The National Shipbuilding Research Program, Organizational Innovations in Shipyard Safety
Abstract
PBI is a small non-union marine construction facility employing nearly 1,000 people during peak production. PBI has encouraged and trained employees to be multi-skilled by allowing transfers from trade to trade as the workload demands. This diversely skilled work force enables the company to be unique in its ability to construct ships and support products of wood, steel, aluminum and glass reinforced plastic. Peterson's main yard covers 13 acres and has 2,000 feet of water frontage. It maintains a floating drydock with 1,100 long ton certification, 11 berthing spaces and several 200 ton cranes. Over 61/2 acres are under roof to assure uninterrupted year round construction. Other facilities include climate controlled paint and blast buildings and a thermal spray (metallizing) area. The computers impact on the shipbuilding industry is evident throughout the yard and reflects the company's commitment to employ the latest available technology in the design and construction of vessels. Our Computer Aided Design (CAD) System was one of the first in the United States to be used for the creation of ship construction drawings. Numerically controlled plasma and flame cutting machines, Conrac pipe benders, and Shoda routers, are just a few examples of the innovations that improve accuracy and repeatability, however, the skilled craftsman remains the most important element to quality and profitability. PBI has just successfully completed a contract for four 225 steel United States Navy Rescue/Salvage vessels. They are rugged, fast and durable. Each ship will support a complement of 87 Navy personnel with habitability spaces and medical and storeroom areas all designed to satisfy new updated standard requirements.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA445527
Entities
People
- E. J. Byrnes