Dry docking preparation involves two distinct discussions: whether the vessel and its intended condition can be considered by the facility, and what date range can be considered for the requested work. An initial enquiry should bring together the vessel data and scope needed to discuss both.

Gisan Shipyard’s dry docking services support repair and maintenance requiring access to the underwater hull and associated equipment. This guide focuses on preparing for an initial technical discussion.

Separate the service from the facility type

Dry docking describes the operation or service context; a floating dock describes a facility type. Gisan’s published docking scope refers to floating-dock infrastructure. That wording should not be read as a statement of graving-dock ownership.

Rather than relying on a facility name or a historical capacity figure, describe the vessel’s intended condition and the work you are requesting.

Prepare a consistent vessel-data set

Identify the vessel by name or IMO number and type. Provide the following information where available, preserving the condition, units and document references behind it:

  • Length overall (LOA) and beam, including any note on how the measurement is defined
  • Draught information for the intended docking condition
  • Displacement for that same condition and its supporting document
  • Available information on the intended cargo, ballast and fuel condition
  • Docking plan and revision, if available
  • Preferred date range, known operational constraints and a technical contact

Do not combine data from different loading conditions as though it described one condition. State whether a figure relates to the intended docking condition or a current voyage. Keep missing or unconfirmed particulars visible.

Keep DWT separate from displacement

DWT concerns carrying capacity, not displacement for the intended docking condition. A dock’s lifting limit is a separate facility parameter and cannot be inferred from the vessel’s DWT. The terminology is grounded in the IMO definition of deadweight.

Prepare draught and displacement information for the same condition when discussing suitability. This guide supplies no acceptance formula, lifting calculation or current Gisan limit.

Attach the available docking plan

Include the current docking plan, if available, with its date and revision. Its hull-form and support-arrangement context goes beyond principal dimensions alone; the Turkish Ministry of Education maintenance module describes the plan in that context. Flag a missing plan or uncertain revision status.

The initial submission communicates existing information. It is not a new blocking plan or an engineering assessment of the docking operation. Drawing suitability and responsibilities need separate technical clarification.

Build the underwater work scope

List planned inspection and repair items by location, available findings and requested intervention. Where hull-surface or coating work is being considered, attach available photographs and reports and identify the areas you can describe. Do not assume a method or technical limit.

  • Steel items: location, measurement/inspection records, known material and dimensions
  • Shaft/propeller and related mechanical items: equipment, findings and requested intervention
  • Pipe/valve items: relevant circuit, component and access information
  • Inspection-dependent items: quantities or interventions that remain unconfirmed

Where the work list includes steel interventions, review steel and structural works. For shaft, propeller or associated equipment work, use the machinery services scope. If the planned work extends to a circuit or valve item, refer to piping systems.

State survey inputs and responsibility questions

Reference available survey findings, reports and photographs against work items. Include any requirements already communicated by the owner or class. Requesting an inspection, test or document does not establish Gisan’s approval authority or contractual responsibility for it.

Confirm the applicable survey scope and dates from the vessel’s relevant records. Do not assume one docking interval or a standard inspection and handover workflow applies to every vessel.

Confirm suitability and schedule separately

A preferred date range is not a confirmed dock booking. Vessel suitability and the proposed timing require separate confirmation. Supplying dimensions or displacement does not by itself guarantee acceptance, availability, price or project duration.

Share the information for a docking discussion

Share the vessel particulars, available dimensions and displacement for the intended condition, any docking plan and your work list through Gisan Shipyard’s contact page. Include the preferred date range and technical questions that remain open.