Arild, I see references to ships (commercial) that are often referred to as direct drive, and I've never figured out how that could be done from a practical maneuvering aspect. Do they have variable/reversing props instead of transmissions and/or reversing gears? **************Dell Days of Deals! June 15-24 - A New Deal Everyday! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1222677718x1201465083/aol?redir=http:%2F%2F ad.doubleclick.net%2Fclk%3B215692163%3B38015526%3Be)