Launching is one of the most important activities in a shipyard. Its critical to safely launch the vessel as unsafe launching may lead to unsolicited damage to the ship's hull. This presnetation describes various methods used by shipyards to launch a ship once it's ready.

1. Naveen Kumar, SCI1
Ship Launching Methods

2. Launching
Naveen Kumar, SCI2
Launching is the most important event during the
process of ship construction. Launching means
that vessel goes from construction berth into the
water.

3. Naveen Kumar, SCI3
Different types of Ship launching methods
Traditionally, ship launching in the water is done
using four main types of methods. These
methods are:
 Gravitational type launching
 Floating-out type launching
 Mechanical Type launching
 Airbag launching

4. Gravitational type launching
Naveen Kumar, SCI4
1.Longitudinal Oiled Slide-way Launching
The longitudinal oiled slide-way launching is one of
the oldest forms of launching systems. Using this
system, the ship slides on a slide-way and under its
own weight enters the water. Oil or wax is used to
assist in the sliding process.
The main advantage of this method is that it uses
simple equipment and can be used for vessels with
different tonnage and types. However, the coating of
oil which is used to slide the ship smoothly can pollute
the water. There is also danger of huge pressure on
the front part of the ship during the launch.

5. Naveen Kumar, SCI5

6. Naveen Kumar, SCI6
2. Longitudinal Steel – Roller Slide-way
Launching
In this type of ship launching method steel rollers
are used instead of oil to reduce friction during
sliding.

7. Naveen Kumar, SCI7

8. Naveen Kumar, SCI8
3. Side Oiled Slide-way Launching
The side oiled slide-way launching system is also
one of the most widely used ship launching
systems. The slide-way extends into the water
and the ship slides into the water using the slide-
way. The ship then becomes steady based on its
own buoyancy and stability factors. Such
launching requires the ship to have great stability
and strength.

9. Floating-out type launching
Naveen Kumar, SCI9
The floating out type launching is carried out for
ships which are built in dry-docks and are
launched by filling the dock with water.
(Technically this is not a ship launching
procedure) The floating-out type launching
system is a simple, effective, and safe procedure.
This type of method is most widely used by
shipbuilders.

10. Naveen Kumar, SCI10

11. Mechanical type launching
Naveen Kumar, SCI11
In this method some mechanical means such as
cranes, winches, ship lift etc. equipment is used.
That means you need some equipment or
machinery to launch the vessel. Mostly this
method is used for smaller size vessels.

12. Naveen Kumar, SCI12

13. Air Bags Launching
Naveen Kumar, SCI13
Air bags Launching
Launching ships using air bags is an innovative
and safe technique to launch ships in water.
These airbags are usually cylindrical in shape
with hemispherical heads at both ends. They are
made of reinforced rubber layers and have high
load capacity. This method can easily be used in
all types and sizes of vessels.

14. Naveen Kumar, SCI14

15. Naveen Kumar, SCI15
"Very careful calculations had to be made first of
all, to make sure the ship will actually move when
you ask it to and then when it's released, it will
accelerate at an acceptable speed and not go
mad.