Required Ship Parameters When Using Marine Airbags

Why Do Ship Parameters Matter in Marine Airbags Launching?

Imagine you’re launching a 10,000-ton bulk carrier using marine airbags. You roll out the airbags, position them carefully, start the winch—and suddenly the ship tilts, shifts off course, or stops moving entirely. What went wrong? Nine times out of ten, the cause is poor or missing ship data. When launching large vessels using airbags, knowing exact ship parameters is not optional. It’s the foundation of safety, efficiency, and success.

Whether you’re working with fishing trawlers or container ships, accurate measurements allow airbag experts to calculate how many airbags are needed, their exact placement, internal pressure, and rolling path. Without these parameters, you’re guessing, and guesswork can lead to disaster.

Essential Ship Parameters for Marine Airbags Launching

To use marine airbags safely and effectively, shipyards must prepare a detailed list of ship specifications. Key parameters include:

• Length Between Perpendiculars (LBP): Used to determine the overall layout of airbags along the ship’s hull.
• Beam (Maximum Width): Dictates how airbags are arranged crosswise and affects lateral stability.
• Weight at Launch (Displacement): Critical for calculating the number, size, and pressure of airbags required.
• Draft at Bow and Stern During Launch: Helps define the initial position of the ship and influence slope and buoyancy calculations.
• Center of Gravity Position: Ensures the ship rolls evenly during launch without tilting or shifting.
• General Arrangement Plan: Used to understand bulkhead positions, structural reinforcements, and access points.
• Lines Plan: Offers a detailed 3D shape of the hull necessary for modeling support and contact points.
• Bonjean Curves: Used to compute displacement and stability throughout the launch process.
• Hydrostatic Table: Provides values for buoyancy, draft, waterplane area, and other hydrodynamic behaviors.

These parameters form the foundation of the airbag launching plan, especially for large vessels. Without them, precise calculation is impossible.

How to Gather These Parameters Before Launching

• Shipyard Design Documents: Typically contain general arrangement plans, lines plans, and weight details.
• On-site Surveys: Draft and weight may need to be remeasured before the actual launch.
• Consult Naval Architects: For Bonjean curves or center of gravity if not already calculated.
• Partner with Specialists: Reputable airbag suppliers like NANHAI can assist in reviewing these parameters and advising on corrections.

Make Your Launch Safe and Seamless with NANHAI

Ship launching is a once-in-a-lifetime event for most vessels—you don’t get a second chance. At NANHAI, we help shipyards worldwide prepare the right data, select the proper airbags, and execute launches with confidence.

📩 Contact us today with your vessel drawings and weight specs. Let’s make your next launch smooth, safe, and cost-effective.

FAQ

What are the basic ship parameters required for airbag launching?
You need dimensions like length, beam, draft, launch weight, and center of gravity.

Can I use marine airbags for large ships?
Yes, but you must provide detailed ship data including Bonjean curves and hydrostatic tables.

Why is the center of gravity important in ship launching?
It affects balance and stability; incorrect positioning can lead to tilting or structural damage.

How many airbags do I need for my ship?
This depends on the ship’s weight, length, and hull shape—all derived from your provided parameters.

Are Bonjean curves and hydrostatic tables necessary?
For large vessels, yes. These are used to analyze buoyancy and structural forces during launch.