Method and apparatus for decelerating a marine propulsion system during an emergency stop maneuver

An apparatus for decelerating a marine propulsion system during an emergency stop maneuver, said marine propulsion system comprising a combustion engine, a propeller shaft and an interposed three shaft birotatory reduction gear system, comprising a synchromesh coupling and a counter rotation coupling, said birotatory reduction gear system being switchable by a control switch to an idling position, a forward drive position and a backward drive position, said control switch allowing also adjustment of a number of revolutions and output of said combustion engine;

• said apparatus in combination comprising:
• an engine brake for said combustion engine, said engine brake comprising a throttle valve that is eccentrically supported in an exhaust pipe of said combustion engine, whereby, when beginning the emergency stop maneuver for reversing a direction of rotation of said marine propulsion system, the number of revolutions and output of said combustion engine is reduced to idling, said engine brake is activated and simultaneously engagement of said synchromesh coupling is maintained until the number of revolutions has been reduced to a predetermined rate, and subsequently, said synchromesh coupling is disengaged while said counter rotation coupling is engaged, and the number of revolutions of said combustion engine is adjusted to full load.