I absolutely admit I dont know all the fine points (I'm a diesel engine mechanic by trade) but ive worked on large diesels for tankers. Theyre a mechanical Goliath, and they cost nearly as much as the tanker. The shipyard that contracted us frequently ganged engines together to a single controls system from Siemens/Fischer or part of a larger command system with a small "service mode" override you could patch a laptop into for diagnostics. Newer ships just send that diag data straight to us over satellite or wifi (sending techs is costly)
Also another problem I noticed is the engines are often on the ships controls (network maybe?) As the manufacturer name. Something like MANN1 and MANN2 or MITSU1 is a dead giveaway: thats propulsion.
You probably still have a better perspective than me; at least having worked on these specifically.
I suspect that at least some ships/designs are done right ‘right’.
(1) the engine controllers are internal safety limits and have very controlled input ranges. Cummins engines as an example.
(2) the network has a ‘Battlestar’ mode where you can just cut the wire. People would still need to connect laptops or jumpers locally to control devices in anything beyond a ‘max’ vs ‘idle’ vs ‘off’ mode… but 100%, ready, and off should be enough in an emergency.
Also another problem I noticed is the engines are often on the ships controls (network maybe?) As the manufacturer name. Something like MANN1 and MANN2 or MITSU1 is a dead giveaway: thats propulsion.