Marine Rubber Air Bag (Ship Launching Airbag)
FLORESCENCE marine rubber air bags are heavy-duty, flexible, reusable rubber rollers designed for ship launching, hauling out, and heavy load transfer. Constructed with multiple high-tensile synthetic-tire-cord layers and premium natural rubber, they provide a cost-effective, versatile, and safe alternative to traditional rigid slipways – ideal for vessels up to 100,000 DWT.
Product Introduction
Marine Rubber Airbags are specialized heavy-duty rubber rollers used for ship launching, hauling out, and heavy lifting. Unlike traditional rigid slipways, these flexible airbags are constructed from multiple layers of heavy-duty synthetic-tire-cord and premium natural rubber. They provide a cost-effective, versatile, and safe method for moving vessels and heavy structures across various terrains.
Operating Procedure
1 All obstacles shall be cleared along the way of the air bags, including the ship bottom.
2 The bow of the ship shall be tied to the windlass with mooring steel wire ropes. One end of steel wire rope shall be tied to the strengmember of the ship such as a bollard or a special horn, the
other end shall be tied to the pulley set of the towing system.
3 According to the planning of 6.2, air bags shall be placed underneath the ship.
4 The air bags are to be filled from the stern to the bow. Initially, the air bags are not to be fully
inflated. Having inflated all air bags and ensured that they made contact with the ship's bottom, the airbags shall be filled to the specified pressure.
5 When the ship bottom is lifted higher than the docking blocks and the air bags are bearing the weight of the ship, the docking blocks shall be removed. After all the docking blocks are removed, adjust the internal pressure of the air bags to make the force balance.
6 After the workers and other personnel who are going to stay onboard during the launching have boarded the ship, remove the ladders and gangways and so on.
7 Depending on the conditions of slipway and area water, one of the following launching methods may be used:
a) if the area water is wide enough, one can launch the ship by moving the ship to the water's edge, disengage the windlass, remove or cut the tow line and let the ship slides into the water by itself;
b) if the area water is not wide enough, use the windlass to control the launching speed and let the ship glide into the water slowly;
c) if the stern of the ship is built directly over the water and no windlass is available, the ship shall be secured to the ground anchor by the rope before filling the air bags. Tminimum water depth needed for launching is to be calculated. The ship may be launched by herself into the water by
cutting off the rope or letting off the ground anchor when there is enough water depth.
8 After the ship is afloat, tow and secure the ship to the wharf, measure the bow and stern drafts; inspect each compartment for leakage.
9 All air bags shall be retrieved.
10 All data of launching operation shall be recorded
How to arrange/choose the windlass when using the rubber air bags?
* A windlass shall be used to control the movement of the ship. Tow system that comprises windlass,
steel wire rope and pulley set shall be securely fastened to the ground anchor in front of the berth.
In general, a slow windlass shall be selected for ship launching. The veering speed of the windlass
shall be 9 m/min to 13 m/min.
*The forces of the windlass and the steel wire rope are shown in below picture when the ship is being
launched and before gaining any floatation. The maximum tensile force of the steel wire rope shall be
calculated in accordance with Formula (1). The hauling force of windlass's steel wire shall be checked in accordance with Formula (2).
1. F= Qg* Sinα-μQg*Cosα+ Q v/t
2. Fc≥KF/(Nc*Cosβ)
Where
F is the maximum pulling force of the steel wire rope when the ship is being launched (kN);
α is the angle between the ship, which is borne by air bags, and the horizon (degree);
μ is a friction coefficient of the rolling air bags on the slipway. It shall be determined according
to many factors such as gradient of the slipway, condition of the ground, configuration and
internal pressure and arrangement of air bags;
v is the speed of the ship in motion (m/s);
t is the time for the windlass to brake the ship motion (s);
Fc is the tensile force of the steel wire rope of the windlass (N);
K is the safety coefficient, in general, K = 1,2~1,5;
Nc is the number of the hauling wire ropes on the moving tackle;
β is the angle between the direction of maximum pull force (F) and the steel wire rope (degree).
In general, it is not to be greater than 6°.
* Windlass shall be securely fixed to the ground anchor. The design load of ground anchor shall
meet the requirement of the calculated pulling force (F).
* The steel wire ropes shall meet the requirements of ISO 2408, with capacity of the calculated
maximum pull force (F) or the calculated tensile force (Fc). The allowable load of pulley set, shackle, steel
* wire rope and rope clip shall meet the calculated pulling force.
* Windlass shall be checked and maintained on a regular basis. Steel wire ropes shall be inspected
and, according to the manufacturer's specification, be replaced on a regular basis.
Product Selling Points (USPs)
Ultra-High Load Capacity: Built with high-tensile synthetic-tire-cord layers to withstand extreme internal and external pressure.
High Resistance to Abrasion & Aging: Formulated with high-quality natural rubber and anti-aging agents for long-term use in harsh marine environments.
Cost-Efficient Alternative: Eliminates the need for expensive traditional slipways, reducing infrastructure costs for shipyards.
Innovative Seamless Technology: Manufactured using holistic wrapping and winding technology to prevent air leakage and structural failure.
Product Applications
Ship Launching & Hauling Out: Moving vessels from land to water or pulling them up for repairs (ideal for ships up to 100,000 DWT).
Heavy Lifting & Moving: Transporting large caissons, concrete pipes, or industrial equipment over land.
Marine Salvage & Refloating: Providing buoyancy for sunken vessels or stranded ships in shallow water.
Temporary Floating Bridge: Creating pontoon-style support for temporary marine access.
Company Profile
Qingdao Florescence Marine Supply Co., Ltd is a premier manufacturer specializing in high-performance marine rubber products. Our state-of-the-art facility utilizes advanced vulcanization technology to produce Marine Rubber Airbags that exceed ISO 14409 international standards. With decades of engineering expertise, we provide full technical support-from airbag selection to on-site launching calculations. Our commitment to quality and safety has made us a trusted partner for shipyards, salvage teams, and construction firms across the globe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How do I choose the right number of layers for my ship?
The number of layers depends on the ship's weight (DWT), the length of the vessel, and the slope of the slipway. Our engineers can provide a specific calculation for your project.
2. What is the difference between a 6-layer and an 8-layer airbag?
An 8-layer airbag has a higher working pressure and load-bearing capacity, making it suitable for larger vessels or steeper slipways compared to a 6-layer model.
3. What is the typical service life of your rubber airbags?
When used and stored correctly, our marine airbags have a service life of 6 to 10 years.
4. Can these airbags be used on uneven ground?
Yes, their flexible nature allows them to conform to minor ground irregularities, though the slipway should be cleared of sharp debris.
5. Are your airbags compliant with international standards?
Yes, all our products are manufactured and tested according to ISO 14409:2011 (Ships and marine technology - Ship launching air bags).
6. How do you repair a punctured airbag?
We provide a specialized repair kit including raw rubber and heating tools. Small punctures can be fixed through a cold or hot vulcanization process.
7. What kind of maintenance is required?
Keep them clean, dry, and away from oils or chemicals. Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight when not in use.
8. Do you offer on-site technical assistance for ship launching?
Yes, we can provide remote technical guidance or send experienced engineers to your shipyard to supervise the first launch.
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