Naval Architecture is a field of engineering focusing on the design process of marine vessels and offshore structures
Work Skills
Career Goals
Expanding my experience in the offshore engineering field and having a grasp on the latest developments. Also developing new technologies and engineering solutions myself. At the same time I want to pursue my life long dream of becoming a pilot by obtaining a license. My plan is to be a full time marine engineer as well as a part-time commercial pilot.
Which job will be my career path???
As we continue in designing our portfolio and filling up the details I'm forced to think thoroughly about my plans. Turns up this e-portfolio thing has many advantages after all. So I decided to check up what else I can turn up to be later on.. Here is only few of the result..
- Lecturer or Trainer - Many of the maritime institutes and colleges are regularly on the hunt for lecturers or trainers to teach the students who want to join this field. If you think you have the skills to be a lecturer there are plenty of options available, which are both full and part time.
- Fleet Manager - A fleet manager basically is responsible for an effective day-to-day running of the company’s vessels and also has to ensure that the vessels go through smooth and hassle-free surveys, dry dock and repairs. They also are required to manage the team of superintendents and should possess good communicational skills.
- Superintendent - The job of a superintendent is quite an important one. As a superintendent he is required to act as a spokesperson for the vessels. Hired by the management, they are required to ensure a smooth functioning onboard. Superintendents see to it that the vessel complies with the standard rules and regulations and that it is ready for the inspection and certifications.
- Pilot - A marine pilot is a boon for the ship’s crew when the ship passes through a tricky area. Marine pilots are people with extensive knowledge of the area they are based in and are well aware of the sea terrain. So whenever a ship passes through waters that are tough to maneuver through, a pilot is called onboard to help with a smooth navigation.
- Marine Surveyor - A marine surveyor is a person akin to a teacher in a classroom. He is required to inspect the vessels to ensure that they are in good condition and follow the standards and regulations while sailing. He inspects the equipment and machinery on board to ascertain its safety levels and then reports on their condition.
- Naval Architect - Mariners on engineering side also have many options available to choose from. A naval engineer is the person who designs, constructs and also repairs ships and smaller marine vessels. So if designing is your cup of tea then Naval architecture is definitely the profession for you
- Manning Office Job - As a marine who has plenty of sailing experience, a sailor would know all about joining and signing-off. So when a sailor decides to give up sailing the best thing for him to do would be to open up a manning office to provide experienced crew to big management companies and also handle the signing-off and joining of the crew.
- Marine Design Engineer - A marine design engineer creates and designs the vessels and various kinds’ machinery and equipment required onboard. An in depth understanding of sailing and the nuances of ship’s machinery is a must for a marine design engineer.
Out of all these choices I'm most attracted to naval architect because engineering drawing comes naturally to me. I love to create designs in my head then quickly sketch them down on anything. Marine design engineer is also attractive but it will be difficult for me as I'm quite slow on understanding machine operations.
Based On Arcticle : from Marine Insight
Shipbuilding Engineer: A General Overview
However, getting into the profession of shipbuilding engineering is not so easy. There are various steps that need to be followed in order to become a shipbuilding engineer.
The same can be explained as follows:
- Interested shipbuilding engineers have two options with respect to taking up shipbuilding engineering
- By taking up engineering jobs as an entrant in the shipbuilding sector and then fulfilling the required number of hours will enable a person to become eligible as a shipbuilding engineer
- The second alternative is to get the required engineering degree from a certified university and then with the appropriate documents become a qualified shipbuilding engineer
- Shipbuilding engineering does not only include building and designing ships in the shipyards, but also includes performing of the necessary maintenance and repair work on a ship. Thus it can be said that the complete responsibility of the shipbuilding engineer is to make sure that a ship can be put to use in the sea at any point of time
Shipbuilding engineers in addition to being offered positions in commercial shipping companies are also required in the naval shipping sector. This means that individuals interested in a shipbuilding engineering career can opt for either of the two choices. There are various universities that offer shipbuilding engineering. A couple of them can be listed as follows:
- Odessa National Maritime University (Ukraine)
- US Merchant Marine Academy (United States)
In addition to the above mentioned requirements, an individual aspiring to be a shipbuilding engineer also needs to fulfil the physical conditions for the career. This includes a good physical health and eye-sight – without any signs of colour blindness whatsoever. These conditions are extremely important because the job of shipbuilding engineer is quite demanding. If the candidate does not satisfy these health requirements, then because of medical incompetence he or she will not be able to opt for shipbuilding engineering career.
