HYSEAS III | Case Study | Longitude
Ship Design
Small Craft and Workboat Design
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Service Introduction
Longitude is a recognised partner in the design of small craft and workboats, from conversions and modifications to complete newbuild design. We bring extensive experience in the field, with a large number of workboats and small craft designs within our portfolio and a track record in undertaking modification and retrofit projects.
Small workboats, whether they be tugs, multi-purpose workboats, or high-speed RIBs and interceptors, all require specialist experience and knowledge to ensure that their operational capabilities can be achieved within their space and weight constraints. Longitude has experience in all these vessel types, from concept through to detailed design and upgrade.
With our independence from shipyards and equipment suppliers, we are also able to maintain the flexible approach that we are known for – developing designs which can be adapted to meet the specific technical and commercial requirements of the client.
Our track record in clean shipping design also includes expertise specific to alternative fuel engineering and green-powered small craft.
Finally, we combine practical ship design experience with in-depth analysis capability and the experience of complex marine operations from our sister company ABL, to deliver fit-for-purpose and sustainable design solutions for hard-working small craft.
Design Challenges with Small Craft and Workboat Market
- Designing small craft requires careful consideration of space optimisation, with direct impacts on future OPEX
- Increased stability and safety concerns within the design cycle to ensure a small craft with durability and resilience to withstand demanding conditions
- Requirement for optimised performance and manoeuvrability requiring optimised hull shapes and lightweight materials
- Risk of incorporating new technological advancements and ensuring ongoing regulatory compliance
- Small craft design with flexibility to adapt to future alternative fuel arrangements
Our Small Craft Services
Our experience in the design and construction of research vessels encapsulates a range of research vessel types, including:
- Newbuild design from feasibility analysis, concept design and detailed design and engineering
- Conversion, modifications and upgrade, including:
- Hullform development
- Performance prediction
- Seakeeping
- Weight management
- Stability
- Design for construction in steel, aluminium or composite
- Alternative fuel engineering and clean shipping design solutions
- Construction management and Owner’s Friend services
Our team has a strong background in manufacturing and in Classification Societies, which is used to ensure that all designs meet the necessary regulations and are developed for cost-effective production.
From a structural perspective, Longitude has expertise in the design of light-weight structures, composite materials and highly loaded structures, such as lift points. Safety and human-factor concerns are integral throughout all design projects.
