What Skills Are Needed to Be a Naval Architect?
Naval architects design and develop marine craft. The position may also be known as a marine architect or marine engineer, according to the Occupational Information Network (O*Net). If this career interests you, get a bachelor's degree in marine engineering and naval architecture. This can be a great way to build the foundational skills necessary to construct everything from ships to torpedoes. Marine engineers and naval architects with the required skills earned a national average of $77,920, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2008.
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Research
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Naval architects study proposals and specifications, according to O*Net. They establish the basic characteristics and components of the marine craft, including size, weight, propulsion, speed, displacement and draft.
Design
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Naval architects design marine craft and other floating structures, including ships, tugs, barges, dredges, torpedoes, submarines, floats and buoys, according to O*Net. They design the complete hull and superstructure as well as the interior, including cargo space, ladder wells, passenger compartments and elevators. During the design process, they follow specifications, test data and adhere to standards of economy, efficiency and safety.
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Communication
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Naval architects communicate with other marine engineering personnel and specialists, according to O*Net. They establish the arrangement of boiler room equipment, propulsion machinery, heating and ventilation, refrigeration, piping and other equipment.
Evaluation
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To determine any necessary design changes, naval architects evaluate the performance of marine crafts, both as they dock and during sea trials, according to O*Net. They also ensure that marine crafts function in accordance with national and international rules and regulations.
Technology
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Naval architects use an array of tools and technology, including plotting printers for maps and blueprints, according to O*Net. Their computer software may include analytical or scientific; computer aided-design (CAD); and conventional office varieties.
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- Photo Credit The ship image by Andrey Zagaynov from Fotolia.com