The pay of a shipbuilding engineer is quite good. In the days to come, it has also been predicted that the requirement of the engineering professional is also bound to grow up. The average salary rate of a shipbuilding engineer is anywhere around US$ 45,000 to US$ 80,000, while the highest is somewhere around US$ 1, 03,000. It is also being expected that the rate of salary for these engineers will also increase along with the increasing trends of their requirement.
Without shipbuilding engineers, building of vessels used for water transportation would have become extremely difficult. Only good universities and competent teachers can push students towards highly beneficial career of shipbuilding engineering.
original article : http://marineinsight.com/careers-2/shore/shipbuilding-engineer-a-general-overview/
Weird but wonderful
While learning naval architecture one of the most interesting thing in my opinion was the SWATH hull type.
original article : marine insight
SWATH ship is the abbreviated form of the word ‘Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull’ ship. Swath ships are designed in such a way that they have two or dual hulls instead of the conventional single hull. Technically, a swath ship is a type of a catamaran. The two hulls of the swath ship are built so as to offer the maximum amount of balance or buoyancy to the ship. The placement of the hull is such that it rests under the water surface, making it safer and easier for the ship to sail when high tides and fast currents hit with full force. Whereas in single hull ships or boats, the hull floats above the surface of the water which makes the sailing difficult especially during unpredictable and rough seas
The position of the hull under the surface of the water is also sometimes referred to being ‘submarine submerged’ as the technology looks similar to a submarine moving under the water. Along with the factor of buoyancy, a swath vessel is also known for its speed. Another feature and advantage of a swath vessel over the traditional ships is that it offers a bigger and wider area than the conventional types of ships.
link : http://marineinsight.com/marine/types-of-ships-marine/what-is-a-swath-ship/
New Propulsion System!
Azipod system used on ships is combination of both propulsion and steering systems. In conventional propulsion system, a large two stroke engine is connected to a shaft, which passes through shaft tunnel and stern tube and connects to the propeller outside the hull in the aft part of the ship. The steering of such system is done with the help of a rudder placed in the aft of the propeller.
However, in azipod arrangement, the propulsion and steering systems are combined and made into one part. The system consists of a propeller which is driven by an electrical motor and the propeller is turned by the rudder which is connected to the system.
The motor is placed inside the sealed pod and is connected to the propeller. It should be noted that the sealing of the pod should be perfect otherwise it can damage the whole motor and make the ship handicap from maneuvering. The motor used for this system is variable frequency electric motor. Using variable frequency, the rotational speed of the propeller can be controlled i.e. the speed can be increased or decreased.
The azipod system is also known as POD drive system, where POD stands for Propulsion with Outboard Electric motor. The whole azipod system is situated outside the hull in the aft of the ship. The azipod can turn in all the directions i.e. 360 degrees with the help of a rudder, and thus provides a thrust in any direction which is not possible in the conventional system. The propeller in the pod system is moved by the rudder which is placed in the steering flat, also the power module for the system.
Understanding the Azipod System
The azipod system is a type of electric propulsion system which consists of three main components:
1) Supply Transformer
The power produced from the generators is as high as 6600 KV, which is stepped down to the necessary voltage by the supply transformer required and is provided to the motor placed in the pod.
2) Propulsion motor
Propulsion motor is used to drive or to produce thrust. The system needs some method for rotating the propeller and this is done with the help of electric motor.
3) Frequency Controller/converter
This is used to change the frequency of the supplied power so that the rotating speed of the motor can be controlled depending on the requirement.
Advantages of Azipod System
1) Greater maneuverability as the propeller can be turned in all directions. This enables better stop distance during crash maneuvering than that provided by the conventional system.
2) In case of ships having large breadth, two or more azipods which are independent of each other can be used. This provides subtle maneuvering.
3) It saves a lot of space in the engine room as there is no engine, propeller, shafting and other arrangements. The saved space can thus be used for storing more cargo.
4) The system can be placed below the ship’s height thus providing more efficiency than the conventional system.
5) Use of side thruster is eliminated as the pods can be used for providing the side thrust.
6) Low noise and vibrations than the conventional system.
7) Low fuel and lube oil consumption.
8) Environment friendly as emissions are extremely low.
Disadvantages
1) Azipod system requires massive initial cost.
2) A large number of diesel generators are required for producing power.
3) There is a limitation to the power produced by the motor. As of now the maximum power available is 21 MW.
4) Cannot be installed in large ships with heavy cargo which need a lot of power and large motors.
