MEKANISME TIL FREMDRIVNING OG/ELLER STYRING AF ET FARTOEJ

Mounting structure for a propulsion and steering apparatus in a vessel comprises a stationary vertical sleeve member mounted within a downwardly open recess in the vessel, an intermediary sleeve member mounted for axial displacement within the stationary sleeve member, and a rotatable hollow steering column mounted within the intermediary sleeve member to extend outside the chamber underneath a submerged portion of the vessel and having mounted at its lower end a nozzle structure for supporting a propeller and gear housing. A separable flange connection supports the upper end of the rotatable steering column from structure associated with rotation of the steering column for steerage of the vessel. A separable shaft interconnects the gear housing to a propulsion motor and extends through the rotatable steering column and the flange connection. The intermediary sleeve is releasably locked to the stationary sleeve member such that disconnection of the flange connection enables the shaft and the rotatable steering column to be lowered within the intermediary sleeve such that a ring on the flange connection rests on an upper portion of the intermediary sleeve. Removal of the releasable locking mechanism enables the intermediary sleeve, a portion of the separable shaft and the rotatable steering column to be lowered axially within the stationary vertical sleeve member for subsequent removal from the vessel while it is afloat.