Took my first group of passengers on a tour today with me at the controls from start to finish. The vessel is really nice to handle, since she is relatively light, being aluminum, and decently powered, woth twin 250 horsepower caterpillar engines with the propellers positioned far to the outsiders of the ship. This gives lots of leverage and makes it easy to steer with just the throttles. In fact, the entire mooring procedure, as well as departing the dock is done using throttles only, woth the rudders set in the middle and not touched until were out. My boat, the Island Belle docks between the two larger boats in the fleet. When leaving the dock, you let the lines go at the stern, and put your port side engine in ahead and starboard in reverse to swing the stern out. Then you back out of the slip, do a tight 360 degree turn using the engines, and off you go. Here's I've posted the view from the wheelhouse! Not a bad waterfront office I must say. Also you can see the engine room hatch. Its cramped down there, but workable. 2 generators, 2 engines. Its a good spot to work when you get tired of the shirt and tie and want to throw on a set of coveralls and get your hands dirty. My job is mate/engineer for the vessel so I get the best of both worlds!
