Fairbanks Morse 38D 8-1/8

F-M is still one of the main suppliers of big diesel engines on current Navy and MSC ships. They are one of the only US builders that still supply these large engines. I have never run an engine room with them but the shipyard I work for repairs and overhauls them on a regular basis.

I've run the opposed piston engines on tugs. I think they're still made as a dual fuel engine for small town generators. They're a pia if you have to pull the bottom crank. Usually done in drydock and cut a hole in the bottom to drop the crank out. They can burn a lot of diesel.

Anybody can learn. Each installation can be different in small ways. Some engines are like a small diesel with all pumps running off the engine, some use auxiliary pumps, etc. There will be seacocks that need to be opened, strainers to check, preheating the oil, starting reduction gear pump, but nothing that requires an engineer ( other than Coast Guard manning requirements). Some are bridge controlled and some are setup for a manned engineroom. Most of these engines are in vessels over 200 tons that require licensed mariners in the US. Depending on vessel size and flag, may require pilot services.

I was made aware of them and learned the basics when I went to engineering school in early 80's. Was only on a boat (freighter) for a short period of time that had one, used as an emergency/backup generator. Don't remember for sure, but thinking it was around 1500 KW, so it was probably around a 2500 HP engine.

I did four back to back New York to Far East, Pacific crossings one winter on a container ship that had a 3000 HP - V16 Alco locomotive diesel as emergency/backup 2000KW generator. Primary gen was 2500KW steam turbine.

I did run an antique yacht for a while that had had a Mirrlees direct drive, reversing cam, slow speed 6 cyl engine, 20 some odd feet long, probably 8-10' tall. It had been installed in 1939 so the boat could be used as training ship and minesweeper in WWII. Boat also had a pair of small Mercedes 6 cyl wing engines for maneuvering etc.

Some of the FMs can be converted to bridge controls. It usually involves electric or air actuators that remotely operate the engine controls. Once the actuators are installed, it's easy to have multiple control stations like bridge, wings, maybe at a towing winch.