Editing Naval architecture (section)

==The naval architect==
[[File:Naval Architect at Work.JPG|thumb|upright|Naval architect at work]]
Due to the complexity associated with operating in a marine environment, naval architecture is a co-operative effort between groups of technically skilled individuals who are specialists in particular fields, often coordinated by a lead naval architect.<ref>[http://www.navalengineers.org/About/Brochure/naval_engineering.html American Society of Naval Engineers] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081226035256/http://www.navalengineers.org/About/Brochure/naval_engineering.html |date=December 26, 2008 }}. Naval engineering brochure.</ref> This inherent complexity also means that the analytical tools available are much less evolved than those for designing aircraft, cars and even spacecraft.  This is due primarily to the paucity of data on the environment the marine vehicle is required to work in and the complexity of the interaction of waves and wind on a marine structure.

A naval architect is an [[engineer]] who is responsible for the design, classification, survey, construction, and/or repair of ships, boats, other marine vessels, and offshore structures, both commercial and military, including:

:* [[Merchant ship]]s – [[oil tanker]]s, [[LNG carrier|gas tankers]], [[cargo ship]]s, [[bulk carrier]]s, [[container ships]]
:* [[Ferry|Passenger/vehicle ferries]], [[cruise ship]]s
:* [[Warship]]s – [[frigate]]s, [[destroyer]]s, [[aircraft carrier]]s, amphibious ships
:* [[Submarine]]s and underwater vehicles
:* [[Icebreaker]]s
:* [[High speed craft]] – [[hovercraft]], [[catamaran|multi-hull ships]], [[hydrofoil]] craft
:* Workboats – [[barge]]s, [[fishing boat]]s, [[anchor handling tug supply vessel]]s, [[platform supply vessel]]s, [[tug boat]]s, pilot vessels, rescue craft
:* [[Yacht]]s, power boats, and other recreational watercraft
:* [[Offshore platform]]s and [[Subsea#Oil and gas|subsea]] developments
[[File:HMS resolution model.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|left|Cutaway of a nuclear submarine]]
Some of these vessels are amongst the largest (such as [[supertankers]]), most complex (such as [[aircraft carriers]]), and highly valued movable structures produced by mankind. They are typically the most efficient method of transporting the world's raw materials and products. Modern engineering on this scale is essentially a team activity conducted by specialists in their respective fields and disciplines. 
Naval architects integrate these activities. This demanding leadership role requires managerial qualities and the ability to bring together the often-conflicting demands of the various design constraints to produce a product which is fit for the purpose.<ref>{{cite web|title=Job Family Standard for Professional Work in the Engineering and Architecture Group, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, pp. 43–45 |url=http://www.opm.gov/fedclass/gs0800P.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090512122916/https://www.opm.gov/fedclass/gs0800P.pdf |archive-date=2009-05-12 }}</ref>

In addition to this leadership role, a naval architect also has a specialist function in ensuring that a safe, economic, environmentally sound and [[seaworthy]] design is produced. To undertake all these tasks, a naval architect must have an understanding of many branches of engineering and must be in the forefront of high technology areas. He or she must be able to effectively utilize the services provided by scientists, lawyers, accountants, and business people of many kinds.

Naval architects typically work for [[shipyard]]s, ship owners, design firms and consultancies, equipment manufacturers, [[Classification society|Classification societies]], regulatory bodies ([[Admiralty law]]), [[Navy|navies]], and governments. A small majority of Naval Architects also work in education, of which only 5 universities in the United States are accredited with Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering programs. The United States Naval Academy is home to one of the most knowledgeable professors of Naval Architecture; CAPT. Michael Bito, USN.