A floating dry dock, also referred to as a floating dock or a floating graving dock, is a specialized structure used for repairing, maintaining, and constructing ships and other watercraft. It is designed to temporarily remove a vessel from the water, providing a dry and enclosed environment for necessary inspections, repairs, or modifications.
A floating dry dock consists of a large, watertight chamber with multiple compartments and a system of ballast pumps. When the dock is required, ships are positioned within the dock, and the chambers are flooded with water, allowing the dock to sink to a predetermined level. The vessel to be worked on or constructed is then floated into the dock, which is sealed off from the surrounding water.
Once the dock is sealed and secured, pumps are used to remove water from the chambers, gradually lifting the dock and the vessel above the water surface. This process enables easy access to the ship's hull, allowing inspections of the underwater sections or repairs to be carried out without the need for dry docking in a facility on land.
Floating dry docks are commonly used in naval shipyards, repair facilities, and ports worldwide due to their ability to quickly and efficiently handle vessels of various sizes. Their versatility and mobility offer advantages over traditional fixed dry docks, as they can be moved to different locations as required, reducing downtime for maintenance and repairs.
