A graphical user interface (GUI) for a remote operated vehicle (ROV) with an onboard video camera with pan-and-tilt mechanism. A broad translucent compass bearing icon is arranged horizontally with scrolling compass bearing marks that give the user visual feedback for steering the ROV as well as hard information relating to the bearing. A long translucent depth icon is arranged vertically with depth reading marks that scroll up and down as the ROV moves down and up respectively. A pan-and-tilt icon at the top center of the screen gives user feedback as to the direction in which the ROV camera is pointing relative to the ROV. Status indicator icons and the other icons are inserted and removed by special burn-in and fade-out processes to provide good visibility at the same time as continuity of viewing.