You need to follow the instructions in the tutorial to the letter or it all goes arse up, you maybe best off restarting the career.
The UI is slowly revealed/made available during the tut. and IIRC you don't get to 'steer' the boat untill you've at least sailed by plotting a course.
Also, although the movie scenes indicate otherwise, you
are actually the captain and old mate is just there for show.
Crazy I know, but thats what we've got to work with!
