Sea trial

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Birth of a Ship
Order Keel Laying Float-out Sea trial Delivery & Commissioning

Sea trial is the testing phase of a watercraft ( including a boats, ships, and submarines). It is usually the last phase of construction and takes place on open water.

"Sea trials" are conducted to measure a vessel’s performance and general seaworthiness. Testing of a vessel’s speed, maneuverability, equipment and safety features are usually conducted. Usually in attendance are technical representatives from the builder, governing and certification officials, and representatives of the owners. Successful sea trials subsequently lead to a vessel’s certification for commissioning and acceptance by its owner.

Although sea trials are commonly thought to be conducted only on new-built vessels (referred by shipbuilders as “builders trials”), they are regularly conducted on commissioned vessels as well. In new vessels, they are used to determine conformance to construction specifications. On commissioned vessels; they are generally used to measure seaworthiness.

Sea trials can last a few hours or many non-consecutive days.

Contents 1 History 2 Noteworthy Sea Trials 3 See also 4 External links 5 References

[edit] History

[edit] Noteworthy Sea Trials

• RMS Lusitania While steaming at high speeds, severe vibration was noted at the stern during her sea trials,. This prompted her builder John Brown & Company to reinforce that area before acceptance by Cunard. ^[1]

• SS Normandie During sea trials, vibration was noted at the ship’s stern. The ship's stern was reinforced, accepted by her owners Compagnie Générale Transatlantique, and continued onto her maiden voyage. The vibration was severe enough to necessitate relocating Tourist Class passengers and some crew members with cabins near the affected area. The problem was subsequently resolved by changing her propellers to four-bladed ones from the original three-bladed ones . ^{[2] [3]}

• Queen Mary 2 Her trials were conducted over two periods, September 25- 29, 2003 and Noember 7- 11, 2003, each lasting four days at sea, shuttling between the islands of Belle-Ile and L'ile d'Yeu off the french coast. On board for each set of trials were 450 people, including engineers, technicians, owner and insurance company representatives, and crew. ^[4]

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] References

1. ^ Ballard Robert F. & Spencer Dunmore (with paintings by Ken Marschall); Exploring the Lusitania: Probing the Mysteries of the Sinking that Changed History; Warner/ Madison Press; 1995; ppg. 22- 23
2. ^ Ballard Robert F. & Rich Archbold (with paintings by Ken Marschall); Lost Liners; ppg 168, 170
3. ^ Braynard, Frank; Picture History of the Normandie; Dover Publications, Inc., 1987; pg. 16-17
4. ^ Plisson, Philip; Queen Mary 2: The Birth of a Legend; Harry N. Abrams, Inc, Publishers; 2004; ppg. 24- 25