Ship industry: launching of ships and ships [Part 15]

In the latest episode of the series "Behind the scenes of the ship industry", Marcin Ryngwelski, former president of Shipbuilding Shipbuilding Shipbuilding Shipbuilding Shipbuilding Shipbuilding Ships and Ships Renovation Shipyard, discovers the scenes of the launching process. It is not only a spectacular, but also a complicated process, requiring precision and engagement of many specialists.

The last weeks for the Tricity shipyards were extremely intense, the launch ceremonies were held for the fishing vessel and the vessel, the future ORP Swallow. Although launching is a spectacular and lofty event, many do not realize its complex nature.

Process and method of launching ships and vessels

The launching process includes various methods, applied depending on the ship's characteristics and technological conditions of the shipyards. Traditionally, several major launching techniques are used:

• Launching through dry dock water – a classic method where water is released into a dry dock and the ship is gradually floating on water.
• Side-watering from the roller slope (side) – a method where the ship is side-shifted to water, often used due to spatial limitations.
• Launching from the longitudinal slope (ruft) – traditional launching, where the ship slides forward down the slope.
• Lift launching – mainly used for smaller units, where the whole ship is lifted and lowered to water by a crane.
• Launch by dive floating dock – a method of sinking the dock, allowing the ship to swim independently.
• Launching from the so-called synchrolift – modern technology using a platform that leaves the ship directly into the water.

Each of these methods has its own specific applications and requires careful preparation of both technical and logistical. Launching is a crucial moment for every shipyard, often involving the finalisation of payments from the shipowner and ceremonies such as the baptism of a ship or naming it.

Due to its technological complexity, the yard starts preparing for launching much earlier. A special team is being formed under the leadership of the department manager, who is responsible for the assembly of the hull. The whole process is planned and implemented in stages, allowing detailed preparation for this event.

Each stage of launching is subject to strict control and its final implementation can only take place after obtaining written confirmations from each member of the team responsible for each process. They confirm in writing that all stages of preparation have been completed correctly and that the ship is ready to go down to water. The final approval for launching, issued by the president of the yard, is a formal confirmation that the entire process has been carried out in accordance with the highest safety and quality standards.

In this episode, we will look at the details of side launching, a technique that, although impressive, carries specific challenges and risks. Side launching, otherwise called side launching, has both its pluses and cons that are crucial to understanding the entire process.

Negative side launching aspects:

• Once launching, the yard loses control of the ship or ship, which may lead to unpredictable situations.
• This process generates significant overloads, therefore the level of equipment of the unit must be limited to the minimum necessary.
• Onboard launching also requires appropriate water conditions, which may further complicate planning.

Positive aspects:

• It is a spectacular process that attracts audience attention.
• The duration of launching shall normally not exceed 15 seconds.
• Thanks to this technique it is possible to build a hull on the so-called. equal keel, which simplifies the design.
• There is no need for local ramp reinforcement, which is required for longitudinal launching.

Launching is a process requiring the involvement of specialists, such as sliders and technologists. These persons are responsible for preparing all necessary documents, skid tracks and lubricants, which allow the hull to be safely brought onto the water. The hull rests on special sleds that slide down the sliding tracks into the water.

The launching process is carefully supervised to ensure its smooth course, allowing the shipowner's guests to enjoy a spectacular event that remains long in mind. In some places in the world, launching a ship may even require a temporary closure of the nearby road, as the impact of the hull against water can cause a temporary occurrence of water from the riverbed.

Although unsuccessful launchings occur rarely, sometimes they can lead to serious incidents, such as stopping a ship in a slipway or uncontrolled sinking. Any such case is a warning to the shipyards, stressing the importance of precision and caution in this dramatic aspect of the construction of ships and ships.

One of the most memorable cases of failed launching in the history of Gdańsk shipyards is the incident of March 31, 1987, when the boat was launched Mir There's been a serious accident. The hull of the unit, which was to reach the Soviet Union, capsized on the slipway, causing long-lasting rescue operations. Despite the rapid intervention of divers from the Polish Ship Rescue, the ship managed to pull out of the slipway only in July, which involved delays and additional costs.

The accident investigation conducted by the authorities at the time did not produce clear results, although sabotage was suspected. Eventually, it was considered that the cause was most likely a frozen lubricator in the trolleys supporting the ship's bow. Despite the unfortunate beginning, the construction of this unit was finally completed. In the history of sailing Mir he became famous as one of the fastest sailing ships in the world, which confirmed his numerous victories in prestigious regatta. However, this dramatic episode remains a warning for the shipyards, highlighting the importance of precision and caution in the launching process.

Another episode soon... ⚓️

Source: Marcin Ryngwelski/LinkedIn

• Launching and baptism of the future ORP Swallow