Dry docks are structures used for ship construction, maintenance and repair. They can be flooded with water to allow boats to sail in and then drained to expose the entire body of the boat for maintenance. There are two types of dry docks: one is connected to a port or body of water and the other is a floating dry dock. The positioning of the ship is crucial and blocks are used to support the ship’s weight. Some dry docks are covered for work in all weathers and to create a safe area for working on sensitive ships.
A dry dock is a structure used in the construction, maintenance and repair of ships and boats. It is constructed in such a way that it can be filled with water to allow a boat to sail, and then drained, leaving the entire body of the boat exposed so that it can be worked on. Most shipyards have at least one dry dock, and some are extremely large to accommodate massive ships in need of repair work. An expert team of boatbuilders and repair personnel work on the vessel while it is in dry dock, then flood the area so it can be returned to open water and active use.
There are two common types of dry dock. The former has been used since ancient times, with writings from Ancient Greece and Egypt suggesting that these types were in active use. The area is connected to a port or body of water with the use of doors or caissons to separate the main body of water from the structure. The land in the area is dug up and supported so that it does not collapse, and the bottom is lined. The dry dock is flooded to allow a ship to sail and is then drained with the use of pumps.
The second type, a floating drydock, has also been used for hundreds of years in various forms. It has a series of chambers that can be filled with water to sink it, or drained and filled with air to raise the drydock, along with a ship that has been placed inside. This type of structure can be used in the open ocean for emergency repairs, and can also be sailed to locations around the world, making them very flexible and useful repair tools.
The positioning of a ship in dry dock is crucial. Blocks must be lined up along the bottom, or keel, of the ship to support it, and others are placed along the sides to prevent the ship from appearing in one direction or the other. The crew works from blueprints to ensure the ship’s weight is supported without causing undue stress on the hull, and divers are often used to perfectly position the ship while dry dock is drained. Once the ship has been positioned and the area drained, work can begin. Some dry docks are also covered, to allow for work in all weathers and to create a safe area for working on sensitive ships, such as submarines.
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