A seven segment display (common anode) was used to indicate which boat number the helm was controlling.  The seven segment display was controlled using a shift register (74HC164N).  The reset and data 1 line were tied high.  The data 2 line and the clock line were taken from the PIC.  The cathodes of the seven segment display were tied to the outputs of the shift register.  To turn a particular segment on, the shift register needed to hold the line low.