Hi Sailors,
Good move there, by registering your copy of SSE.
Yes, if you have any questions regarding any Mission, you will have to post it in the Missions board of SSE. Please mention the Campaign and the name of the mission. In fact if you just type in the name of the mission in the "Search" option, it will in all probability list out posts of members regarding it and you may find a solution without posting. But as I said before, please do not hesitate to ask for help.
The controls of vessels differ from one another, so there will be some learning / experimentation to do.
Here is a tip - if you want to try out the controls of any vessel. I suggest you use a Free Roaming mission. Choose the Atlantic as an environment. Opt for clear weather and in daytime. Now you can do whatever you want here and get familiar with the controls. There is little or no traffic so there are less chances of collisions and since it is deep there will be no groundings.
As for the mission you are now on - The Journey Begins - the final instruction is a bit vague. It tells you to proceed to the "designated pier" but there is no waypoint star to guide you towards it. There have been a fair number of questions from members regarding this and you can search (as I guided you). When you do approach the pier, do not try to go firmly alongside it as it is shallow and the "Orient Star" will go aground. Stay in deeper waters and conduct the mooring. Yes, a bit odd but that's how this mission was designed.
Please take some time and explore the various boards of the Forum to get familiar with it.
Regards
vin_sun