What major features are chosen during the preliminary ship design stage?

During the preliminary design stage of naval architecture, the primary objective is to develop feasible and economical designs that fulfill the owner's requirements. At this stage, the naval architect focuses on defining the major features of the vessel, which include:

• Principal Characteristics: The architect selects the ship type, approximate size, and key dimensions, including length, breadth, draft, depth, hull coefficients, and shaft horsepower.12
• Basic Configuration: Combinations of hull type, machinery, and structural materials are chosen to establish parent or basic vessel types.1
• Performance Metrics: Designs are evaluated against requirements for cargo capacity, deadweight, trial speed, sea speed, and cruising range.1
• Design Documentation: Major features are formalized through three primary types of drawings:
  • General arrangement drawings: Showing space and equipment layout in profile and deck plans.1
  • Line drawings: Depicting the external shape of the hull.1
  • Structural arrangement drawings: Embodying midship sections and principal scantlings based on preliminary longitudinal strength calculations.1

These features are refined through weight and buoyancy studies to ensure stability, trim, and performance, often supplemented by model testing to verify resistance and propulsive power.123