Appropriate Technical Support is an Essential Part of Vessel Construction
When designing a new vessel or modifying an existing one, the starting point to ensuring safety is to work with competent persons that have the relevant skills, experience and education.
There are many experienced and talented boatbuilders throughout Atlantic Canada — we just seem to have a knack for it in this region.
Boatbuilders could be individuals that grew up around boatbuilding because of a family history in the industry. Boatbuilders could also be carpenters that became involved in boatbuilding or people who had a keen interest in boats and learned the skill from working with experienced individuals in the field. Still others might have gotten involved because they liked taking on a challenge.
Boatbuilding is complex and it involves all trades. It includes fibreglass laminating, woodworking and carpentry, electrical, plumbing, welding and metal work, mechanical systems, hydraulics and electronics. It takes a skilled team to produce a well-built vessel that meets all the necessary regulatory requirements. Just go aboard a newly-built vessel and it is hard not to be impressed.
However, often forgotten, or not given the appropriate amount of credit, is the technical support behind the scenes that is needed to help produce the completed vessel. These people are the engineers and technologists that help the owner and builder realize the finished product and determine how the vessel should be built.
These professionals guide the builder as to the size of the required structure and material scantlings, bolt sizes and laminate thickness or steel and wood details, as well as correct mechanical, piping and electrical systems — such that when the vessel is completed it can be demonstrated that it meets an acceptable standard.
This information is best presented by way of drawings and calculations. Technical support also advises on safety and stability, both at the beginning of the design and construction process and after the vessel is completed. This kind of work can only be completed with confidence by competent persons who are educated and trained in the appropriate fields.
Sure, many boatbuilders can guess at what will work based on experience and they are typically correct in their decisions about such things as wood structure sizes, fibreglass and steel thickness and shafting requirements for example. But this work is required to be backed up by proper documentation.
It is not uncommon that vessels can be underbuilt in critical areas and overbuilt in less demanding areas. It does occur where what may work for residential or commercial construction, does not work in vessel construction.
There are construction and joinery techniques that are specific to vessel construction and not following those could lead to structural failure. These shortcomings could be avoided by consulting with competent persons at the beginning of the design and construction process. These individuals will also be your liaison with the regulators such as Transport Canada.
Working with qualified persons will mean the project will run smoother, reduce material wastage, be a better-built vessel, have full drawing and stability documentation upon completion and receive a valid Transport Canada certificate upon inspection.
The cost to hire and consult with qualified professionals outweighs the cost of incorrect decisions, unnecessary usage of materials and time delays related to reworking and vessel certification.
Boatbuilders and owners typically want to use the best construction materials and outfit their vessels with the best equipment. The same should apply to the technical support necessary to bring the vessel to fruition.
Involving qualified competent persons at the beginning of and during the vessel construction allows the builder to focus on what they are best at, building the vessel. And it helps create and maintain a good working relationship with Transport Canada. It is the best value investment to achieve a well-built, strong, seaworthy, stable and safe vessel.