with thy steerboard on the other side.
 
Re: Supermalc .... little joke methinks ...

My Grand Banks trawler has the helm on starboard and the arse kicks to starboard in reverse. So preferred docking is starboard to.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I was surprised to learn you pass port to port on the rivers, or in other words 'drive on the right'. Someone recently told me you pass starboard to starboard on the sea? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Can I recommend some IRPCS revision.

[/ QUOTE ]

Note I put a question mark !!! In other words I require a definate answer......as I don't don't go to sea, it is academic anyway (despite my one foray into the Wash)
 
17yrs .... Old Man to Stbd ... Chief to Port

One ship I was on ... pirates boarded ... went straight to Old Mans cabin ... tied him up and opened safe ... they KNEW exactly how much money had been delivered by agents earlier .... location : Singapore Straits.

After this he was understandably nervous ... and in fact went too far other way and we ended up in a fortress accommodation that was duly said to be dangerous ... as access in / out in emergency was restricted too much ...
 
Essential rules and regulations of navigation


General Rules

The following rules of navigation should be obeyed at all times:

Steer on the right-hand side when it is safe and practical.

Remember that even when you have right of way your overriding responsibility is to avoid collision.

Avoid turning vessels around near bridges, bends and lock approaches.

Do not turn across the bows of oncoming craft; wait until it is safe.

Keep a sharp lookout ahead and astern for anything that may require your attention, and anticipate the necessary action in good time.

Keep a sharp lookout for others on and in the water and change speed and direction as necessary to avoid incident. If in doubt, slow down or STOP.

Take care at all times when overtaking. Overtaking vessels must keep clear.

In the vicinity of bridges or sharp bends, a vessel going upstream must give way, of necessary, to a vessel going downstream.

Please note also the local speed limits on each section of river. Some rivers have set up speed limit indicators at intervals along the towpath. Turn to 'Speed Limits' in the 'Useful Information for Boaters' section for more details about each river.

Local Regulations

In the vicinity of events, take advice from officials and marshalls. Races are usually held around a series of buoys and vessels should avoid these turning marks. Motorised craft should be prepared to stop and, when clear, proceed at a steady pace.

Commercial users

Skippers of commercial craft should look out for other river users and allow for the fact that many may be inexperienced or intimidated by the size of passenger boats or tugs with barges.

In narrow lock cuts, remember that some pleasure craft draw up to 1.2m (4 feet) or more and might not be able to manoeuvre.



I recently copied these from the Enviroment Agency site (I think). I have now printed them out and have them displayed in the side window of my boat. I believe these apply to rivers, as it refers to locks.

I don't know of any locks in the sea...... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
Supermalc ... nice one ....

** /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
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