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DOCK-TIONARY: PILOTHOUSE
Welcome back to Dock-tionary, where we help ferry fans learn how to speak boat. This month, we’re talking about the importance of the pilothouse – where it is, and why it is an essential area onboard our ferries.
The pilothouse is like the ‘front seat’ on marine vessels where the captain commands the ship. The pilothouse (sometime called the wheelhouse) serves as the command center for navigation and control. Positioned atop the main deck, typically near the front of the vessel, this area provides the captain and crew with an unobstructed view of the surrounding waters, essential for safe navigation through any body of water – and especially the San Franisco and San Pablo bays. This room, separated from the main passenger cabin houses the ship's steering controls, navigational instruments such as radar and GPS systems, communication equipment, which assists in communicating with other vessels.
For San Francisco Bay Ferry vessels, the pilothouse serves as a crucial vantage point to the unique challenges presented by the Bay Area’s dynamic geography, including the many microclimates captains may steer through (hi Carl the Fog!). During certain parts of the year, captains must use their unobstructed views form this perch to look out for potential debris in the water and other vessels. With advanced navigational equipment, multiple steering stations to facilitate berthing, and large windows for a 180 degree view in front of the vessel, the pilothouse ensures that our vessels can efficiently carry passengers between terminals while maintaining the safety and reliability that our riders have come to expect and enjoy.
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