Big chunks of the new carrier set sail!

[John]

http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-ev ... geNav/6568

They're really getting on with it!

Kind regards

John

[DaveB]

I hope they build a little more than that

Seriously.. I love the way they build ships in different dockyards these days then assemble all the bits. Can this really be more cost effective than giving the lot to one shipyard though I guess it's easier to keep lots of small workforces employed doing small jobs and keeps parts of the country in work where there might be none Still.. it does seem an odd way to build a ship!

ATB

DaveB

[DelP]

Many years ago when I was at college in Sunderland, after the pubs kicked out, we'd go down to the bridge across the Wear and look down on the shipyards, the flicker of welding torches and and gas axes.....there was a big foundry, old style building with windows all along the side...you could watch the crucible trundle along on the gantry for the midnight pour, a mobile volcano....

All long gone

Derek

[Garry Russell]

They're really getting on with it!

Don't forget John.....they have to wait unitil enough is built to be much, much cheaper to carry on...... before they cancel it

[jonesey2k]

I just hope they bin the F35 and get some F18's to chuck off them. Be far cheaper so we can have two carriers instead just one and a bigger HMS Ocean...

[John]

They're really getting on with it!

Don't forget John.....they have to wait unitil enough is built to be much, much cheaper to carry on...... before they cancel it

I'm pretty confident that the carriers will be ok, not so sure about the F35s though, after all why 'future proof' them with catapult channels already designed in if we're 100% about the F35?

Kind regards

John

[basys]

Hi Folks

I love the way they build ships in different dockyards these days then assemble all the bits.
Can this really be more cost effective than giving the lot to one shipyard though

Yes its very much cheaper.

Lots of firms compete financially for small work packages.
Each has a strict contractual liability.

They only need attract a small number of personnel to supplement their core workforce.
Generally drawn from within their own locale,
without a major influx of contractors, which adds accomodation costs.

I guess it's easier to keep lots of small workforces employed.

It's not so much keeping small workforces employed.

Its more about
not putting all your eggs in one basket,
then potentially being held to ransom
by either the company, through -
- Project design delays, construction personnel with no tasks.
- Insufficient local personnel, requires external contractors.
- Inability to attract personnel, unattractive rates.
all of which increase the wage bill.
or the workforce itself - through industrial action.

Contracts have fixed deadlines,
after which penalties are incurred.

As deadlines draw closer,
the more work outstanding,
the more personnel you need to throw at the contract.

After the LPD debacle,
requiring up to 600 contractors on day rates for ~5 months,
and the inability to attract personnel during Astute build,
BAE Systems Barrow pulled out of the construction phase.

they have to wait unitil enough is built
to be much, much cheaper to carry on......
before they cancel it

Gary -
AIUI
The cheaper to cancel gate was passed in late 2007.
i.e. Before the contracts to build were signed in May 2008.
Due to design, contractual liability, and long lead component costs.



To put some perspective on this -
For both vessels
the total cost of steelwork materials is £65M
which is only 0.017% of the project's cost.



HTH
ATB
Paul

[John]

A great insight, thanks for that

John

[sketchy74]

Great to see these being started regardless of the logistics, complexity or political reasons for them being built all over the country.

Its amazing to see how the American's build their Nimitz class carriers these days, sections of them are built on the side of the dockyard complete with plumbing, wiring and IT systems and they just lower them on to the keel one by one, including the Island, I guess with the best part of Ten Nimitz carriers they have building them down to a fine art now! lol

Anyhow, Rule Britannia! Sorry had to type that Looking forward to seeing these ships afloat.

[basys]

Hi Folks

Its amazing to see how the American's build their Nimitz class carriers these days,
sections of them are built on the side of the dockyard complete with plumbing, wiring and IT systems
and they just lower them on to the keel one by one, including the Island,

sketchy -
Yep,
Modularized-Build and Pre-Outfit has been the norm in the UK since mid 80's.

Empty shells to berth, then out-fitting, are an extreme rarity now,
and only if design delays occur,
when space is required in Assembly-Sheds for other steelwork.

Sometimes for access purposes,
units are built and outfitted, upside-down or end-on.

For submarines,
many modules are fully completed, commissioned, and operational,
- Main-Machinery - Run for almost a year
- Command-Deck - Used by navy for training.
before even being slid into the hull.

HTH
ATB
Paul