The Wheelhouse

Pensioned skipper Kjell Viken takes the ship to harbour in 2009. Kjell was the skipper of M/T Oksøy for many years.

The Wheelhouse is the Ship’s Command Centre.

The wheelhouse, also known as the bridge, is the most important room on board. This is where the helm is located and all navigation takes place here. The ship’s navigational aids are also found here: sea charts, compass, radio communications and modern instruments like AIS and radar.

Crowded in the wheelhouse. The captain in the middle.

The master, or captain, is the officer in charge of the ship, and the bridge is his workplace.

Earlier, there was always a man at the helm when the boat was operative. He steered the ship on the
orders of the master or the first officer. Today, the helm is seldom used and the first officer or the
master, who usually steer the vessel, do so using a small joystick.