Dry Dock Training

Ever since man first sent a boat into the water, there has been a need to bring it back onto dry ground. Boats accumulate marine growth while afloat and constant exposure to the weather and water eventually corrodes even the sturdiest of hulls. The drydocking of a ships has been vital requirement since the beginning of recorded history. Most ship repairs and modifications below the waterline can only be accomplished with the drydocking of a vessel.

The drydocking of a ship involves the process of lifting, lowering and balancing an extremely heavy weight. This process has evolved over many centuries as man developed the means to harness and maneuver the forces of nature in such a way that we can now consistently and safely handle the massive weights, in the variety of shapes, that we see in today’s ships and vessels. A successful drydocking involves the raising and supporting of a ship out of water; safely maintaining that position throughout the period of work on the ship; and then the safe return of the ship to its normal floating position.

Normally the Captain or Master is the one person responsible for the safety of the ship, however, the Dock Master assumes this responsibility when the ship enters a dry dock. The Dock Master must have the ability to orchestrate a safe dry dock operation. The Dock Master has to train a crew; establish procedures; maintain the dry dock equipment; and coordinate, plan and execute dry dock operations. If the Dock Master lacks knowledge or expertise for a dry dock operation, he or she should seek expert assistance.

When drydocking of a ship is planned, the Dock Master must be able to carry out the necessary calculations pertaining to ship weight, weight distribution and stability; all while respecting the limitations of the ship and the dry dock. Additionally, many drydocking situations are unique. For example, some dry docks have transfer capabilities, floating dry docks require proper blasting and flooding operations, and vertical lifts have computer systems to control motor operations.  Dock Masters are developed through formal training, on the job observations, and participating in actual drydocking operations.

Drydocking and undocking of ships and vessels is a small but specialized part of the shipbuilding and repair industry. There is little written about drydocking of vessels. Engineering and Naval Architecture books include limited information on the drydocking of vessels. To bridge this gap of lack of information, San Diego based DM Consulting conducts Dry Dock Training courses, hosts Dry Dock Conferences, and consults with organizations requiring drydocking or undocking assistance.

Leveraging extensive hands on experience in both the government and private sector, good engineering principles, and common sense, DM Consulting was able to develop a technically sound Basic Dry Dock Training Course. The course addresses the deck plate level of practical operation needed by the dock operator and universally accepted mathematical calculations required to carry out operations in accordance with established sound engineering practices. The course begins with the basic principles and progresses through drydocking safety concerns and through all phases of dry docking. These include the preparation, docking, lay period, and undocking phases. The course ends with a discussion of accidents and incidents. Both experienced and inexperienced dry dock personnel have benefited from attending the training. The educational background of the course attendees varies greatly from minimal formal education to graduate degrees in Naval Architecture and engineering. The course is presented through classroom lectures, student participation in projects and practical application exercises. There are also opportunities for attendees to take part in discussions where they can gain knowledge and share experiences. The course has accreditation with the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME) and the Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA).

Most ships that are scheduled for drydocking will have a docking plan reflecting the hull form and any special hull anomalies that must be taken into consideration. Although the hull forms and hull anomalies on occasion will be unusual, the application of general principals and concepts taught in DM Consulting's course should allow the Dock Master to decide if a ship can be safely drydocked in a dry dock based on the ship's shape of the hull, size, weight, and drafts.

There are many approaches to the drydocking of vessels and ships, some are very conservative and safe while others are more risky. Some organizations place emphasis on safety demanding vessels and ships are drydocked with as little risk as possible. The course puts emphasis on a safe drydocking approach. These safety precautions result in extra costs. Other organizations are driven by efficiency and cost. These other risky approaches to drydocking are also discussed in the course to provide a complete understanding of possible drydocking methods.

This training course cannot, of itself, produce a fully qualified Dock Master. An intensive effort on the part of the student and hands-on training on a dry dock will materially assist the individual in achieving this goal. The primary purpose of this course is to provide the academic background to enable the prospective Dock Master to understand and fully assimilate knowledge to be gained in a period of additional practical training on his/hers assigned dry dock prior to final certification and qualification of as a Dock Master.

The benefits of completing this course are not limited to Dock Masters. Other drydocking knowledgeable personnel involved in drydocking of ships are required. Completion of this course will assist Docking Officers, dry dock crew personnel, engineers, naval architects, port engineers, marine surveyors, project/program managers, ship operators/owners, and others involved in drydocking vessels in execution of their duties. Course attendees return to their roles with a more professional approach to the very technical and important process of safe drydocking and undocking of ships and vessels.

Past training sessions have attracted personnel from six continents from shipyards, engineering/consulting firms, ship crew members, and government agencies. DM Consulting instructors have US Navy drydocking qualifications. With a combined 100+ years of experience in the industry, DM Consulting has provided training and consultation to over 500 organizations from around the world. Visit www.drydocktraining.com for more information.