About this career
Shipwrights build and repair small type of water vessels from pleasure craft to naval vessels. They prepare preliminary sketches and create templates. They use hand and power tools to construct smaller boat themselves or supervise a team of shipbuilders. They also construct cradles and slipways for the ship’s construction, transportation, launching and slipping. Depending on the vessels, they might work with different materials such as metal, wood, fibreglass, aluminium etc.
Essential skills
adjust engineering designs
align components
apply health and safety standards
ensure vessel compliance with regulations
fasten components
liaise with engineers
prepare pieces for joining
read engineering drawings
read standard blueprints
use caulking tools
use power tools
wear appropriate protective gear
Required knowledge
design drawings
engineering principles
engineering processes
mechanics
mechanics of vessels
Additional skills
apply preliminary treatment to workpieces
assemble mechatronic units
assemble sensors
construct moulds
cut metal products
design prototypes
determine suitability of materials
install automation components
install mechatronic equipment
lead a team
maintain robotic equipment
manipulate wood
operate 3D computer graphics software
operate drilling equipment
operate handheld riveting equipment
operate lifting equipment
operate precision measuring equipment
operate printing machinery
operate welding equipment
program a CNC controller
sand wood
set up automotive robot
tend riveting machine
test mechatronic units
test sensors
use CAD software
use painting equipment
use technical drawing software
3D modelling
3D printing process
automation technology
CAD software
CAE software
control engineering
cutting technologies
defense system
fibreglass laminating
ICT software specifications
industrial paint
maintenance of printing machines
maintenance operations
material mechanics
mechatronics
metal forming technologies
physical parts of the vessel
printing materials
printing on large scale machines
printing techniques
rivet types
robotic components
robotics
sanding techniques
sensors
types of maritime vessels
types of metal
types of wood
Also known as
naval vessel shipwright
shipfitter
boatbuilder
ship repair engineer
boatfitter
submarine shipwright
ship fitter
boat builder
boat repairer
shipbuilder
ship construction worker
ship builder
boat construction worker
ship repairer
boat repair engineer
boat fitter
naval engineer/shipwright
