answersLogoWhite

0

The Captain. Or the pilot.

Captains does not "drive" ships, only in movies. The officer on duty on the bridge is in command and navigating the vessel but the actual steering is normally done by an auto pilot. If in confined waters a crew member called a quartermaster is doing the manual steering.

A pilot is a person joining the vessel and helping the captain planning and navigating in coastal areas and confined waters. A pilot never touch the controls, he only advices but the captain is the ultimate authority and can decide to follow the advice of the pilot or not as he chooses.

Usually the pilot is a former captain with a special knowledge of a port of coastline.

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

What else can I help you with?