NAVAL ARCHITECT

Qualifications Needed to Become a Naval Architect

Naval architects work in a very specific area of architecture. They construct and maintain various types of ships, marine crafts, and other structures that are used on the water. These structures could be used for recreation, government purposes, or tourism and other commercial uses. Naval architects must acquire a variety of skills, including technical, mechanical, financial, mathematical, and communication skills.

Skills Needed to Become a Naval Architect

Naval architects design and develop marine craft. The position may also be known as a marine architect or marine engineer, according to the Occupational Information Network (O*Net). If this career interests you, get a bachelor's degree in marine engineering and naval architecture. This can be a great way to build the foundational skills necessary to construct everything from ships to torpedoes. Marine engineers and naval architects with the required skills earned a national average of $77,920, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2008.

Research

Naval architects study proposals and specifications, according to O*Net. They establish the basic characteristics and components of the marine craft, including size, weight, propulsion, speed, displacement and draft.

Design

Naval architects design marine craft and other floating structures, including ships, tugs, barges, dredges, torpedoes, submarines, floats and buoys, according to O*Net. They design the complete hull and superstructure as well as the interior, including cargo space, ladder wells, passenger compartments and elevators. During the design process, they follow specifications, test data and adhere to standards of economy, efficiency and safety.

Communication

Naval architects communicate with other marine engineering personnel and specialists, according to O*Net. They establish the arrangement of boiler room equipment, propulsion machinery, heating and ventilation, refrigeration, piping and other equipment.

Where Can Get Training and Education

1. University of New South Wales - UNSW
2. Flinders University
3. University of Strathclyde
4. Newcastle University
5. University of Southampton

Naval Architect General Job Descriptions

Naval architects are designers of ship structures, hulls, and compartments. They work closely with equipment engineers and shipbuilders to ensure that a ship functions efficiently and that its overall system is sound. Most naval architects work for private shipbuilding companies, but some work for design or research firms or are self-employed consultants. Many are employed by the U.S. Navy's Naval Sea System Command, the U.S. Coast Guard, or other branches of government.

Naval architects design the hull according to the needs of the buyer or client. The ship's structural design must allow for the equipment needed to run it, the people who will occupy it, the speed and maneuverability it will require, the stress it must withstand, and many other factors. The requirements of a luxury liner differ considerably from those of an oil tanker. The ship must be economical to build as well as to operate. Architects also select materials and write specifications for suppliers and construction workers. The architect's work usually continues throughout the building process, because some portions of ship design must be completed during the actual construction.

Some naval architects specialize in certain aspects of the work. They may concentrate on remodeling vessels or on researching the use of new materials or techniques. An architect may specialize in designing particular kinds of ships such as yachts or freight vessels.

How Does a Day of Naval Architect Goes On

Naval architects design ships for shipbuilding companies or design and research firms. When designing a vessel they must take into account things such as comfort, space for equipment, maneuverability required and the stress it will undergo. They work with equipment engineers and shipbuilders throughout the building process to make sure that the construction takes place correctly.

Function

The work naval architects carryout on a day-to-day basis depends on the type of vessel they are designing. The design of a mega yachts differs from that of a container ship, for example. The naval architect is in charge of not only the design, but also choosing the materials needed and writing down the specifications for both the suppliers and the construction workers. Many naval architects specialize in a certain type of vessel such as cruise liners or oil tankers.

Qualifications

Candidates can choose to study a bachelor's degree in naval architecture, but this is offered by a limited number of universities in the United States. Alternative relevant degree programs include architecture, marine engineering, ocean engineering or mechanical engineering. A candidate should have a working knowledge of electrics, hydraulics, mathematics and materials testing before entering the profession.

Prospects

The job growth in this sector will be slower than the national average through to 2014, according to State University. There will still be a need for new naval architects, however, as the demand for smaller naval vessels and yachts increases. Those who have a bachelor's degree in an appropriate field such as architecture, mechanical or civil engineering, will stand a good chance of entering the profession and may receive on-the-job training.

Work Environment

In general, naval architects work a 40-hour week, although more hours may be worked when deadlines draw near. Their time is divided between the office and their computer and the work site where the ship or boats will be built. Work sites can be hazardous places, so naval architects need to be aware of the necessary safety procedures.

Earnings

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the average salary for naval architects in 2008 was $74,000 a year, although experienced naval architects working for the private sector can earn more than $100,000 a year. Benefits include paid vacation, health insurance and pension plans

Naval architects are designers of ship structures, hulls, and compartments. They work closely with equipment engineers and shipbuilders to ensure that a ship functions efficiently and that its overall system is sound. Most naval architects work for private shipbuilding companies, but some work for design or research firms or are self-employed consultants. Many are employed by the U.S. Navy's Naval Sea System Command, the U.S. Coast Guard, or other branches of government.

Responsibilities of a Naval Architect

The main responsibility of naval architect engineer is to design and construct ships and boats. His responsibility is to work on the marine off-shore drilling platforms. The responsibility of naval architect is to work and prepare the best and sea worthy design. The responsibility of each of the phases of ships and its equipments are handled and managed by Naval Architect.

Naval Architect Job Responsibilities

-He is responsible for solving the problems that affects the economics of marine time specifications.

-His responsibility is to make use of his experience and knowledge while teaching in any of the institution.

-His responsibility is to act as consultant, thus he is also responsible for guiding and directing the project management team and technicians.

-He is responsible for the production of the ship from its starting point to its proper delivery.

-His responsibility is to do research for some of the concepts related to the equipments that are not well cleared and identified on its implementation basis.

-His responsibility is to manage, monitor and direct the staff members and employees working in an organization, for their effective working.

-His responsibility is to make designs of ship in a way that it should fulfill all the basic requirements of users.

Interview With Olle Rutgersson, Naval Architecture

Under the captain’s cap there is always a human being. This is something that Olle Rutgersson is anxious to emphasise as holder of the newly-established professorship in naval architecture and as head of the School of Maritime Studies. One of the most central research areas is maritime safety.

As a collective term, naval architecture is quite new. The subject covers most things related to seagoing vessels and their operation. Olle Rutgersson has already been a professor in this subject for ten years at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm.

“I came here so to speak with both the subject and a couple of research projects as naval architecture no longer exists in Stockholm. The idea is that we will work closely with industry and the conditions could not be any better than here at Chalmers Lindholmen. After just six months everything feels highly promising and very inspiring.”

Olle Rutgersson came originally from Göteborg and as a Chalmers graduate he is clearly happy to be back. Before moving to Stockholm he was involved in research into propellers for fast-going vessels and he also worked at the SSPA research company in Göteborg: a fully-fledged engineer but a person who constantly emphasises the relationship between technology and the human being. He cannot stress enough how important it is to immerse oneself in the human aspects from the very outset in everything related to technical design.