In whatever directory of shipyards you look up, you will find that wherever you go, safety is a key factor at each site that you visit. Shipyards by nature have hazardous working conditions that require skilled workers who care enough to pay attention to what they are doing both for their safety as well as for the safety of those around them.

That same shipyard directory should show you that this country has a wide variety of ship repair yards, dockyards, naval shipyards and more, all of which require the same level of diligence to keep everyone safe. The level of training that everyone receives may differ greatly, but safety should be everyone's golden rule.

To find out more about shipyards education and training:

1. Learn about employment and safety on shipyards.

2. Purchase shipyards education and training materials.

3. Keep up with the latest shipyard info and news.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find resource information on shipyards safety and employment

Make the most of government and affiliation resources on shipyard industry safety information. Follow along on the risks of employment, and find out what you can do to make your shipyard a safer working environment.

I recommend: Take advantage of the U. S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Products, Information and Guidance for the Shipyard Employment Industry. Their site covers a number of resources including eTools, shipyard fatality videos, abrasive blasting hazards in shipyard employment, Safety and Health Injury Prevention Sheets (SHIPS) and more. Take advantage of the shipyard safety information from The Society for Protective Coatings. They offer a collection of resources documents as well as safety alliance information.

Purchase shipyards education and training materials for your staff

Invest in shipyards educational training materials for you and your staff. Find out about training and apprentice programs to improve skills and bolster your credentials.

I recommend: Purchase Digital Squared video and training materials for employee training in the shipyard industry. Training materials cover such topics as equipment, housekeeping, safety, emergencies, hazardous materials, policies, the environment and more. They also have Spanish language versions available as well. Find out about the Shipyard Apprentice Program and Worker Skills Progression Programs available at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Their courses cover the following trades: coating and coverings, electrical and electronics, lifting and handling, mechanical, structural and inspection.

Keep up with dockyard and navy shipyards news and information

Stay up-to-date on the most current information on shipyards news, rules and regulations. By staying ahead of the curve you can keep a vigilant eye out for any potential hazard.

I recommend: Find out the latest Shipping Safety and Accidents News from Shipping & Logistics Industry Today. Follow the shipyard headlines from World News.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Threats to the safety of shipyards don't just come from inexperience and lack of attention. Safety threats also come from outside sources, including terrorism threats, so working closely with local, state and federal law enforcement both proactively and reactively will help you identify potential issues as well as to react quickly in case of danger.

Shipyards can be used by any business that maintains any number of mid-size to large ships. Whether you need a shipyard to build a vessel or a dockyard to repair and maintain vessels, it is extremely useful to know your options when it comes to shipyards.

A directory of shipyards can help you find a shipyard close to your location. Shipyards are, of course, located in coastal regions, with several available in any major port. In the US, most shipyards are privately-owned and have a great deal of specialization in their work. The only public US shipyards are owned by the Navy and focus on naval work. The situation can be different in Europe and Asia, so local conditions need to be researched for those regions.

Keep in mind the following when looking for shipyard info:

1. Know in advance what kind of shipyard your business will need.

2. Find shipyards and dockyards that specialize in the right type and size ship for your needs.

3. Keep in mind regional differences in the shipyard industry.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use a directory of shipyards to find a shipyard in your area

Location is of primary importance when choosing the right shipyard to use. By using a directory of shipyards and dockyards, you can build a list of shipyards in your area and choose between them.

I recommend: NauticX.com offers a shipyard directory for information about worldwide shipyards. 20th Century Ocean Liners offers a phone book-style shipyard directory with locations around the world. MarineLog.com offers an extensive list of US shipyards along with their contact info and specializations.

Check out shipyards run by private companies

Many large manufacturing corporations run their own shipyards and give useful shipyard info on policies and products.

I recommend: Kawasaki Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering maintains two shipyards in Japan where their products are manufactured. Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. offers a great deal of information about their operation on the company website. The Philadelphia Shipyard, formerly a Navy shipyard, is looking for private companies to work in the shipyard. Victoria Shipyards, the largest capacity shipyard on the North American west coast, offers shipyard info. Bollinger Shipyards operates shipyards all along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.

Find naval shipyards in your geographic area

Several Navy shipyards are located around the country, and the specific locations can be found using the Internet.

I recommend: The main Navy shipyards are located in Norfolk, Pearl Harbor, Portsmouth and Puget Sound. The Puget Sound location is part of the larger Pacific operation group of the Navy that encompasses several sites and detachments. Keep in mind that information about naval shipyards is controlled by the military and can be limited.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When looking for shipyards, make sure your shipyard deals with the right kind of shipbuilding and repair for your needs.

