On Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:04:41 +0700, Bruce in Bangkok
wrote:

On Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:04:03 GMT, (Richard
Casady) wrote:

On Tue, 22 Apr 2008 09:22:08 -0400, "Roger Long"
wrote:

No. The standard COLREGS book has the International rules on one page and
the corresponding Inland rule on the facing page. Differences are sometimes
noted as well. There are very few differences but some are quite important.
Nothing about engine engagement or disengagement though.

Big ships all have direct drive engines. If the engine in running the
prop is turning. You stop it and restart it turning the other way for
reverse.

Casady

Depends on what you mean by "big ships" A LCC will have a direct drive
but a big, to me, oil field supply boat, say, 3,000 H.P. had a normal
forward/reverse gear box.

Boxboats and tankers are nearly all direct drive. A gearbox
would likely cost as much as the engine.

Hundred ton German torpedo boats had direct drive. They carried enough
compressed air for just one start. The compressor was on the dock.

Running out off air because of a lot of manuvering can cause delay
while the air tanks are refilled and there are other other worse
things that can happen.

Casady