Naval Architect Spotlight

Offshore oil and gas platforms are some of the most challenging work sites in the oil and gas industry. Any exploration or production activities that take place in water require specialized marine vessels and installations. A Naval Architect is the person behind these specializations. They plan and manage all aspects from the concept through to the delivery of the final product.

What a typical day looks like:

Similar to architects who design the skyscrapers in our largest cities, Naval Architects are designers who are focused on building offshore structures, platforms, ships, and tankers for the oil and gas industry. They create safe and functional structures that also can function in or float on the world’s oceans.

To start their process, Naval Architects will work closely with operations teams and management to gather information about what their company needs. Then they develop a concept to meet those needs. They create plans, draft designs, create construction blueprints with clear specifications and special provisions required to keep the vessel safe in everchanging water and weather conditions. These plans also need to meet all regulatory and environmental requirements, and construction certifications.

Their job isn’t done when the plans are completed. Naval Architects also oversee and even help with the building process. They will also perform ongoing technical design reviews and provide informed recommendations for repair and maintenance schedules once a vessel is built to make sure that everything remains safe.

The kinds of problems Naval Architects solve at work:

Naval Architects are faced with the difficult task of designing and building vessels that can float and thrive in unpredictable ocean waters. They analyze and inspect data and create designs based on the most accurate information they have. They are also actively involved in the building and testing process. This helps them quickly and accurately catch and correct any problems during the construction and highlight any potential issues for future maintenance and repair schedules.

Skills used most on the job:

A Naval Architect manages every step from concept to design to construction. They are logical and creative individuals who also have strong communication skills with people of varied professions. They can also see the big picture while also having strong attention to details.