A naval architect is a professional who works on ships at all stages of design and construction, as well as afterward. They must collaborate closely with the engineer to ensure that everything is in working order. Building a ship involves many steps, especially in vessels as large as those required the Navy. The architect is required to perform five basic tasks, which can be divided into three categories. The three main responsibilities of a naval architect are design, construction, and follow-up.
A naval architect’s first job responsibility is to design and plan each individual ship that needs to be built. The planning stage begins with a discussion of the specific requirements, such as the number of people the ship will carry, the amount of weight it will hold, and how fast and maneuverable it must be. Once the architect has a clear idea of what needs to be built, he or she will sit down and design the new ship based on the requirements that were discussed. The majority of the time, this is accomplished through the use of various computer programs, but it can also be accomplished through the use of hand drawings and blueprints.
The naval architect must collaborate closely with the engineer during the construction phase to ensure that the blueprints are followed to the letter. The architect will check the completed pieces against the plans that they have drawn up while building the various areas of the ship. Starting with the foundation and ending with the engine, as well as any accessories to be included, every section of the ship will be examined in this manner. The architect is responsible for ensuring that the blueprints are followed, even though the engineer is in charge of the construction phase.
Following up after the ship has been built and is ready for use is the final aspect of the job. The ship’s performance will be evaluated, and any changes that are needed to improve the ship’s performance will be implemented the naval architect. They must record every detail of the first few voyages, including top speed, weight, maneuverability, and any other requirements that were discussed during the initial meeting. The documentation will then be reviewed to determine whether any improvements are required or whether the ship can be left as is.