Practical Training in Shipbuilding Technology

Practical Training in Shipbuilding Technology
Lessons learned: Shipbuilding technology is a challenging field that covers a wide scope including naval architecture, marine engineering, systems analysis, seamanship, communication, nautical science, etc. My stints at OSCC (Overseas Shipbuilding Cooperation Centre) at Yokohama, Japan in 1984 where I was exposed to the theoretical aspects of project management, production technology, ship design, etc. The practical aspects on welding technology, production engineering, surveying methods, etc. was learned at Sumitomo Heavy Industries in Yokohama. Inspection of welding defects at various critical parts of a ship including some "hard to survey areas" like the double bottom, underwater fittings, etc. require some knowledge of non-destructive testing methods such as ultrasonic, x-ray, dye penetrant tests, etc. Reading of x-ray films require some skills such as looking for incomplete penetration of the weld, porosity, etc.
Ship design need also to consider the production and operational aspects. Sometimes what's good on paper or on the computer screen (using CAD/CAM programs) need some practical exposures such as ease of maintenance & operation for machinery, piping, electrical & electronics, navigation equipment, etc.
Shipbuilding had also been referred to as three D industry, i.e. dirty, demanding and dangerous. Whilst in some aspects its quite true, the challenge it offered to those in the marine and offshore industries are quite gratifying. Dirty actually refers to the work scope for the engineer involved in the installation and fabrication works, survey of hull structures, etc. Demanding means the engineer need to have a wide knowledge not only in naval architecture, marine engineering, project management, communication, safety & security, nautical science, etc.
Dangerous means that the engineer is exposed to the various problems associated with hot works, welding, x-ray (long term exposure will be hazardous), pressure vessels, etc.
Hence safety is of paramount importance in shipbuilding, repair, conversion and maintenance.

Total Quality Management
Another aspect which is stressed is the QC & QA in the marine industry. The shipbuilding standard is prepared in-house by the shipyard guided by IACS (International Association of Classification Societies) guidelines such as for fabrication of bulk carriers, etc. The Classification Societies including SCM (Ships Classification Malaysia) have their own rules and regulations for marine vessels.