HO Scale Lifeboats (and some larger vessels, too)

[JaBear]

I would be interested, as to how, they would, go about loading and unloading, that ferry.

Gidday Frank, very carefully I reckon.
In The Great Lakes Car Ferries, by George W Hilton there are photos of the St. Ignace and the Ann Arbor No:4, both Lake Car Ferries, the former sunk at the slip and the latter capsized, as a result of incorrect loading of iron ore cars.
The Gentlemen in this link have accumulated alot of good material, pity I didn't pay attention and therefore do well at schoolboy French, but it dos prove that a picture is worth a thousand words.
http://teamtrack.xooit.com/t625-CAR-FERR...-State.htm

and the engine would not have to even be on the loading ramp.

In the book mentioned above , referring to the Grand Trunk operations it mentions that diesels occasionally went on to the apron, but steam engines were kept well clear.

Your best bet is to plan on building two of them. When you complete the first one and publish it (on the net or in a magazine) all the information you don't have will suddenly be thrust upon you.

"There's many a true word spoken in jest", David, and isn't that just life?? While I'm learning, (read making it up) as I go along, at least I have the advantage of knowing far more than my local compatriots.
However all relevant information will be gratefully accepted.
Cheers, the Bear.