Naval Architect is a professional engineering field during which the Naval Architects concentrate on the planning, internal control, construction, and maintenance of ships, boats, other marine vessels, and offshore structures, including civil and military both, including:
- Merchant ships which include Oil/Gas Tankers, Cargo Ships, Cruise Liners, etc
- Passenger/Vehicle Ferries
- Naval Warships such as Frigates, Destroyers, Aircraft Carriers, Amphibious Ships, etc
- Submarines and underwater vehicles
- Offshore Drilling Platforms, Semi Submersibles, FPSOs
- High-Speed Crafts such as Hovercraft, Multi-Hull Ships, Hydrofoil Craft, etc
- Workboats – Fishing Vessels, Tugs, Pilot Vessels, Rescue Craft, etc
- Yachts, Power Boats, and other recreational craft
No other field has such exposure to such a good design and development career like in Naval Architecture. As a Naval Architect, a private features a wide spectrum of labor including design of warships and submarines, overseeing of construction at shipyards, platform trials stumped, onboard warship postings also as refit and operational support for vessels even while at dry docks.
Naval Architects are liable for the most important, most complex, and highly moveable structures that provide safe and efficient transport of the world’s raw materials and products.
Such a scale of development requires a whole team of professional engineers from various fields and disciplines, the Naval Architect integrates their activities and takes ultimate responsibility for the entire project to supply a product that’s “fit for the purpose”.
The Naval Architects even have a task within the design of a secure, economic, and seaworthy marine vessel. An understanding of all related branches of engineering, knowledge of CAD, and calculations is additionally required.
Evolution of the sector | Naval Architect
The evolution of Naval Architecture has a stimulating history thereto which attracts various researchers and scientists. During the 1600s aesthetics got more important than the particular construction of and performance of a ship, ignoring factors like stability and hull proportions. The drawings were designed without application of geometry, they were made almost like drawings of villas and opulent houses with intricate decorations and style ideas.
But then the 1700s came alongside changes, Naval Architecture is believed to have been born within the mountains of Peru. Pierre Bouguer, a French astronomer who never built a ship in his life is claimed to be the person behind the birth of Naval Architecture. In 1735 the French Navy and science communities sent an expedition to Peru to verify the form of Earth. it had been the time when the form of Earth wasn’t discovered as spherical. On this 10-year expedition, Pierre Bouguer wrote Traite du navire(treatise of the ship), which is taken into account because the first book and cornerstone of Naval Architecture set down the scientific aspects of shipbuilding. At the top of the 1700s, Britain found itself in power, technological revolution came with new technologies and knowledge of ship design which made Britain an undisputable maritime power.
Career scope
Naval Architecture provides a good range of employment opportunities as they’re involved during a big variety of labor, among which a number of the most areas are listed below:-
- Design
- Construction and Repair
- Consultancy
- Marketing and Sales
- Operations
- Regulation, Surveying, and Overseeing
- Research and Development
- Education and Training
The big variety of labor within the field with each type having its distinctive character and offering opportunities in technical and managerial posts alongside a chance for foreign travel. the sort of qualifications and intent decides what Naval Architects may concentrate on and develop experience within the market. There also are opportunities in top management posts in industrial, government, and commerce even outside the maritime field.
Qualifications and Skills Required | Naval Architect
The candidates require a minimum of 60% marks in BE/B. Tech Degree from a recognized university in any one of the following streams:-
- Mechanical
- Mechanical Engineering with Automation
- Civil
- Aeronautical
- Metallurgy
- Naval Architecture
A Naval Architect as a professional must have a creative, enquiring, and logical mind, clear communication ability with others inside and outside the field, sound judgment, and leadership qualities.
Top 3 countries to pursue Naval Architecture
1. United States
The United States has the top universities to pursue the field which include the best-experienced teachers and qualifications to the students in Naval Architecture. Some of the best universities are:-
- Massachusetts Maritime Academy
- University of Michigan
- University of New Orleans
- Texas A&M University
- Webb Institute
The average Naval Architect’s gross salary in the United States is $114,085 or an equivalent hourly rate of $55. In addition, they earn a mean bonus of $4,050.
An entry-level Naval Architect (1-3 years of experience) earns a mean salary of $79,618. A senior-level Naval Architect (8+ years of experience) earns an average salary of $141,711.
2. China
The top universities of China providing the course in Naval Architecture are as follows:-
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University
- Harbin Engineering University
- Tianjin University
- Dalian University of Technology
- Wuhan University of Technology
The average Naval Architect’s gross salary in China is ¥302,473 or the same hourly rate of ¥145. In addition, they earn a mean bonus of ¥10,738.
An entry-level Naval Architect (1-3 years of experience) earns a mean salary of ¥213,365. On the other end, a senior level Naval Architect (8+ years of experience) earns an average salary of ¥379,765.
3. United Kingdom
Universities in the United Kingdom that provide courses in Naval Architecture include:-
- University of Strathclyde
- University of Southampton
- Newcastle University
- Solent University
The average Naval Architect’s gross salary in the United Kingdom is £61,139 or an equivalent hourly rate of £29. In addition, they earn a mean bonus of £2,170.
An entry-level Naval Architect (1-3 years of experience) earns a mean salary of £42,668. On the other end, a senior level Naval Architect ( 8+ years of experience) earns an average salary of £75,944.
Online courses for Naval Architects
1. BVS eAcademy’s Introduction to Naval Architecture
Course details:-
Study method: eLearning
Duration: 18 hours
Price: 900 €
Course language: English
On completion, of course, Bureau Veritas Solutions Marine & Offshore issues the participant with a Certificate of Introduction to Naval Architecture. This course is aimed at anyone curious about understanding the overall principles of Naval Architecture. This includes posts such as Officers and Seafarers; Shipyards Technical Staff; Surveyors, Ship Managers, Technical Superintendents, Ship Masters; P&I and/or Insurance Inspectors; Marine Engineers; Etc.
On completion of the training, students are going to be ready to understand the ship design process and therefore the main terms and definitions used, including the lines plan, the shape coefficients used in ship design, and therefore the area and volume properties. Know the essential concepts of intact and damage stability. The course aims at understanding the basic principles of ship structures, structural design, scantling determination, and typical structural arrangements of different ship types.
2. Certificate in Naval Architecture- Lloyd’s Maritime Academy
Course description:-
This distance learning program runs over 14 weeks wherein participants are exposed to a comprehensive view of naval architecture and therefore the role of a naval architect. This course covers the key knowledge, tools, techniques, and best practices employed by naval architects all around the world.
Participants are going to be taught the most components of a ship’s design and the way they affect its behavior within the marine environment. This course is highly recommended for sales managers, surveyors, superintendents, etc., who work alongside naval architects.
This course is suitable for Naval Architects and other aligned maritime individuals who can grasp the basics of ship design and production.
Participants receive an award by Lloyd’s Maritime Academy Professional Development Certificate at the end. Successful participants in this course are eligible as an Associate of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects (AssocRINA).
3. Principles of Naval Archiecture – Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Level: Undergraduate / Graduate
Course description:-
This course runs through principles of naval architecture which includes calculation and drawing of curves of form, intact and damage stability, ship geometry, hydrostatics, hull structure strength calculations, and ship resistance. It exposes participants to computer-aided naval ship design and analysis tools. The course has projects such as analysis of ship lines drawings, calculation of ship hydrostatic characteristics, analysis of intact and damaged stability, ship model testing, and hull structure strength calculations.
