Ever since the dawn of human civilisation, oceans have served as a great source of mystery to the human beings from time to time. They have fascinated people, resulting in the discovery of new lands and people, with the help of boats & ships. Man innovated and made bigger & faster ships. Of course, the outer appearance has changed as ships have become more attractive. He is a professional engineer, who is responsible for design, construction, development and repair of the surface and underwater vessels and operating systems including ships, boats and offshore structures.
The minimum qualification required to become a naval architect is a Bachelor’s degree in Naval Architecture/Ocean Engineering. You can also, after doing a Bachelor in Architecture, pursue a post graduation (specialisation) in Naval Architecture. You are expected to know about the systems involved in a typical design process, like analysing requirements, deciding materials and production techniques as well as assessing quality and reliability. Thus, in addition to various engineering techniques such as material fabrication, assembly, installation and commissioning, you will also be taught management practices such as production, planning and quality control.
The naval architects deal with both civil and military vessels (such as merchant ships & warships); submarines, light-speed crafts (such as hovercraft and multihull ships); yachts and recreational craft. They are also responsible for design and development of drilling platforms and other structures. They have to ensure that the design meets the technical and safety standards laid down by various governing agencies. Their other responsibilities include management of planning, production and the complex operation of fitting equipment. Organisation of supply of materials and components as well as inspection and testing, optimum use of new techniques and equipment and better training for the work force are some of the other important functions of the naval architects.
Since ships and other offshore vessels remain in service for many years, their maintenance and up-gradation is a routine function of the naval architects. There are times when they have to come out with ingenious ideas and improvise on the spot during emergency repair work.
Engineering at such scales and in the present age of sophisticated technologies is essentially a teamwork consisting of engineers from various disciplines. Ships are berthed in dry docs for repair. Therefore, the naval architects spend their time on computers using architecture and engineering software in the dry docks. Besides, naval architects also coordinate activities with their clients, other professionals and government officials. In addition, they also assist in the budgeting process. In nutshell, naval architects integrate all the above-mentioned activities to produce a product according to the purpose.
To become a good naval architect you should have good design and technical skills, sound analytical and numerical ability, eye of detail, good communication skills and mechanical ability. The other important traits of this profession include physical stamina, to work on the desk as well as site, patience, sense of responsibility and accountability and team spirit.
Naval architects generally find employment, to take up design work, with ship and boat builders, offshore constructions, design consultants and regulatory and ship survey societies. Big companies such as Garden Reach Ship Builders and Engineers Ltd., Mazgaon Docks, Goa Shipyard Ltd., etc., as well as other companies such as ONGS, involved in off-shore petroleum drilling also employ naval architects. They also also employ naval architects. They also work on other commercial as well as defence products. Moreover, naval architects can work with companies engaged in design of products like propulsion system, auxiliary system (backup), underwater equipment and control systems. They also find employment in the technical departments of companies where they are responsible for many phases of ship and equipment procurement and for taking care of the company’s maritime operations.
Government departments employ naval architects to frame the safety regulations and manage survey ships and equipment to ensure safety. Classification companies also employ ship surveyors for evaluating the safety of marine structures and ships following government regulations. In addition, companies engaged in research and development, educational institutes, sales and marketing department of marine engineering and construction engineering also employ naval architects.
Starting salaries are on the higher side, in the range of Rs 15,000-20,000 a month for those with a bachelor’s degree as it is a specialised service. If you have a postgraduate degree the salary is in the range of 22,000 to Rs. 30,000 per month. In the government Organisations, pay scales are Rs.8,000 - 16,000, but job security along with other benefits make it equally attractive.
The minimum qualification required to become a naval architect is a Bachelor’s degree in Naval Architecture/Ocean Engineering. You can also, after doing a Bachelor in Architecture, pursue a post graduation (specialisation) in Naval Architecture. You are expected to know about the systems involved in a typical design process, like analysing requirements, deciding materials and production techniques as well as assessing quality and reliability. Thus, in addition to various engineering techniques such as material fabrication, assembly, installation and commissioning, you will also be taught management practices such as production, planning and quality control.
