Dry dock
Dry dock
● Dry docks are structures that allow complete dry access to vessel for maintenance,
overhaul,and repairs or for new construction and launching.
● Primarily used for construction, maintenance, and repair of ships, boats, and other watercrafts
Need for dry docking ;
● To expose the underwater portion of the vessels fully and keep it of water during its bottom
inspection or repair or renovation
● To conduct underwater damage surveys as well as for periodical surveys for certification of ships
sea worthiness
● For bottom cleaning and painting to reduce drag of water for maintenance of speed
● To attend propeller work and examination or change of tail shaft or other underwater fittings
Most ships are required to be dry-docked twice every five years to ensure seaworthiness of the
ships
Desirable characteristics and features for efficient operation of a dry dock
● Adequate space in and around the dry
dock for ease of personnel and material
movement with the vessel in the dock
● Fast and efficient access is needed to
and from the dock
● Adequate light and ventilation
● Support facilities (civil, electrical and mechanical services)
● Material handling systems such as cranes
● Proper blocking system to support the weight of the ship
TYPES OF DRY DOCKS
Basin dry dock or Graving dock Vertical lifts
Marine railways/ Slipway Floating dry dock
Basin dry dock and it’s operation
- A basin dry dock is simply an excavation or depression
in the earth with one end interacting with the sea or
navigable body of water. The seaward end is locked
or sealed off with a gate for dry docking.
- Water in the dry dock pumped out, by heavy duty
pumps for the ship to sit on pre – arranged
blocks for dry docking a vessel.
Components of Dry Dock:
• Dry dock floors and allied facilities
• Dry dock walls with provision for other amenities
• Dry dock gates
• Dry dock equipment dry dock gate
Operation:
● Once the ship and the docking blocks have been properly prepared, the basin is filled with
water.
● The water is filled until the water level inside is equal to the level in the harbour.
● Then, the gate is opened, and the ship is moved into the dock.
● Warping into the dock usually is accomplished by using head lines and spring lines on
capstans or winches.
● The dock gate is closed and alignment of vessels is done as per the docking blocks.
● The ship is properly positioned before energizing the pumps.
The most common material used for the blocks are:
● Concrete with steel
● Timber blocks
● Timber on top and concrete at the bottom
Operation of Basin dry dock
The keel and bilge block are placed on the floor of the dock as per "docking plan”
-> supporting blocks should conform to structural members so that the ship is not damaged when
its weight is supported by the blocks
- The water level is lowered and the
ship settles gently on the blocks.
- During dewatering the ship’s position
is carefully monitored and adjusted.
- Similarly, in the reverse order the undocking
is carried out. Operation of Basin dry dock
Operation of Basin dry dock
● The floor of the basin is not adjustable, on contrary to the floating dock.
● The vessel will be docked with substantial trim and may result in an extremely high load
during the initial contact with the blocking.
● This could make the ship unstable.
● An acceptable trim usually is one foot for every 100 feet of ship length.
Operation of Basin dry dock
Operation
● Energy consumption for pumping water is inversely proportional to the ship size.
● Because of deep dock floor, the ventilation and natural light are restricted and adversely affect
the working condition.
● However, cranes can be moved conveniently in this case. Operation of Basin dry dock
Dimensions
● Length, width and depth depends on the type of ships to be docked and use.
● The effective length of a basin is the minimum horizontal distance measured along the center
line between the head wall and the dock gate.
● The effective length should be at least 3 to 5 m longer than the overall length of the maximum
designship.
● To allow for propeller and shaft work, an additional 8 to 30 m should be provided
