When i was a Training Mate. My Captain would make me turn it off so I would learn to steer without it . Staying focused on the Range Lights etc. It does help a lot when it gives you a heads up that your bow is moving and you can check the swing before it becomes noticeable.
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Nah, they’d just cough to remind a green 3/M they better think about starting a turn before the Old Man would yell!
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Back in the day, I started as a deckie on a Coast Guard cutter. We always had a helmsman steering the ship. Very rarely was the helm on iron mike.
One of the things we used to do was attempt a 360. First you checked the paper chart to see if you were in open water. Then a quick scan for contacts.
Next you would engage the Officer of the deck in some salacious conversation. Then you applied very light rudder with a slow rate of turn so the gyro clicks don’t give you away. The object was to complete a 360, steady up on your original course, before the next 15 minute fix, without anyone noticing.
I saw a guy get caught once. Real scene, old man on the bridge the whole deal.
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We have:
But most “push boats” use DeHart.
What is the price and availability of these units? Now that Dehart is no longer in business mariners will need other options.
They have an office in Houston, Tx:
https://www.alphatronmarine.com/en/contact/houston-us/
1205 Butler Road
TX 77573 Houston
United States of America
And distributors in the US