Protection apparatus for remotely controlled self-reversing marine engines

Protection apparatus for remotely controlled reversible marine engines for marine vessels including drive means therefor, engine starting means, speed control means, an operator's controller selectively operable to a plurality of forward or reverse positions for effecting forward or reverse travel, engine starting and speed of the vessel according to the controller position selected, and control means operable responsively to operation of said operator's controller to a selected position, said control means including:

• a. first means actuable responsively to operation of said operator's controller from any one of said plurality of forward or reverse positions to a selected opposite position for reversing engine rotation by sequentially shutting down the engine, reducing the rotational speed thereof, and setting the engine for forward or reverse rotation according to the position selected;
• b. second means actuable responsively to actuation of said first means, with said operator's controller remaining in said opposite position, for effecting engine restarting subsequently to reduction of engine speed to less than a certain low rate and setting thereof for the selected direction of rotation;
• c. third means actuable responsively to actuation of said first and second means for effecting engine speed according to the selected opposite position of the operator's controller subsequently to said engine restarting,
• and wherein the improvement comprises:
• d. fourth means for delaying said engine restarting and consequent reversal of direction of travel of the vessel until engine speed has reduced to said certain low rate, notwithstanding operation of said operator's controller from one of said forward or reverse positions directly to said opposite position without delay.