Shaft linkage for linking and driving at least two drivetrains of a vessel

A vessel comprising a drive system for coupling together a first drivetrain and a second drivetrain of the vessel, the drive system comprising:

• the first drivetrain connecting a first prime mover and a first propulsor, the first drivetrain comprising a first drive shaft;
• the second drivetrain connecting a second prime mover and a second propulsor, the second drivetrain comprising a second drive shaft;
• a linking drive clutch, the linking drive clutch comprising at least a first clutch part and a second clutch part which are engageable with each other and can transmit rotation therebetween;
• at least one flexible drive link separate from the first and second drivetrains, the at least one flexible drive link coupled between the linking drive clutch and the first and/or second drive trains, wherein the at least one flexible drive link is coupled between the linking drive clutch and the first and/or second drive shafts;
• wherein the linking drive clutch is engageable to allow rotation of one of the first and second drive shafts, generated by a respective one of the first and second prime movers, to be transferred to the other of the first and second drive shafts, and
• wherein the at least one flexible drive link comprises:
• at least a first flexible drive link, the first flexible drive link being coupled between the first drive shaft and the first clutch part of the linking drive clutch;
• and
• at least a second flexible drive link coupled between the second drive shaft and the second clutch part of the linking drive clutch.

A linking drive kit mountable on a vessel drive system for coupling together a first drivetrain and a second drivetrain of a vessel, the linking drive kit comprising:

• a linking drive clutch, the linking drive clutch comprises at least a first clutch part and a second clutch part which are engageable with each other and can transmit rotation therebetween;
• at least a first chain separate from the first and second drivetrains, the first chain coupled between the first drive train and the first clutch, wherein the first chain is coupled between a first drive shaft of the first drivetrain and the first clutch part of the linking drive clutch, the first drivetrain connecting a first prime mover and a first propulsor;
• and
• at least a second chain separate from the first and second drivetrains, the second chain coupled between the second drivetrain and the second clutch part, wherein the second chain is coupled between a second drive shaft of the second drivetrain and the second clutch part of the linking drive clutch, the second drivetrain connecting a second prime mover and a second propulsor;
• wherein the linking drive clutch is engageable to allow the rotation of one of the first and second drive shafts, generated by a respective one of the first and second prime movers, to be transferred to the other of the first and second drive shafts.