Shipyards produce seagoing vessels of all shapes and sizes. Some build barges for the shipping industry, while others craft battleships and small tactical vessels for the Navy. Along with this diversity comes a specialized vocabulary of shipbuilding terms, and you can benefit from understanding them. Whether you're looking for a job or are ordering a boat for your business, knowing these terms can help you navigate the process as smoothly as possible.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Machining

Machining is the industrial process shipyards use to manufacture custom components for boats. Using specialized (and often very expensive) equipment, shipbuilders can fabricate all sorts of nautical parts, from propeller shafts and rudders to pistons and chemical pumps. Shipyards can also use machining to repair and modify existing components.

I recommend: Learn more about machining by reviewing the services offered by Bollinger Shipyards, which runs a handful of machine shops that can build and repair parts for a range of different ships.

Drydock,dry dock

In order to repair the hull of a ship or to build one from scratch, shipyards must have a drydock. Somewhat like the locks of a canal, a shipyard can drain a drydock of its water so that the boat inside it comes to a rest on a platform. This allows workers to access the different parts of the vessel's hull, including its propeller, keel and rudder.

I recommend: View photos of ships in drydock at Seward Ships.

Pitchometer

A pitchometer is a tool engineers use to measure the pitch, or angle, of propellers. Using one to accurately measure a propeller can take hours, but new computerized versions have made the process much more efficient.

I recommend: Coastal Prop Technology has posted a nice explanation of the pitchometer and its newer variants. PropScan also explains some of the problems that can arise when a shipyard doesn't properly pitch a propeller.

Standpipe

A standpipe is a system that uses hose connections and piping to supply water to fire hoses and sprinklers. Considering the volatility of certain building supplies, such as fuels, gas canisters and other ship components, standpipes and general fire safety are extremely important to shipyard operations.

I recommend: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published a thorough glossary of shipyard-related safety terms that contains information on standpipes and standpipe operators.

Rigging

In nautical terminology, rigging refers to the sails, cables and pulleys used to catch wind on a sailboat. At a shipyard, however, rigging more generally refers to any wires, cables and lines that are used on-board the vessel. Examples of rigging include towlines and lifting devices.

I recommend: Builders such as the Vancouver Shipyard often devote entire sections of their facilities to rigging repair and construction.

NAVSEA

The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) overseas the rules and regulations for U.S. shipyards, especially for facilities working on U.S. military vessels.

I recommend: Learn more about the NAVSEA, including its mission, at GlobalSecurity.org.

Shipyards can be very dangerous areas with all the heavy equipment and so many tasks going on at the same time. Proper safety procedures need to be followed at all times to prevent injury and avoid any catastrophic equipment malfunctions. Utilize safety checklists, equipment checklists or shipyard training to keep everyone safe.

Find safety shipyard info online through industry leader websites. Many shipyard safety guidelines and procedural safety checklists can be found online. Most are general safety information sheets that you'll need to customize to fit your shipyard needs. Start by:

1. Following commercial or naval shipyards government safety guidelines.

2. Keeping equipment running properly and safely.

3. Educating your employees about proper shipyard safety.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Follow standard shipyard safety procedures

Standards in shipyard safety procedures should be followed including government Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)guidelines. Finding standards to follow online isn't difficult; just make sure you use up-to-date standards that meet all government requirements. Choose customized standards for different areas of your shipyard from the loading docks to the front office.

I recommend: Get information about worldwide shipyards and safety precautions that need to be followed to meet OSHA standards at their website. Purchase the "Environmental Compliance Inspection Checklist for Shipbuilding Facilities" to make sure you are meeting all government regulations.

Keep equipment running properly by following general and navy shipyards equipment safety tips

Use safety checklists and regulation information for all types of shipyard equipment from full-body harnesses to personal flotation devices. Make sure your employees are wearing proper eye protection, using fire extinguishers correctly and working with other potentially dangerous equipment properly.

I recommend: Use a shipyard directory to find information posted by other shipyards and safety organizations. The Fabricator.com provides a helpful article on shipyard safety that includes equipment safety information. The Transportation Library also includes information to use when reviewing shipyard equipment safety.

Get your employees trained in proper shipyards safety

Follow information provided by online courses or training seminars available through a directory of shipyards and online resources. Whether you want to train new employees in proper shipyard safety procedures or give your current workers a refresher course in safety there are several options. Look for in-house training providers, low cost seminars or online courses for your workers.

I recommend: The Shipyard Safety Group offers customized training options for shipyard safety. Check out the directory at NTUC Learning Hub for many other shipyard safety training options.