THE HELM!

    Its still called the "Knowledge Box" out of respect for the Towboats - Steamboat heritage.    And for the training it takes to be the man - Up There, in said knowledge box, working the controls as its Master & Captain.    When your in command of a vessel, its cargo, its crew and its operation are your full responsibility, you certainly better have the Knowledge to do the job.    Because one mistake can cost many lives and millions of dollars in damage and there's no second guessing - Up There in the Box!

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A Peek - Inside A Real Helm

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The Helm of the 10,500 horse Triple Screw - Martha Ingram! 

( Photos by Anthony Van Cura - Ingram Barge )

    Virtually everything on the boat - Is, Or Can Be = monitored and/or controlled by a Pilot from the controls on his console and its multiple backup systems.    The Console - is literally crammed with Switches, Monitors, Alarms and Gauges, Radar & Graphes on = TV screens, that tell him exactly where his vessel - Is.   Or, how its running and even how much fuel the engines are using and can even monitor his progress.    Imagine a race car ... with all its high tech computer systems and you get an idea of just how sophisticated a modern inland river workboat - Is Today.

    The Fathometer constantly monitoring the water depths around the vessel - even out ahead of the tow, reporting objects and shallow spots - for example.    While the radar keeps the pilot aware of other traffic in any weather and aids his navigation - Day & Night.    Here, you discover larger boats, usually have several back-up systems for every device aboard.    And smaller boats have much the same, only smaller sized systems to insure their safe operation.    Naturally the larger the vessel, the more sophisticated things are, like = Secondary or back-up - Bilge Pumps, Fuel Transfer - backup pumps, or backup hydraulic steering - pumps, in case one system fails.    Back-ups are common in just about everything on these vessels, and sometimes finds there are no lees than 3- systems commonly installed to insure the boat can work safely.    For example, some boats have depth sounder's that can tell water depths at the head of the Barges, or the vessels = Bow, plus both sides of the tow, as well as its Stern.    Literally a mass of wires and equipment that run the entire vessel, must be a part of the modern helm in today's workboats! 

    But what you may not realize, is just how many ways a helm, can be mounted structurally to the decks below it, to enhance its usage.    Depending upon the Helms - mounting, it can improve a pilots - clear view out over the tow, or astern for example.    And reduces the helms - overall weight sometimes, depending on the method used to mount it to the structures below it,    Here, a small vessel may have a critical balance problem - if its equipped with an extremely tall structure - for example.    While the theory - is, "The higher above your work - That You Are.....THE BETTER YOU SEE!" .... Read More Below!!!!

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5-Ways, a Helm = Is Mounted To The Deck!

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   Deck Mounted - Helm   //  Elevated Helm   //  Sky Scraper - Helm  //  Stilt Mounted - Helm   // Hydraulically Raised - Helm

    Noting the traits Shipbuilders Use or build into helm structures, it tells a great deal about them.    And the boats they built, from the Past to Present Day.    A little study of these traits, reveals much about the history of the builder, once you recognize the designs and who built them.    

    # 1 - Deck to Deck - in typical fashion, meaning the helm is mounted like any other deck structure, Directly Atop The Deck - Below It, without any raised or additional extended height - Added.

    # 2 - Elevated, using a small amount of additional raised structuring, giving more height, usually about 4 to 5 feet above a normal deck structures - height, to raise it higher, so pilots can see - clearly over barges.

    # 3 - Sky Scraper, mounted atop what looks - like another whole deck, generally which shows little or no windows, exit an exit doorway or vents.    A Skyscraper Helm, has this unique small structure - under it, usually the same size as the helm - itself.    Which is really an enclosed area for the stairway to lower decks, plus added space for the electronics' systems of the helm controls.    Called a Skyscraper - Helm, because it looks like a whole deck was added - under the helm, while its inner areas are filled with heating & ac systems and the stairways to below decks - As I Said.    

    # 4 - Stilt Mounted, a helm mounted atop of "Long Legs" or Stilt-Legs, which raises the helm higher than normal.    Reducing weight by using stilt - legs, instead of solid steel structures, reduces the weight on smaller vessels, where structural heights are critical to a boats - Roll-Over Rating.

     #5 - Hydraulically Raised - Helms, which is a helm structure that can be "Raised & Lowered" to get under low obstructions on rivers.   Mounted on a hydraulic ram which the pilot controls - the helms height, making vessels which use this style of helm, being called a Jack- Up or Retractable Helm - Towboat."    Note, the reason helms have so - many ways of being mounted, provides vessels with the maximum amount of "Height" for a pilots - clear view, over the barges!

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      The Helm on a Smaller Towboat    Tight - Cramped  and limited in space allowing only the most important items, the helm is no-less cluttered on a small boat that a larger one.    Here a small - helm, leaves you often feeling like your - inside a closet.    (( Note the Duel - Steering = Hand Tillers )), the pilot uses to steer with either hand on the consol.    The shorter - Hand Tillers, operate the  Flanking Rudders, and steer when going in - Reverse.    The Lower - or Longer Hand Tillers, are used for the Stern Steering, when going Ahead.   Both systems are commonly found on all types of inland workboats.    Other systems include Radar = 1 or 2 units, Sonar = 1 to 3 units, plus Vhf Marine radios = 3 radios are commonplace, plus a Marine Cellular Phone, Stereo Radio / CD / Tape system, and often a TV & Sat TV System too.    Naturally this also includes the usual stuff, like a Coffee Pot = LARGE 30 cup version, Field Glasses, River Charts or Maps and the Ships - Log Book.    Plus a Captains Chair - with foot rests ( or a Stool to set on - When Steering ), a Ships Clock, Fire extinguishers, Couch or Captain's sofa = Small in Sizes, Chart Table and / or other cabinets for general storage.   All tightly packed into a room, often smaller than some bathrooms or closets .... Where crews spend a lot of time, working or relaxing between shifts.    To be invited into the helm, is an honor for Anyone! .... Even Kings & Presidents can't enter this domain, unless the Captain - Gives Them Permission!

