Design of a controlled side launching system for tugboats

Abstract

The launching of a vessel is one critical issue to deal for during the manufacture process of a ship, when there is always the risk of damage the vessel and its appendages, especially when the vessel is launched by slipways because it involves high velocities and heavy body motions. Therefore, the kinematic behaviour of tugboats during the side launching was studied, in order to describe the specific risk factors of the method in the Damen Shipyards Galati. Then, a new controlled side launching system is proposed based in the requirements and specifications of the company. The classic methodology of product design is applied in this study for conception of a solution for improving the gravitational side launching system in Damen Shipyards Galati. The detailed design of the controlled side launching system is presented as final result of the study, including the simulation of the kinematic of launching of the one of the tugboat, CAD models and drawings and the structural calculation of the designed structure using FEM analysis.