# What's that on the fishing boat window?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-that-on-the-fishing-boat-window/588026>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 6, 2011, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-that-on-the-fishing-boat-window/588026 "2011-07-06T13:41:49Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Dingbang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac8455/32.png) [@Dingbang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dingbang)\
**Post date:** [July 6, 2011, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-that-on-the-fishing-boat-window/588026/1 "2011-07-06T13:41:49Z")

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I keep noticing on “Deadliest Catch,” and I’ve seen it elsewhere, that there is some device on the front window in the wheelhouse. It looks like a circle, maybe 18 inches across, with a cylindrical part in the middle. It’s forward facing and positioned such that it would be in the way of the captain looking out on the deck.

I’m guessing it’s some type of radar-related device. Anyone know?

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**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\
**Post date:** [July 6, 2011, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-that-on-the-fishing-boat-window/588026/2 "2011-07-06T13:44:12Z")

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No, it is the windshield wiper. The disk spins around fast enough to drive water off it, giving the pilot a better view through it.  
(I have not seen the specific show but I have seen other fishing boats.)

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**Author:** ![Dingbang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac8455/32.png) [@Dingbang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dingbang)\
**Post date:** [July 6, 2011, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-that-on-the-fishing-boat-window/588026/3 "2011-07-06T14:15:38Z")

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Well, never would have guessed that. But yep, I even found a link that shows one: [http://www.totalboatcare.com/store/index.php?main\_page=product\_free\_shipping\_info&cPath=318\_482\_504&products\_id=2694&zenid=3fpc43e50pkeag14ufg00sq0t0](http://www.totalboatcare.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_free_shipping_info&cPath=318_482_504&products_id=2694&zenid=3fpc43e50pkeag14ufg00sq0t0)

Thanks.

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**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\
**Post date:** [July 7, 2011, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-that-on-the-fishing-boat-window/588026/4 "2011-07-07T01:59:33Z")

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It also stops ice forming on that piece of window, or throws it off when turned on.

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**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\
**Post date:** [July 7, 2011, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-that-on-the-fishing-boat-window/588026/5 "2011-07-07T15:41:22Z")

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> [@DrFidelius](#):
>
> No, it is the windshield wiper.

Because nothing is actually wiped, it’s usually known as a “clear view screen” or “clear vision screen”.