Pilothouse
Encyclopedia
A pilothouse or pilot-house is a glass-enclosed room from which a ship
is controlled by the ship's pilot
. The pilothouse also is known as the wheelhouse.
It usually is located on top of the largest deck (the texas deck
) or highest deck. The steering wheel
or helm, compass
, engine order telegraph
, and chart table are located here. On many ships, especially military and cruise ships, the pilothouse is considerably larger and combined with a number of other control structures as part of the ship's bridge
.
Pilothouses may also be a feature of smaller vessels
.
Ship
Since the end of the age of sail a ship has been any large buoyant marine vessel. Ships are generally distinguished from boats based on size and cargo or passenger capacity. Ships are used on lakes, seas, and rivers for a variety of activities, such as the transport of people or goods, fishing,...
is controlled by the ship's pilot
Maritime pilot
A pilot is a mariner who guides ships through dangerous or congested waters, such as harbours or river mouths. With the exception of the Panama Canal, the pilot is only an advisor, as the captain remains in legal, overriding command of the vessel....
. The pilothouse also is known as the wheelhouse.
It usually is located on top of the largest deck (the texas deck
Texas (nautical)
A texas is a deckhouse immediately below the pilothouse of a straight-deck freighter. It is named Texas because Texas was at one time the largest state, and the captain's cabin is usually the largest cabin. Other areas were also named for states....
) or highest deck. The steering wheel
Steering wheel
A steering wheel is a type of steering control in vehicles and vessels ....
or helm, compass
Compass
A compass is a navigational instrument that shows directions in a frame of reference that is stationary relative to the surface of the earth. The frame of reference defines the four cardinal directions – north, south, east, and west. Intermediate directions are also defined...
, engine order telegraph
Engine order telegraph
An engine order telegraph or E.O.T., often also chadburn, is a communications device used on a ship for the pilot on the bridge to order engineers in the engine room to power the vessel at a certain desired speed...
, and chart table are located here. On many ships, especially military and cruise ships, the pilothouse is considerably larger and combined with a number of other control structures as part of the ship's bridge
Bridge (ship)
The bridge of a ship is the room or platform from which the ship can be commanded. When a ship is underway the bridge is manned by an OOW aided usually by an AB acting as lookout...
.
Pilothouses may also be a feature of smaller vessels
Pilothouse yacht
A pilothouse yacht is one where the design and layout allow the crew to keep a safe and effective watch without having to be on deck. There must be all-round visibility from within the yacht's accommodation - somewhere for a crewmember to keep watch comfortably whilst fully protected from the...
.
See also
- Bridge (ship)Bridge (ship)The bridge of a ship is the room or platform from which the ship can be commanded. When a ship is underway the bridge is manned by an OOW aided usually by an AB acting as lookout...
- WheelhouseWheelhouseWheelhouse or Wheel-house may refer to a number of topicsIn nautical context*The location of the steering wheel of a boat or ship**Bridge **Pilothouse...
- other uses of the term - Dodge B SeriesDodge B SeriesChrysler's Dodge division has used the B Series name on two different vehicles, a pickup truck and a van.-Pickup truck:The B-series pickup trucks were sold from 1948-1953. They replaced the prewar Dodge Truck and were replaced by the Dodge C Series in 1954. The B Series trucks came in several...
- Dodge B-series pilot-house trucks from 1948 to 1953