Marine propulsion in the context of "Oar"

A steam turbine or steam turbine engine is a machine or heat engine that extracts thermal energy from pressurized steam and uses it to do mechanical work utilising a rotating output shaft. Its modern manifestation was invented by Sir Charles Parsons in 1884. It revolutionized marine propulsion and navigation to a significant extent. Fabrication of a modern steam turbine involves advanced metalwork to form high-grade steel alloys into precision parts using technologies that first became available in the 20th century; continued advances in durability and efficiency of steam turbines remains central to the energy economics of the 21st century. The largest steam turbine ever built is the 1,770 MW Arabelle steam turbine built by Arabelle Solutions (previously GE Steam Power), two units of which will be installed at Hinkley Point C Nuclear Power Station, England.

The steam turbine is a form of heat engine that derives much of its improvement in thermodynamic efficiency from the use of multiple stages in the expansion of the steam, which results in a closer approach to the ideal reversible expansion process. Because the turbine generates rotary motion, it can be coupled to a generator to harness its motion into electricity. Such turbogenerators are the core of thermal power stations which can be fueled by fossil fuels, nuclear fuels, geothermal, or solar energy. About 42% of all electricity generation in the United States in 2022 was by the use of steam turbines. Technical challenges include rotor imbalance, vibration, bearing wear, and uneven expansion (various forms of thermal shock).

Sir Charles Algernon Parsons (13 June 1854 – 11 February 1931) was an Anglo-Irish mechanical engineer and inventor who designed the modern steam turbine in 1884. His invention revolutionised marine propulsion, and he was also the founder of C. A. Parsons and Company. He worked as an engineer on dynamo and turbine design, and power generation, with great influence in the naval and electrical engineering fields. He also helped develop optical equipment for searchlights and telescopes. Parsons received the Franklin Medal in 1920, the Faraday Medal in 1923, and the Copley Medal in 1928 for his work, as well as the Engineering Heritage Awards posthumously in 1995.

His inventions and developments were used in many appliances during the early 20th century, including both naval and optical devices. He was elected to the Royal Society in 1898, and he served as the president of the British Association between 1916 and 1919. For his lasting contributions, Parsons was knighted in 1911, and he became a member of the Order of Merit in 1927. He additionally received the Bessemer Gold Medal in 1929.

A paddle steamer is a steamship or steamboat powered by a steam engine driving paddle wheels to propel the craft through the water. In antiquity, paddle wheelers followed the development of poles, oars and sails, whereby the first uses were wheelers driven by animals or humans.

In the early 19th century, paddle wheels were the predominant way of propulsion for steam-powered boats. In the late 19th century, paddle propulsion was largely superseded by the screw propeller and other marine propulsion systems that have a higher efficiency, especially in rough or open water.

Glasgow College of Nautical Studies was a further education college of nautical and maritime studies, and a provider of marine and offshore training courses. On 26 March 2009, it was announced that the college would merge with the Central College and Glasgow Metropolitan College. In 2010, the merger was completed the college was absorbed into the City of Glasgow College. Degree courses, in subjects including Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, were offered in association with the University of Strathclyde.

The college's main building was located on Thistle Street on the south bank of the River Clyde in central Glasgow in western Scotland. The college motto was 'Nautical and So Much More' which tried to encapsulate the breadth of courses offered.

A steamboat is a boat that is propelled primarily by steam power, typically driving propellers or paddlewheels. The term steamboat is used to refer to small steam-powered vessels working on lakes, rivers, and in short-sea shipping. The development of the steamboat led to the larger steamship, which is a seaworthy and often ocean-going ship.

Steamboats sometimes use the prefix designation SS, S.S. or S/S (for 'Screw Steamer') or PS (for 'Paddle Steamer'); however, these designations are most often used for steamships.

A yacht (/jɒt/) is a sail- or motor-propelled watercraft made for pleasure, cruising, or racing. There is no standard definition, though the term generally applies to vessels with a cabin intended for overnight use.

Heavy fuel oil (HFO) is a fuel oil of a tar-like consistency. Also known as bunker fuel, or residual fuel oil, HFO is the residual mixture leftover from the distillation and cracking of crude oil in oil refineries. Generally, it has a boiling temperature between 350 and 500 °C and a significantly increased viscosity compared to diesel. As it is created through the extraction of more valuable components of its petroleum precursor, HFO contains various undesirable compounds and elements, which includes aromatics, sulfur, nitrogen, vanadium, and others. These non-hydrocarbon contaminants significantly increase toxic gas and particulate emissions upon combustion, such as sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides.

As the fuel is cheap, it is predominantly utilized for marine vessel propulsion in marine diesel engines due to its relatively low cost compared to cleaner fuel sources such as diesel fuel or distillates. The emission-heavy nature of the fuel also contributes to this method of usage; marine vessels, such as oil tankers and cruise ships, are generally distant from population centers, sailing in open seas and oceans for the majority of the time, minimizing the exposure of humans to harmful aerosols and gaseous emissions. Ships utilizing heavy fuel oil may switch to cleaner alternatives such as diesel when approaching land. The use and carrying of HFO in seafaring vessels presents several environmental concerns, such as accidental oil spills due to adverse weather or routine handling, which are common due to their universal and dominant usage in marine transportation.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc is a British multinational aerospace and defence company incorporated in February 2011. The company owns Rolls-Royce, a business established in 1904 which today designs, manufactures and distributes power systems for aviation and other industries. Rolls-Royce is the world's second-largest maker of aircraft engines (after CFM International) and has major businesses in the marine propulsion and energy sectors.

Rolls-Royce was the world's 16th largest defence contractor in 2018 when measured by defence revenues. The company is also the world's fourth largest commercial aircraft engine manufacturer, with a 12% market share as of 2020.