DNV’s Nauticus Construction is an IT application which combines Nauticus 3D hull block models of the newbuilding with easy-to-use templates for detailed project control. The hull block models enable the site inspection team to be better prepared, and the various templates linked to the models represent a single point for storing all essential project information.
Shipbuilding at modern yards is normally characterised by a high pace of construction progress. Typically, the complete construction period for a VLCC, from steel cutting to delivery, may be as short as nine months, with the bulk of hull blocks being produced within a span of 23 months. Considering that a VLCC may consist of up to some 600 hull blocks depending on yard standards, each with a number of scheduled inspections (typically 510) throughout the production period, a huge amount of information must be retained by the individual inspectors. In addition, if the project involves the construction of a number of sisterships such that production work on several ships takes place in parallel, then the call for overview and control becomes even more urgent. Though advanced yards with high production volumes also have good internal systems and routines for quality control and project management, most owners find their interests are best served by maintaining a strong presence on site throughout the building period.
Nauticus hull block models
The key to Nauticus Construction is a creative use of the Nauticus 3D Graphic Model, through splitting the model into individual hull blocks as defined in the newbuilding yards block division plan. Each hull block model thus becomes an accurate representation of the actual hull block awaiting the site inspectors scrutiny, complete with detailed information on scantlings and steel grade for all essential structural elements. The block models can be viewed in any direction and by zooming in it is easy to see essential information on structural details.
For the site inspector this access to 3D models of the hull blocks gives an ideal opportunity to familiarise himself with the structure prior to inspection. True, the same information can be extracted from structural drawings. In practical terms, however, this would mean the scrutiny of at least three or four bulky yard drawings and trying to figure out the exact boundaries of the hull blocks.
Simpler user interface
A central feature of the user interface is the established link between the yards hull block division diagram and the individual 3D hull block models. Identification of the hull block models is based on the numbering or identification system used by the yard: simply clicking on the hull block in the block division plan takes the surveyor straight to the corresponding Nauticus 3D block model.
By spending some time ahead of the busy production period to copy different views of the 3D block models and other relevant document extracts into (for example) a Word document, the site inspector will have at his disposal a 1- or 2-page document containing critical and essential information such as:
" 3D overview of structural arrangement seen from different angles
" Scantlings and steel grade for all structural elements
" Comments from plan approval stage, focusing on critical areas
" Extracts from scanned structural drawings with additional comments/highlights if applicable
" Information on minor structural details as described in applicable Yard Standards.
It is, however, essential that such inspection plans are prepared well in advance of the actual inspection period. Normally, all relevant timetables for scheduled milestones and inspections are available from the yards well in advance, so provided the site inspection team is in place early enough the preparation of such inspection documents is straightforward.
Establish and monitor milestones
One of the first tasks is to enter all relevant project milestones into the application. Based on information in the yards production schedule this can be done quite easily and the user can establish as many or as few milestones/due dates as he wants. The established milestones can later be modified to reflect changes in production schedules, or new ones can be added.
An updated overview of milestones will be generated daily, thus highlighting deviations from planned progress. An overall project overview report can be generated at any time.
Essential information can be entered upon completion of each inspection.
Typical entries include:
" Inspection comments. These can be tagged with respect to severity, type of comment and status, thus enabling easy sorting/overview.
" Photos. An unlimited number of digital photos can be stored together with inspection comments for each hull block.
" Other documents. These might include sketches or extracts from drawings or any other relevant document.
The main focus of Nauticus Construction is on structural items and paint inspections. However, the reporting templates used are of a generic nature and can be used for any type of activity and stored under separate folders for outfitting work, NDT results and various other types of test activities. The 3D view models, however, are currently restricted to the hull blocks.
Progress overview
Based on comparison between the progress plan received from the yard and the updated status overview generated by Nauticus Construction it is a simple matter to maintain control and overview of the project progress. All relevant information, from detailed inspection comment status to overall progress, is stored in one place. For large site inspection teams this makes the task of the site team manager more manageable. By having all relevant information accessible in a readily understood format the chance of misunderstandings between the various parties involved is also greatly reduced.
Starting the ships life-cycle database
Following completion, and as the vessel enters service, there may be much information from the newbuilding period an owner wishes to keep for later reference. This can be accomplished by assigning the class notation Nauticus Operation to the vessel. By doing this the global 3D Graphic Model is updated to reflect possible modifications to the structure which may have taken place in the course of building. At the same time, a selection of inspection data from the newbuilding project can be transferred to the updated model, thus forming a baseline for the ships life-cycle database.
Nauticus Construction and Nauticus Operation are available to any type of ship classed by DNV, and the notation Nauticus Operation can be assigned to the vessel at any time.