What is the steering wheel of a ship called?
In the field of navigation, the steering wheel of a ship has a professional name——steering wheel(Steering Wheel). It is the core component of the ship's steering direction. It controls the steering of the ship's rudder by connecting the steering gear or hydraulic system. This article will combine recent hot topics to introduce you to the relevant knowledge of steering wheels in detail, and attach structured data.
1. Basic functions and structure of the steering wheel

The steering wheel is one of the most visible devices in a ship's cockpit (bridge) and is usually made of metal or high-strength composite materials. Its design is inspired by the tillers of early wooden ships. Modern steering wheels are mostly round or semi-circular, with anti-slip textures on the surface.
| Part name | Function description |
|---|---|
| Roulette | Driver's grip part, usually 30-50 cm in diameter |
| axle | The core component connecting the steering gear transmission device |
| fixed bracket | Support structure to ensure steering wheel stability |
2. Correlation of hot topics across the entire network
In the past 10 days, the following hot events have been closely related to navigation technology:
| Date | hot events | relevance |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-11-15 | China's first large-scale cruise ship successfully undergoes trial voyage | Demonstrating new intelligent steering wheel system |
| 2023-11-18 | Panama Canal drought limits traffic | Improved helmsman control skills requirements |
| 2023-11-20 | Autonomous ship testing | Combination of traditional steering wheel and AI system |
3. Technical evolution of steering wheels
The control system of modern ships has experienced three stages of technological innovation:
| era | Technical characteristics | Representative ship type |
|---|---|---|
| mechanical age | Pure mechanical transmission, requires 4-6 people to operate | 19th century sailing ship |
| hydraulic age | Hydraulic assist, one person can control it | 20th century freighter |
| electronic control era | Electronic signal transmission, integrated navigation system | 21st century cruise |
4. Interesting trivia
1.nautical terminology: When the steering wheel is turned clockwise, the ship turns left, which is the opposite of a car steering wheel
2.The best in the world: The largest steering wheel is located in a museum in Norway, with a diameter of 3.2 meters.
3.cultural symbol: In the West, the steering wheel is often used as a symbol of the maritime spirit and appears in the emblems of the navies of many countries.
5. Operating specifications and safety points
According to the latest guidelines from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), attention should be paid to steering wheel operation:
| Project | Standard requirements |
|---|---|
| Check frequency | Test steering sensitivity at least once per shift |
| emergency measures | A backup human steering wheel system is required |
| Maintenance cycle | Comprehensive overhaul of transmission every 6 months |
Conclusion
From the wooden helms of the Columbus era to today's intelligent control systems, helms have witnessed the development of human navigation history. Understanding the mystery of this "ship steering wheel" not only satisfies curiosity, but is also an important window into modern shipping technology. Next time you're on a ship, keep an eye out for the circular device in the cockpit that controls direction.
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