Most engines for small vessels operating in coastal waters, such as fishing boats, are equipped with a reduction gear to reduce the engine's rotational speed. Small vessels are equipped with engines of fixed output and reduction gears of single reduction ratio only. This paper is a study on the development of a two-stage reducer capable of controlling the reduction ratio according to the light and full load conditions of a ship. Because the torque and rotational speed delivered to the propeller can be flexibly adjusted, the engine load can be maintained appropriately. In addition, because the engine room space is limited, the development of a two-stage reducer with an integrated power take off (PTO) was pursued to minimize the volume. Through this development, we were able to confirm a reduction in fuel consumption rate because we did not have to consume a lot of fuel to maintain maximum output. Reducing fuel consumption can result in reduced harmful exhaust emissions. Additionally, it can be expected that the frequency of failures that may occur due to overload can be reduced.

Recently marine accidents involving floating objects have been continuously increasing due to domestic coastal traffic conditions, and as a result cases of secondary-linked reduction gear damage have also occurred one after another. This research aims to evaluate the ship propulsion system safety through the analysis the effect of the torsional stress generated on the propeller shaft system when a rope or net is wrapped around a propeller at sea through theoretical analysis, simulation analysis, and ship empirical test.