How do you design a new marine vessel?

Read and re-read the SOR (statement of requirements) for the design. And then establish is it a volume driven design or a deck area based design. Then it is about weights, weights and oh yeah, weights! And finally, one can never have too many margins!

It's worth noting that the purpose/ requirements do not come from the naval architect/ marine engineer. They stem instead from the owners requirements, sponsor, and customer; who may all be the same entity/ person, or they can all be different. However, different naval architecture firms often focus on a specific range of vessels such as small craft, yachts, naval vessels, etc. The more specific the requirements given to the designers, the better. It is not uncommon for customers to give a description of their requiremetns however, and not fully understand what they are asking. This is one place where advancements in computer modeling and presentation have really helped in matching given requirements to design to actual expectations/wants.

Although often overlooked by more "technically motivated" naval architects, the requirements definition stage is probably the single most important phase in a ship design project. Particularly in the case of naval ships, these requirements will drastically alter the final solution. Not only that, but they will also influence just how operationally sucessful a naval ship may be. In general, requirements should always be defined to be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound (SMART). These should be coordinated with all stakeholders to ensure that a technologically feasible and operationally relevant solution is developed. Additionally, requirements aren't fixed and can (and often do) change throughout the project.

Designing a new marine vessel involves – Starting with a conceptual design that outlines the vessel's purpose, dimensions & basic layout. Conducting feasibility studies to assess the technical & financial viability of the design. Using computer-aided design (CAD) software to create detailed blueprints and 3D models. Performing hydrodynamic simulations to optimise the hull shape for efficiency and stability. Selecting appropriate materials and propulsion systems that balance cost, performance, and sustainability. Collaborating with naval engineers, regulatory bodies, and potential users for input and compliance. Iterating the design based on testing results and feedback to refine and finalise the vessel plans.

Detail engineering design or DED is a crucial step in development of marine structures/floaters. This is the stage where FEED and Conceptual design are further refined to make the project come to life. DED Involves a more in-depth on the scope or CTR (Cost, Time, Resources) and are often the last step in the design cycle. A good DED come from a good Feasibility study where the concept or the Basis of Design is strong and make sense.

Here are some key-lessons I've learned from my past ship design projects that are useful for both end-users and ship designers: ✔️ Don't be afraid to invest a lot of time in the initial requirements definition and concept development stages - these are likely the most important in the process; ✔️ Communicate, Collaborate and stay Flexible; ✔️ Set realistic goals and expectations for both the final product and the project development itself; ✔️ Look for opinions outside your close network - you never know where an amazing idea might come from; ✔️ Stay up to date with naval technologies - you don't want to conceptualize a product just for it to be quickly outdated before you can even design it;