Has anyone got statistics on the engine failure rate for single engine light aircraft?
I'm sure a reasonably maintained engine can be expected to last through to its TBO without suffering a complete/total power loss. If it should fail, the likelyhood is for a partial, rather than total failure. With that in mind most water crossings from the UK should pose few problems. That said, it's amazing how 'auto-rough' immediately engages in the brain the moment the coast slips by under the wing... especially at night... but then that's another story!