helmsman / coxswain
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helmsman
The person who steers a ship, boat, or other watercraft with the help of a rudder or helm and keeps it on course.
Der erfahrene Steuermann navigierte die Fähre sicher durch den engen Fjord.
The experienced helmsman navigated the ferry safely through the narrow fjord.
coxswain
In rowing, the usually lightweight person who steers the boat, determines the race tactics, and sets the rhythm for the rowers.
Der Steuermann des Achters schrie die Kommandos, um das Tempo im Endspurt zu erhöhen.
The coxswain of the eight shouted the commands to increase the pace in the final sprint.
leader
In a figurative sense, a person who leads and guides a group, project, or organization.
Als neuer Geschäftsführer ist er der Steuermann, der das Unternehmen aus der Krise führen soll.
As the new managing director, he is the leader who is supposed to steer the company out of the crisis.
The word is made up of 'das Steuer' (the helm/rudder, in the sense of a ship's steering mechanism) and 'der Mann' (man). So it literally refers to the person responsible for steering.
Der Steuermann muss das Schiff sicher in den Hafen bringen.
The helmsman must bring the ship safely into the harbor.
You can recognize which meaning is intended from the context. Words like 'Schiff' (ship), 'Boot' (boat), or 'Kurs halten' (to keep course) point to seafaring (m01). 'Achter' (eight) or 'Ruderboot' (rowing boat) refer to the sport (m02). 'Unternehmen' (company), 'Partei' (party), or 'Krise' (crisis) signal the figurative meaning (m03).
Der Steuermann des Ruder-Achters ist für die Taktik verantwortlich.
The coxswain of the rowing eight is responsible for the tactics.
The figurative meaning is often used to describe a leader who navigates an organization through a difficult phase. The image is that of a captain steering a ship through a storm.
In der Wirtschaftskrise braucht das Unternehmen einen erfahrenen Steuermann.
In the economic crisis, the company needs an experienced leader.
navigator
The Steuermann steers a ship directly using the helm and keeps it on course. The Navigator, by contrast, mainly determines the position and the appropriate course. Steuermann is the right word for the person at the helm, while Navigator is more appropriate for planning and determining the route.
Der Steuermann hielt das Schiff trotz des starken Windes sicher auf Kurs.
The helmsman kept the ship safely on course despite the strong wind.
Der Navigator bestimmte anhand der Position den Kurs für die nächste Etappe.
The navigator used the position to determine the course for the next leg.
