"In most, if not all ships featured on the show, the windows in front of the captains have circular cut-outs with glass inserts and some type of plastic cylinders in the center of them. I haven't been able to figure out what these are, and what purposes they serve.

Can somebody answer me? My guess was some sort of A/C or Heater, but if that's the case why is it right in the captain's line of sight? Seems like it's deliberately right in front of where the captain would want a clear view.

If somebody knows and wants to enlighten me, I'll be grateful.

Thanks,

Ryan Havely"

"Thanks. That's been bugging me since the show started. Somebody else told me it was a motor that spun the inner circle of glass to keep water off. Maybe some do both?

I actually thought it might be something like that, but that seemed like a really over-elaborate system, considering you can't really see through the motor in the middle. I guess when the wind's blowing 60 mph and the temp is 40 below, regular windshield wipers become a little ineffective.

Thanks again.

R.I.P. Captain Phil."