|
The command console on a larger fishing vessel
is at the centre of the bridge, with a clear view
all around. The compass or a repeater is
well- displayed for the benefit of the helmsman.
The autopilot is built into the steering console
with all the associated controls (i.e. rudder
position, rate of turn indicator, etc.). On a
fishing vessel the equipment is normally clustered
around the skipper's chair but in the largest
vessels an additional chair is provided for a
co-pilot. Indeed, the layout is remarkably similar
to the cockpit design of a modern aircraft, with
the instruments surrounding the pilot and co-pilot.
The main displays are shown on monitors in front of
the control position and increasingly these are
shown on one large integrated display. Instruments
or monitors that are used more infrequently are
mounted in the deckhead (i.e. ceiling). Probably
the only differences from the layout of an aircraft
cockpit is that there is more space available on
the bridge of a fishing vessel and the bridge
windows are tilted downwards rather than upwards as
in an aircraft.
The instruments spread around the skipper can be
grouped into several relatively-loose categories.
The first is navigational instruments which
are used for the navigation of the vessel while at
sea and in harbour. Other instruments are used in
the search for fish and during the fishing
operation. These are described under fish
detection but also include electronic aids to
the fishing operation. Radio communications
are vitally important for the safety and for
general communications, and as such are situated
around the control position. Communications within
the vessel are also provided at this point with
links to the messroom, the skipper's cabin, engine
room and key points on the working deck of the
vessel.
Tension meters built into the winches allow the
skipper to monitor the fishing gear and display
information, which indicates any malfunction.
Trawlers have the tension on both towing warps
displayed so that if the gear comes fast on the
bottom an immediate alarm is sounded. Differing
tensions on the two warps indicate a malfunction
unless this is caused by a change in course. In
fact, modern computerized winch controls allow for
changes in the warp length, to ensure that the
trawl remains in a fishing mode throughout a change
of course. In purse seine, sensors give the rate of
sinking of different parts of the net during
setting which can be important. Other types of
fishing gear such as gill nets and longlines can be
installed with automatic readouts fitted on the
reels and drums which give an indication of the
length of fishing gear which has been set.
|
