No matter how many times —as a master, a mate or a helmsman—a sailor enters or leaves the harbour, weather and other conditions are always different.
In contrast, though, there are the cooks, cabin-boys and helmsmen, who unfortunately live in tiny cabins four metres square and enjoy living conditions that are not quite so pleasant.
We are now asking that if the ship wants to go to starboard the helmsman should be told to put the wheel to starboard.
She seemed almost to be a ship without a helmsman.
They tell the steersman or helmsman exactly on what point of the compass has to steer.
The simplest thing with a tiller was to tell the helmsman to put the tiller to port or starboard.
There may be a case for re-fashioning the tiller and even engaging a new helmsman.
A helmsman is also required when the ship is not in automatic steering and must be immediately available to take the wheel.
