This is where it all begins for the thousands of commercial vessels that do vital work in transporting people and goods, and undertaking specialist roles such as fishing, pipe laying and offhshore wind farm support. 

Every vessel starts off with a design. The more complex vessels require a naval architect to complete a design and costing for the vessel, just like building a house or commercial building.

Once the design is agreed the boatbuilders get underway. Today boatbuilding uses the latest computer technology but it's based on hundreds of years of expertise in how to craft the best vessels for going to sea to work.

Once the vessel is built the owner has to make sure the vessel stays fit to go to sea. Marine surveyors do the job of inspecting vessels to check they are good to put to sea again.

Here you will find information on becoming a Naval Architect, follow the links for information on becoming a boatbuilder or marine surveyor.

Role

A Naval Architect is a professional engineer who is responsible for the design, construction and repair of ships, boats, other marine vessels and offshore structures, both civil and military, including:

Merchant ships - Oil/Gas Tankers, Cargo Ships, Cruise Liners, etc
Passenger/Vehicle Ferries
Warships - Frigates, Destroyers, Aircraft Carriers, Amphibious Ships, etc
Submarines and underwater vehicles
Offshore Drilling Platforms, Semi Submersibles, FPSOs
High Speed Craft - Hovercraft, Multi-Hull Ships, Hydrofoil Craft, etc
Workboats - Crew Transfer Vessel, Fishing Vessels, Tugs, Pilot Vessels, Rescue Craft etc
Yachts, Power Boats and other recreational craft  
 

Qualifications and Training

Most naval architects have a degree or postgraduate qualification that is recognised by the Royal Institution of Naval Architects. This would usually be an engineering subject like:
Naval architecture
Ocean, offshore or marine engineering
Ship science

University
You may be able to get onto a degree course if you've got qualifications from working as an engineering technician.

Degree courses that offer practical work experience through a year in industry, summer placements or internships may give you an advantage. 

Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths and physics

Salary Brackets

Starting salary around £25,000 - £65,000 with experience

Colleges/Universities

University of Southampton
https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/maritime-engineering-science-naval-architecture-masters-msc

University College London
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught-degrees/naval-architecture-msc

Strathclyde University
https://www.strath.ac.uk/courses/postgraduatetaught/advancednavalarchitecture/

Newcastle University
https://www.ncl.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees/h508/