Stephen Trapani wrote:
Well, if no one is at the helm, everyone below, with no forward facing
port/hatch, one can't see where one is going and what is in front of
them. Can't that be unsafe?

You're thinking like driving a car. The answer is, at sea it wouldn't be
unsafe because there's nothing to run into; conversely, you need to be
able to see in all directions equally because there are things that can
run over *you*.

The serious singlehanders used to install heavy plexiglass domes in
their coach roofs, so they could stick their heads up and see what's
going on (including with the rig & sails) without opening a port or
hatch to let heavy weather in.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King