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    The Helm of older "Line Haul" Towboats      shows a lot more of everything you expect to find, then in a smaller version, including things you don't always expect.    For example - a bathroom, hidden under the sofa is almost a standard item on larger boats.    Hidden beside the sofa or under its cushions, in a small cabinet with a lift-up top.    After all, when nature calls, a pilot can't leave the helm - Now Can He.    Note - The 2nd photo shows - The Helm Console, has various controls, including a "Foot Rail", for pilots, when setting down to steer the boat.

Tap Photo To Enlarge

    Inside the Helm of a large "Jeff Boat" - Line Hauler  compared to others, the Jeff boat - helm is very roomy, with lots of space.    crammed full of equipment, like; 2 radars and other vessel control systems..    Including a stairway - going to below decks, an office desk & chair, and even a bathroom ( Head ), hidden under the couch - cushions.    Plus a small - Wash Basin = Sink, plus a cold water drinking fountain, as well as a small mini - refrigerator to store milk, soda and food items, pilots like handy - as snacks between meals.  ( Photo supplied by Barry Griffith )

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How Pilots Steer, Using - Duel Steering

    Watch The Pilot's hands - In The Above Drawing.... As he moves both systems - Using Either Hand On The Tillers  .... Note  there are "Twin Sets Of "Hand Tillers" = for each system.    That's, so pilot's can steer - either system, with either hand.    You may also notice in the above moving drawing, there two separate sets of tillers, meaning Long - Tillers & Short - Tillers on the console.    The Short Tillers operate only the Flanking Rudders.    And the Longer - Hand Tillers, operate only the Stern Rudders.    So a pilot may use either - hand, to steer = either system.    And by shifting the engines into Reverse or Forward, or opposing directions, he can maneuver the vessel in any direction, while using both rudder systems to maneuver the boat = Port Or Starboard, Sideways, or even at Angles.    Or swing the vessel 180 or 360 Degree's, within its own lengths without any difficulty.    NOTE - Stern Tillers = Longest Hand Tillers, are located on the bottom in their mounted positions on the helm's console.    And the Flanking Tillers, are located on the Top, above the Stern Tillers, as shown in the above "Moving Drawing" .... NOTE..... HOW THE PILOT = MOVES Or Switches his hands to operate - Each System Of Tillers!

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Helm Interior - Details

Typical of All Boats, Any Class or Size

    With all the shipyards on our inland rivers, just about anything goes, especially when a buyer / owner wants something special, and often does.   But the basic colors - used, inside the helm, can be very typical colors - as well, so here is a list to the basic colors - we have seen commonly.

    WOOD GRAINED PANELING = usually light to medium color, going halfway up the wall, or from floor to ceiling.    If divided = halfway up the walls from the floor, the upper portion is painted a light- Tan, or  Yellow as the most often colors seen.    Also a common "Light Green" is used here, as well as overall inside the helm.

    INTERIOR COLORS = Usually finds the most often color used, is a Light Green or Dark Yellow, with Light Brown or Tan trim.   Note .... some specific colors can actually aid the pilots - view, under adverse weather conditions.  Whether Day or Night - for example, some colors will aid or hamper vision!

    TRIM COLORS = WINDOWS and HELM CONSOLE, are usually metal or chrome plated, or painted "Gray" from the steering console to the desk tops.  Windows may open - outward or inwards and can be sliding types in fashions.    Many Forward- center helm windows,  do slide or open as explained above on older boats, usually opening- Up or Down in fashion.   Newer boats usually don't include side or forward and stern - windows, that slide open, unless specially ordered to do so, in a buyer's choice.  Since most boats all have A/C & heat systems to keep the helm cool or warm in all weather!

    CEILING TILE = Sound proof types ( Square tiles ) in White, are most commonly used, along with "White" Paneling too.

    HAND RAILINGS = Stairways inside the helm -  to lower decks   ( Chrome Metal ) with some older boats having Brass - Handrails, however this is less often seen today, "Just To Expensive!"

    FLOORS = Tile or Carpeting is usually the case, with straight forward patterns.   Tile Floor colors & patterns, range widely from Speckled - "White & Black" to checkered Gray & White or dark speckled patterns with white tiles - in patterns..   CARPETING - Usually finds the most typical colors are Gray / Yellow & Brown or Tan colors, in "SHORT PILE" Types of textures used.

    HELM ELECTRICAL PANELS - Usually are Gray - in color, much like a common A/C Power Panel is found in a circuit breaker box, for homes.   Lights switches - cover all areas of the vessel, its decks and can be completely controlled from the helm.    Including - SPOT LIGHTS, SIDE FLOOD LIGHTS, DECK LIGHTS ( Called Guard Lights ), And ALL NAVIGATION LIGHTS.  These are usually switched systems mounted along one side of the helm console, for easy reach by pilots    Or can be in some systems, be specially mounted - right on the console for control dash boards for constant usage.

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Last Updated On 06/29/23 . With