Like automobiles, boats, yachts, and other vessels need routine maintenance and repairs to ensure smooth functioning. However, this doesn’t mean you need to hire technicians in a scuba diving kit to inspect for damage from under the water. Instead, your vessel needs to be brought out of the water and placed on a dry dock. Drydocking is the equivalent of raising a vehicle using a hydraulic car lift found in workshops, and this process is used during periodic watercraft repairs and maintenance.
In this post, we’ll share a brief history of dry docking and share the most important uses of dry docks. Read on to learn more!
A Brief History of Dry Docking
According to historical records, dry docks have been around since the 10th Century AD in China and were first used to repair two dragon boats. The locals excavated a basin in a lake and placed beams on pillars to pull the boat in. Once the repairs were done, the process was reversed, and the basin was filled with water again so the boat would float again. In the 14th and 15th centuries, Henry VII commissioned the first British dry dock in Europe in Portsmouth for commissioned warships. Over the next couple of centuries, several dry docks were built along the Thames to maintain trade, transport, and warships. However, it wasn’t until the second world war that dry docking became fully mechanical and could be set anywhere to allow ships to be repaired and refitted.
The Most Important Uses of Dry Docks
The essential function of a dry dock is to allow the movement of vessels onto the water either by pulling them onto land mechanically or using a pump to displace water from the port. Under normal circumstances, technicians can only access a ship’s inner compartments and components for repair and maintenance. Dry porting allows them to access the portion of the vessel that lies beneath the water without submerging. Dry docks solve this problem and make it possible to carry out cosmetic repairs, engine maintenance, and other repairs on land.
The following are the best uses of dry docks:
- Ships husbandry (including cleaning, painting, and general upkeep)
- Hull, keel, and bridge repairs following an accident
- Technical inspection and repairs of thrusters and engines
- Anode protection replacement
- Steering gear repairs (hydraulic and electrical)
- Gangways repairs and replacement
- Vibro-diagnostics
Need a Custom Dry Port in Manitoba? Call Nor Col EZ Dock Today!
And there you have it – everything you need to know about dry docking and the best uses of dry docks. If you’re looking to invest in a dock for residential, commercial, or industrial purposes, Nor Col EZ Dock can help you design a custom dock with durable, long-lasting dock accessories, such as hauling machinery, roller systems, and wheels, storage boxes, bumpers, and lighting, etc. For more information regarding our products and services, feel free to call (800) 654-8168.
