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What is Naval Architecture?
This article intents to give a brief idea of what naval architecture is all about. What are the various aspects that should be taken into consideration while constructing and designing a ship? Also, Why is the discipline so demanding and what are the factors that drives these demands.
Role of Naval Architecture throughout the ages
Ships are one of the oldest forms of transport. Their structure, functions and equipments have been subject to constant evolution. These constant evolutions are propelled by the ever changing patterns of world trade, by the necessity of the economic alterations and by the incessant advances in technology. Technology has been a vital factor in providing opportunities to build larger, faster and safer ships.
Naval architecture has been an intrinsic part of the evolution of ships. It has been captivating and equally demanding at the same time. It’s a discipline that requires highest degree of discipline too. It is demanding because there is large amount of capital investment that goes in the making of the ship and also because lives of people is on stake.
Diversity demands
Only a busy port will depict the diversity in the structures of floating vessels. It is this diversity in the structures and functions of ships that there arises the need in the application of different ways in construction of a modern ship. The conditions and the functions of a particular ship also play a vital role in the making of the ship.
For example, there are fishing vessels, ranging from small fishing boats that operate daily to the deep ocean explorers that demands facilities to deep freeze their catches. Similarly there are small coastal cargo carriers to extremely large cargo carriers (VLCCs). Also there are drill ships for the explorations of gas, oil and minerals. There are small as well as giant supertankers that carry oil, gases and chemicals. There are huge bulks that carry grains, coal, ore and raw materials.
There are tugs for towing and dredgers and pilot boats for the proper functioning of the ports. There are warships from huge aircraft carriers to frigates. And last but not the least there are ferries as well as massive cruise liners that carry passengers to different corners of the world on long voyages. As you can see the variety of functions demands the variety in the ways and designs of constructions. Naval architecture suffices these demands.
What Drives Demands?
As the structure and size of the ship vary the demands vary. How?
Let’s take an example of a large cruise liner. A large cruise liner is a whole township or a small city in itself. This means, it has several thousands of people onboard. As a result it will need electricity, air conditions, galleys, restaurants, recreation auditoriums etc. To accommodate all the necessities under one roof the general layout must me so strong and impeccable that the ship can carry out its intended tasks effectively and economically. But that is not the end of the factors that needs to be taken for there is a crucial aspect needs to be considered is safety. If there are several thousands of people on board then it is absolutely important that the ship is safe from all aspects.
Additional aspects to be taken into consideration
The kind of propulsion system used on the ship is also a factor that plays a role in the design and construction of the ship. In past the ships had sails which used wind for the propulsion of the ship but nowadays all ships are driven by a mechanical propulsion system. The driving power can be generated by diesel engine, steam turbine, gas turbine or some form of fuel cell. Including the propulsions there are many other systems on board and for the efficient working of the ship it is of utmost importance that the layout conciliates with the various systems.
One more thing that is taken into consideration is that not all the ports have the facility to accommodate all types and sizes of ships. This means that the geography and the depth of water at the port might abstain it from allowing large ships from entering inside. Also, not all ports have the facilities for loading and discharging all types of cargo. For example, not all ports have the facility of gantry cranes for the loading and unloading of containers. Thus this means that a container ship will never be sent to a port where there are no facilities of gantry cranes. This ensures that ships spend far less time in loading and unloading, cargoes remain more secure and most importantly port fees are reduced.
Thus a naval architect masterminds the whole process of designing and construction of ship keeping various aspects in mind. He creates the best possible ship to meet the operator’s needs. He makes a design that is flexible, safe and one which is able to adjust considerable level of risk. A naval architect knows that there is no such thing as a foolproof design and thus he takes all the possibilities into consideration to reduce the consequences of an unavoidable accident and keep the risk factor as low as possible.
One more thing he needs to keep in mind the effects of dangerous and toxic cargoes incase there is an accidental spillage due to collision or human error. There are already stringent rules made pertaining to the adverse effects of toxic cargoes on environment that cannot be compromised and thus it’s absolutely necessary to abide by them and take them into consideration while designing and constructing a ship.
It is hoped that the previous paragraphs will provide the readers with a general overview of naval architecture as a discipline. And as we gradually move forward we will discuss the various topics in details.
