Who’s Driving This Thing?
As we continue our trans Atlantic sea days, I’ve been thinking about all the things that happen behind the scenes to keep a cruise ship running smoothly.
We’ve looked at where the fresh water comes from, what happens when we flush the toilet and where all the garbage goes. Today, I thought we’d take a look at something a little different.
Who’s actually getting us from one port to the next?
When we’re onboard a cruise ship, enjoying a meal, relaxing by the pool or watching the ocean go by from our balcony, it’s easy to forget that we’re on a ship travelling across the sea, often through the night while we’re sleeping.
And someone has to make sure we get where we’re going safely!
Welcome to the bridge.
The bridge is the ship’s command centre. This is where the captain and navigation officers oversee the ship’s movements and make decisions about its course.
They have a whole range of equipment to help them, including radar, electronic navigation charts, GPS and systems that show the ship’s position and surrounding traffic.
They also monitor weather conditions, sea conditions and other vessels in the area. The route may need to be adjusted depending on the weather, traffic or other circumstances.
And while we might imagine the captain standing at the controls and steering the ship all day, there is actually a team of officers who share the responsibility. Navigation watches operate around the clock, so there are qualified officers on duty even while most of us are fast asleep.
Does someone actually steer the ship?
Yes, although modern ships have sophisticated steering and autopilot systems that can maintain a planned course. The officers on the bridge monitor these systems and make adjustments when needed. During manoeuvres in port or other situations requiring close control, they may steer manually or use additional assistance.
When entering or leaving a port, the bridge team may also work with local pilots who have detailed knowledge of the harbour and surrounding waters.
What about all those other ships out there?
The officers must keep track of nearby vessels and maintain a safe distance from them. They use radar, electronic charts and the Automatic Identification System (AIS), which helps identify and track many other ships.
Of course, the equipment is there to assist the officers, not replace their judgement. They still need to assess what's happening around them and make decisions.
And what happens when the weather turns bad?
The bridge team monitors forecasts and changing conditions and can adjust the ship's speed or route when necessary. Sometimes that might mean taking a different course to avoid rough weather.
It's another reminder that getting us safely to our next port involves a lot more than simply pointing the ship in the right direction!
I know this is a very simplified explanation of how a ship is navigated across the ocean. There is a whole team of officers using sophisticated equipment and technology to keep us on course and get us safely to our next destination. It’s a lot more involved than most of us probably realize!
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