The console is fitted in the centre of the boat and provides the helsman's controls and seating for the crew, with the helmsman at the front, and the radio operator behind him to the port side and other crew man (navigator) to starboard. All crew positions have foot straps fitted to the deck to allow the crew to 'ride the bumps'. Although there are only three crew seats the boat is capable of carrying twenty two people if necessary.
The helmsman has control of the steering wheel and single hand operation of the engine controls (throttles, gears and engine tilt/trim). Also on the helmsmans console are the illuminated compass, depth sounder, various switches for controlling navigation lights, engine start/stop, individual tachometers and motor thigh temperature warning lights.
Behind the helmsman on the port side is the water-tight VHF radio, hand microphone and loud speaker, (the helmsman also has a radio speaker and mike in his helmet which is controlled by a switch on the throttle handle). Directly behind the helmsman is the Global Positioning System (G.P.S.) which provides co-ordinates, estimated speed, and guidance to programmable waypoints (although waterproof charts of the local area are stored in pockets in the console in case necessary).
The crew seat on the console can be lifted to gain access to the petrol tank filler caps and a locker for gear such as a foot pump for topping up the sponson and an aerosol operated fog horn. In another locker on the console a number of flares are stored, 2 x red for distress and 6 x white parachute flares. The parachute flares are used when trying to locate a casualty at night. The parachute flares are fired into the air to produce a very bright light which slowly descends on a parachute illuminating a large area.
To the rear of the console is the 62m towing rope on a reel which is used in conjunction with the tow bar (stored along side the sponson) to tow stricken vessels to safety. The tow bar can be fitted to the a-frame at the stern of the boat and the tow rope then passed over it to provide a safe method of towing vessels while keeping the rope out of the lifeboat's propellors.
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