The naval architects deal with both civil and military vessels (such as merchant ships & warships); submarines, light-speed crafts (such as hovercraft and multihull ships); yachts and recreational craft. They are also responsible for design and development of drilling platforms and other structures. They have to ensure that the design meets the technical and safety standards laid down by various governing agencies. Their other responsibilities include management of planning, production and the complex operation of fitting equipment. Organisation of supply of materials and components as well as inspection and testing, optimum use of new techniques and equipment and better training for the work force are some of the other important functions of the naval architects.
Since ships and other offshore vessels remain in service for many years, their maintenance and up-gradation is a routine function of the naval architects. There are times when they have to come out with ingenious ideas and improvise on the spot during emergency repair work.
Engineering at such scales and in the present age of sophisticated technologies is essentially a teamwork consisting of engineers from various disciplines. Ships are berthed in dry docs for repair. Therefore, the naval architects spend their time on computers using architecture and engineering software in the dry docks. Besides, naval architects also coordinate activities with their clients, other professionals and government officials. In addition, they also assist in the budgeting process. In nutshell, naval architects integrate all the above-mentioned activities to produce a product according to the purpose.
To become a good naval architect you should have good design and technical skills, sound analytical and numerical ability, eye of detail, good communication skills and mechanical ability. The other important traits of this profession include physical stamina, to work on the desk as well as site, patience, sense of responsibility and accountability and team spirit.
Naval architects generally find employment, to take up design work, with ship and boat builders, offshore constructions, design consultants and regulatory and ship survey societies. Big companies such as Garden Reach Ship Builders and Engineers Ltd., Mazgaon Docks, Goa Shipyard Ltd., etc., as well as other companies such as ONGS, involved in off-shore petroleum drilling also employ naval architects. They also also employ naval architects. They also work on other commercial as well as defence products. Moreover, naval architects can work with companies engaged in design of products like propulsion system, auxiliary system (backup), underwater equipment and control systems. They also find employment in the technical departments of companies where they are responsible for many phases of ship and equipment procurement and for taking care of the company’s maritime operations.
Government departments employ naval architects to frame the safety regulations and manage survey ships and equipment to ensure safety. Classification companies also employ ship surveyors for evaluating the safety of marine structures and ships following government regulations. In addition, companies engaged in research and development, educational institutes, sales and marketing department of marine engineering and construction engineering also employ naval architects.
Starting salaries are on the higher side, in the range of Rs 15,000-20,000 a month for those with a bachelor’s degree as it is a specialised service. If you have a postgraduate degree the salary is in the range of 22,000 to Rs. 30,000 per month. In the government Organisations, pay scales are Rs.8,000 - 16,000, but job security along with other benefits make it equally attractive.
As in other fields, a naval architect's career options increase as he gains experience. With time you can become a specialist in some area or develop a broader expertise in several areas. Generally, you grow to become senior executives. You can also start your own consultancy services providing clients with engineering solutions, technical guidance and project management for vessel construction, repair and upgradation. If you want to progress faster, you must keep in regular touch with the latest developments in the field of technology and also be aware of the new opportunities in this field.
Institutes
- Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi-110016. Course-Diploma (Postgraduate)
- Indian Institute of Technology, Department of Ship Tech., Kharagpur-721302. Course - B.Tech in Naval Architecture
- College of Engineering, Waltair, Visakhapatnam-530003. Course - B.E. Naval Architecture
- Cochin University of Science and Technolgy, Department of Technology, Thrikakara Campus, Kochin-682022. Course - B.Tech Naval Architecture and B.Tech Ship Building
- Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai - 600036. Course - B.Tech Naval Architecture.
- Naval Colege of Engineering, INS Shivaji, Lonavla-410402.
