What are the main responsibilities of a helmsman on a ship?

The role of a helmsman primarily involves steering the ship based on the directions given by the Officer of the Deck (OOD). This responsibility is crucial, as the helmsman must effectively translate the navigational commands into actions that control the vessel’s course. This ensures that the ship maintains its intended trajectory, which is particularly important in various environmental and operational conditions.

While navigating through treacherous waters is indeed an important aspect of maritime operations, it is not the primary duty of the helmsman; instead, it falls more within the purview of the OOD and other navigation officers who assess the situation and make those critical decisions. Maintaining the ship's logs and communicating with other vessels are also essential functions but are typically handled by different roles on the ship, such as the quartermaster or the bridge watch team, rather than the helmsman specifically.