Question 530General Subjects - Assistant Engineer

The correct answer is C. The drive arrangement where the drive motor, electric brake, and gear reducer are mounted on the deck below the weather deck, and only the capstan head is located on the weather deck, requires a flexible coupling between the reduction gear output shaft and the capstan head input shaft. This is necessary to accommodate the relative movement and misalignment between the two decks, which can occur due to the vessel's flexing and twisting motions. The other options do not require a flexible coupling, as the drive components are all located on the same weather deck, eliminating the need to accommodate relative movement between decks.