[Sailor Steve]

So, is there any information available about where the Japanese stationed the helmsman when running surfaced? Is there ever likely to be? Only having a man on the bridge when visual (i.e. in-port) maneuvering is required would be the sane thing to do in any navy. Most of the time when surfaced on patrol the captain isn't on the bridge, and there is nothing that requires the helmsman to see where he's going. He's following the ordered heading and keeps his eyes on the compass at all times. And he's one extra man to squeeze down the conning tower hatch when a crash dive becomes necessary.