>> Most of the recent large ships are diesel-electric.  Works great 
 >> The technology has been in place in locomotives for 20 years - it took 
 >> a while to show up on ships but it is proving to save fuel, offer 
 >> better control and be easier to run.
>     Dave,
>      Thanks for the feedback on that. I've been on a number of older 
>      ships, but didn't realize that new ones now use electric drive.
Hi Jim!
You are most welcome!  Yeah - the current electrical power 
technologies allows for this to be done cheaply and it makes things a 
lot nicer.
Also, Seattle's own "Virginia V" recently returned from a $300K refit 
and was recertified for passenger service.  Power plant?  Steam!
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