https://www.asap-supplies.com/marine/link-belts-v-belts-vee-belts-polyvee-belts
The link above will let you see what link belting looks like, it is known as Nu-T-Link belt and it locks together using T shaped rivets that can be turned 90 degrees to lock or release the individual links. If I remember correctly this type of belt is directional when mounting it on the pulleys also it stretches like elastic under load, the bright orange type is much stronger in this respect though.
Re the Atco project I think you will need to fit a pulley on to the engine shaft for the drive belt to be driven from. As with rubber vee belts Nu T Link also takes its drive from the sides of the vee, in fact you will see that there is a neat row of rivet heads around the inner face of the belt that would prevent the belt gripping on a flat surface.
Hope this helps
Ray.