Ships in Service

No matter the level of upkeep, vessels require regular reviewing to maintain levels of comfort, safety, and compliance.

The McFarlane ShipDesign Team services yacht management companies as well as individuals,

and we travel anywhere in the world to handle a ship or yacht's services.

Click on a service to learn more, or scroll down to explore them all.

Fire & Safety

Emergency Towing Booklet

General Arrangements

The unit cost per m2 of a yacht or cruise ship is many time more than that of a building, and the unit volume per person on a ship is many times smaller than that of any prestigious hotel or residence. The required balance lies between an optimization of space usage whilst retaining an efficient and appealing vessel which can be profitable if chartered.

The correct layout is the most fundamental part of any design. The path to achieving this, however, is without a map, for each vessel is different. At McFarlane ShipDesign we have complete understanding of how to achieve perfect results, and we are able to guide our client through breakdowns and towards desired end results.

We handle the following challenges: Aesthetics, Naval Architecture, Interior Technical, Engineering, Accommodation.

Technical Specifications

Technical specifications are documents which delineate the project in hand to prospective yards, suppliers, and to the owner.

Technical specifications are sizeable, detailed, and cover everything from structure to systems. Our experience is that technical specifications need to be of the highest, most detailed grade to ensure the desired end product without unecessary price inflation, misunderstandings, or delays.

We produce and send technical specifications all around the world to find the most suitable yard for a particular project. We also create Owner-specific versions so that they may take informed decisions and follow the process of the work at hand in an engaging manner.

Structural Plans

Structure Plans can be described as the skeleton of the ship. This is not deduced but asserted via minute calculations. Having the proper structure on your ship, as well as correct structure plans, is primordial.

Our team of naval architects, engineers and stylists work together with a client's vision to produce the ideal and durable building blocks for any vessel type.

3D Scanning

We view 3D laser scanning technology as a crucial tool in the industry because of its ability to provide millions of data points, and to recreate accurate measurements of any section of a vessel - even obstructed from view.

We use long-range scanning and laser technology in our work and data calculations to ensure accuracy and fit. With it we can offer a wealth of CT services: from hull modifications and reverse engineering to solving onboard issues without invasive procedures, to recreating life-like representations of visible, semi-visible, and non-visible vessel components (engine rooms, valves, hull interior,etc) for simulations.

We can then either draft up solution plans, or execute them immediately.

Systems Design

When onboard systems need fixing or updating. McFarlane ShipDesign is a popular choice. We deal with all systems, and can be on location at a moment's notice.

We propose consultancies, solution plans, as well as onsite investigation and surveying for conceptual, preliminary, detailed analysis and troubleshooting.

Examples of systems:

Propulsion systems; Classic, Diesel Electric or Hybrid
Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC)
Bilge & Fire Fighting
Ballast water treatment
Tank Sounding & Venting
Domestic H&C water systems
Sanitary drainage & Sewage treatment systems

Ship Stability

Give us a call to test the stability level of vessel in various conditions, to provide engineering solutions for boats with safety-related stability issues.

We can also tailor your vessel's stability for comfort reasons, so that it may deliver a smooth and secure-feeling ride.

Services include:

Development of ship hull forms and stability analysis both for intact & damaged stability, including problematic stability
Preparation of stability booklets
Assessment of vessel's stability
Stability book review
Specialist loading conditions, eg. Events and parties
Design and implementation of stability compliance solutions
Weight & stability management plans

McFarlane ShipDesign is always in compliance with the IMO SOLAS, ISO, MCA, ABS, Lloyd's Register, and all other leading regulatory bodies.

Lightship Surveys

Increasingly, we notice flag states paying more attention to the SOLAS requirement for a lightship survey every 5 years. The tolerance for variation in lightship is small; should a vessel fail its lightship survey, an inclination test is required.

In performing a lightship survey, we advise the crew on how to best prepare the vessel & meticulously survey the vessel in order to correctly estimate the weight of items which may be deducted (deadweight) combined with a survey of the vessel's draft. This allows us to accurately determine the lightship weight.

Incline Test

One of the more iconic real-life tests of naval architecture; a process where we test the ship's stability measurement of the heeling response of the ship to the addition of weight and the movement of weight from one side to the other.

By calculation of the heel response to a given heeling movement, we are able to calculate the position of the ship's center of gravity.

Fire & Safety

IMO regulations II-2/20 and III/9 of SOLAS and IMO resolutions A.654(16) and A.760(18) state the mandatory compliance of all ships regarding the fire control & safety plans.

The services include:

Development of complete plans
Structural fire Protection or Means of Escape & Lifesaving
Inspection of vessel and of vessel's hard copy plans
Preparation of safety procedures & tailored plans
Implementation of required printed material onboard
Printing of booklets in full color & comprehensible style
Submission of plans to Class & Flag for approval

Emergency Towing Booklet

The stressful situation of the need for an emergency tow can be dealt with in a safe and orderly way, by good preparation. These obligatory and personalized documents contain all the information and procedures needed in case of an emergency towing situations such as drawings of fore and aft decks mooring arrangements, strength calculation, Towing bridle design, inventory of equipment, and a communication plan listing all information that is required to be communicated during the towing operation.

Our services include; survey, document preparation and submission to class.

Project Management

Our project management skills for bespoke projects around the world are unparalleled, and trusted by companies and individuals alike.

For a presentation of our work, please get in touch.

Class & Flag Approval

Rules, regulations, Class Societies and Flags are our expertise. We ensure that all of our designs are class approved, and additionally offer a complete service of ship inspection, assessment and execution of necessary procedures in order for the vessel to gain its necessary approvals.

We additionally offer ongoing management of plan approvals for exploration vessels, or shipyards & management companies.

All vessels—from tall or sailing ships to motor yachts, expedition ships, merchant ships, and cruise liners—can be regulated with us.