Independent Vessel Design Advisory
Your vessel begins long before the first plate of steel is cut. It starts with your vision: where she will sail, how she must perform, and the experience she needs to deliver. Shipwrights.com provides strictly independent design advisory, serving as your advocate to ensure that every hull form, structural detail, and system specification protects your brief, not the shipyard's margin.
Hull Engineering and Efficiency
We bring Computational Fluid Dynamics into the design from the earliest concept stage, testing and refining hull geometry digitally before physical construction begins. This protects your long-term running costs by addressing drag, propeller interaction, and fuel consumption at the drawing board. For a medium-displacement yacht, early-stage hull refinement can reduce lifetime fuel costs by eight to fifteen per cent.
Structural Integrity and Classification
A vessel built to last needs precise structural engineering and full compliance with international classification standards. We will coordinate with IACS member societies, including Lloyd's Register, DNV, Bureau Veritas, ABS, and RINA, managing the plan approval process from initial concept through to the issuance of class certificates.
Finite Element Analysis is used to stress-test critical structural areas, including engine foundations, mast steps, and crane pedestals, verifying that every high-load component meets its design margin before fabrication begins. Flag state regulatory requirements under IMO, SOLAS, and MARPOL are addressed in the design from the outset.
Our Design Capabilities
| Capability | Technical Scope & Standards |
|---|---|
| Hull Form Development | Custom displacement and planing hull forms for private and charter yachts, refined through CFD modelling. |
| Structural Engineering | Structural modelling and Finite Element Analysis to international classification standards. |
| General Arrangement | Layout design balancing luxury accommodation with machinery spaces and deck efficiency. |
| Systems Integration | Specification of propulsion, electrical distribution, HVAC, and safety-critical systems. |
| Regulatory Compliance | Engineering aligned with current IMO, EEDI, SOLAS, and MARPOL requirements from day one. |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Shipwrights.com work with classification societies?
We will coordinate with all major IACS member societies on your behalf, including Lloyd's Register, DNV, Bureau Veritas, ABS, and RINA, managing plan approval and survey coordination from your initial design concepts through to class certification. The choice of society is guided by your vessel's flag state, intended trading area, and your own preference.
How does early hull modelling protect my investment?
By applying Computational Fluid Dynamics at the design stage, we identify and resolve drag and propulsion issues before construction begins. For a medium-displacement yacht, this early-stage refinement typically reduces lifetime fuel expenditure by eight to fifteen per cent compared with standard hull designs. The savings build over the life of the vessel, protecting both running costs and resale value.