CPseudonym
Moderator Emeritus
Lots of backup I betcha in the way of crew and an onboard warehouse. The engineers on these big fishing boats are pretty skilled and those I have met can fix most anything that poses problems. This point has been raised by many on this thread, ie, suitable spares and skills to use them are a necessity when cruising and working offshore with a single.
I completely agree Tom. The bigger point I was trying unsuccessfully to make is anyone going "offshore" had better have a good working knowledge of all their mechanical systems. I don't care if you have four engines with twin get homes if your fuel is crap you're in big trouble unless you can figure out how to deal with it at sea. You can carry a complete spare engine, transmission, shaft and prop with a Snap-On truck full of tools but if you don't know how to use them effectively you're just as screwed as the person without spares.
If someone is not mechanically inclined they would do well to hire someone who is to tag along offshore regardless of engine configuration IMO.