On Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:24:07 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

"Theoretically a vessel which has in engine stopped and which is
drifting is not considered as Not Under Command (NUC), but large
commercial vessels which for instance cannot safely anchor near the
coast, are more and more using this method of waiting for a berth or
further orders, at times quite far off at sea. It can takes a long
time to warm up their engine, and therefore they consider themselves
as NUC."

Those engines take a long time to cool after shutdown. The engine may
remain warm enough for hours.

Casady