User:BigbrownPaddlaa/BigbrownPaddlaaDraft

Shipyards

Shipyards

Types of Shipyards

In today’s shipping industry there are many ships being built in many different countries. But in able to have shipping to take place, it’s the ships that need to be built and constructed to transport goods overseas effectively. The majority of ship building companies have shipyards and what are called dry docks. There are considered to be 4 types of effective dry docking ports in the 21st century. Floating, Excavated, Patent slip, and ship lift are the 4 kinds of dry docks used today. However, although these kinds of dry docks are built and effectively used, they must meet certain requirements to be an operational shipyard facility. Basic requirements to a operational dry dock, is that the ship must sit upright securely, must have a equal amount of gravity and force equally discharged all over the vessel, and that ship docks must have a small aft trim to take off tension in the ships keel. In SOLAS regulations, ships must be dry docked and inspected at these shipyards in able to be certified to be back to operational standards. Shipyards are needed, like cars going to the auto shop for repairs and inspection.

• Floating Dock- Floating docks is a type of dock where two tanks keep a buoyant float to keep a ship out above the water. Ballast Pumps are used to fill these tanks to keep the buoyancy and can be regulated depending on the ship. Also contain Keel blocks to prevent movement of the vessel docked in. Can dock shipS averaging from “20k tons to 82k+ tons”.
• Excavated Dock- Similar to a floating dock, however this enclave dock has doors that contain ships inside the dock. Also can be floating structure as well.
• Patent Slip- Temporary docks, mainly used for ships lengthening 140 meters or less. Works as a cradle system which goes under the vessel and pulled against the shore with assistance.
• Ship Lift Dock- Mostly found in local marinas or shipping yards/docks. Like patient slip, it is also must be assisted by a crane or a lift out of the water. Use of winches is used to lift vessels lengthening less than 125 meters.
Majority of Shipyards that construct huge ships use floating and excavated docks due to it bulk and tonnage. These types of docks are easy to let out residual water from under the vessel and conduct repairs and inspections faster. Marine vessels like yachts and recreational boats are usually used by patent slip and ship lift dry docks.

Type of work done in shipyards

Shipbuilding has come a long way from building ships out of Mother Nature. However, over time those ships do rot and eventually sink due to age or fragile keels. Today, Ships are being built by metal which can withstand longer life and rugged seas. But in able to construct such a massive vessel, shipyard companies hire many different works of expertise. Jobs can vary everything from the exterior work, like welders and interior work like Carpenters. Ship Building is not easy, yet it does take a lot of long hours and hard work to put parts together. Before shipyards can take in vessel into dry dock, there is a alot of preperation before any ship can move into the dock. Any Captian of a ship is required to drain and ballast their ship systems in order to prevent spillage and accdeints while in dock. Also, the chief officals of the ships must work dilligently with the dock manager to see what work and parts are needed for the ship. Many other preperations are accounted for in any shipyard, so it is important that the process in a shipyard runs smoothly and effectively.

• Plumbing Basic work for pipes, valves, and plumbing for sewage, potable/sanitary water, etc.
• Welder, Soldier and Cutter- Certified worker(s) to weld, cut and solder metals in and out of the vessel.
• Electrician Apply and Wire out lines of electrical outlets and inlets to power and operate the ship’s electrical devices. Licensed electricians to program and energize circuit breakers, energizers, etc.
• Carpenters/Painters- Furnish and apply walls, floors, etc. to different designated quarters throughout the ship.
• Construction supervisors/managers- Leaders in coordinating and logistics of what work is being done in the shipyard.
• Engineers- Devise a plan and basis on what is suitable to construct a certain ship, with a certain use of docks in the ship yard.
• Architects Plans and lays down a layout of what the ship should look like, and how pieces of a ship can be constructed together with less amount of time and ability.
All these required jobs listed are just the base of what a shipyard usually hires to start building a ship. Although there are different job descriptions, it really takes a lot of communication and leadership to properly piece together a full working ship. Some shipyards today are funded by the Union workers, and some by private contractors that specialize in a certain kind of ship like tankers, or submarines, etc. (BigbrownPaddlaa (talk) 17:17, 18 April 2012 (UTC))

Notes/Sources

(BigbrownPaddlaa (talk) 17:17, 18 April 2012 (UTC))

(BigbrownPaddlaa (talk) 17:14, 19 April 2012 (UTC))

See Also

• Dock (maritime)
• Drydock
• Shipbuilding

(BigbrownPaddlaa (talk) 17:17, 18 April 2012 (UTC))