What is affected when experiencing a "Trailing Shaft" situation on board?

When a "Trailing Shaft" situation occurs on board a vessel, it means that one of the shafts is not providing propulsion due to a failure, while the other shafts are still operational. This indicates that only some shafts are functioning without engine power. The trailing shaft scenario typically arises from mechanical failures such as a broken or damaged shaft or a failure in the coupling, leading to the affected shaft trailing behind in propulsion performance.

In this situation, the ship may still maintain partial mobility because one or more of the other shafts can still generate thrust. Hence, the capability of navigating or maneuvering is not entirely lost, but it is compromised to an extent due to reduced propulsion power.

This understanding clarifies the dynamics between the propulsion system's elements and their role during operational challenges. The other options incorrectly suggest total inoperability or widespread systemic failures that do not accurately capture the operational reality in a trailing shaft situation.