The first attached picture Red Eagle panel.jpg was used by MAIB investigating an incident with Red Falcon, and shows the layout of centre control panel.
I don't know why the layout of the consoles was changed in Extremes, and the controls have been adapted to reflect as well as possible the functions of the real VSP controls, not to simulate the azimuthal controls used in SS2008 or elsewhere, and that after having read the various critics of the players, particularly concerning the realism.
VSP controls are simple in their principle, but if the thrust is indeed azimuthal, the controls are specific. To avoid other lengthy and fuzzy explanations, just look at the Voith Schneider made interactive VSP program (http://www.voithturbo.com/vt_en_pua_marine_vspropeller.htm), download it and give it a try.
The Driving Pitch slider control of the demo is replaced by a wheel on the Red Eagle control panels.
There are no switches in Extremes to select the speed settings of the VSP, nor start/stop button, but the main controls are present: The Rudder Pitch defines the transverse component of thrust, while the Driving Pitch defines the longitudinal thrust component of the VSP.
The aft steering wheel on the console, closest to the helmsman chair, is the most efficient to steer when making way ahead, as the corresponding VSP is at a greater distance from the ship pivot point than the front VSP. The choice of one or the other VSP driving pitch is more an issue of power availability and is of lesser concern when making way. The ship with one VSP driving pitch at 100% can reach some 10 knots.
To move sideways, or sidestepping, only the two steering pitch wheels need to be used, the sway speed is tuned by the pitch settings.
The layout of the overlay controls is not optimal, bad enough certainly, but each indicator (red/grey sliders) will stay under its corresponding control by design, suggestions are welcome.
Finally, when the console is to starboard, the bow as built is in front of the helmsman, and if the console is at port, the bow (of the instant) is the stern as built. Just in case, as double end ferries switch their port and starboard sides, bow and stern. It seems that, at least in the USA, the definitions are switched when the ferry changes her way to astern, so that in fact she never makes way astern...
Regards,
Luc