Slipway
As the word "slip" implies, the ships or boats are moved over the ramp, by way of crane or fork lift.Prior to the move the vessel's hull is coated with grease, which then allows the ship or boat to "slip" off the ramp and progress safely into the water.In its simplest form, a slipway is a plain ramp, typically made of concrete, steel, stone or even wood.They may be arranged parallel or perpendicular to the shore line (or as nearly so as the water and maximum length of vessel allows).In both cases heavy chains are attached to the ship and the drag effect is used to slow the vessel once afloat until tugboats can move the hull to a jetty for fitting out.Part of the reason is the space requirement for slowing and maneuvering the vessel immediately after it has left the slipway, but the sheer size of the vessel causes design problems, since the hull is basically supported only at its end points during the launch process and this imposes stresses not met during normal operation.
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