Ship Launching with Airbags

Ship Launching with Airbag has the characteristics of high energy absorption, low reaction force, higher stress dispersion and long service life. The front end is provided with a guard plate to reduce the surface pressure. It is widely used in hoisting and carrying of large and heavy objects, salvaging sunken ships and rescuing stranded ships.
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Description

Description of Ship Launching with Airbags

Ship lifting Airbag has the characteristics of strong suction, low reaction, high stress dispersion, long service life and so on. The front end is provided with a protective plate to reduce the surface pressure. Widely used in large, heavy-duty ship hoisting, sunken ship salvage, stranded ship rescue.

 

Parameter Description
Max vessel deadweight Supports launching up to 100,000 DWT
Layer options 6 layers / 8 layers / more – based on vessel weight and slipway slope
Working pressure 8-layer airbag > 6-layer airbag – higher load capacity
Service life Under proper use & storage: 6 – 10 years
Quantity required Calculated based on bottom area, vessel weight, airbag diameter/length

 

Features:

1.Easy installation: Due to the small size of the bottom width, Ship Launching with Airbag is especially suitable for the installation of frame wharf and ship side.

2.Stable: When berthing, the pitch adaptability of our Ship Launching with Airbag will not be affected by the size of the ship.

3.Good sealing: Special rubber adhesive is adopted, so that the air bag head is firmly connected with the air bag mouth made of iron, which solves the problem that the air bag mouth is easy to burst and the air tightness is not good.

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Advantages:

●Stock available and fast delivery.

●Provide repair machine and using instruction.

●Long time service life can be used more than 8 years

●Wear resistance and anti aging

●Good rubber material and tyre fabric

●Environment friendly. Time & cost saving

●Need only air compressors, winches and ropes

●Much cheaper and easy use than other methods

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Launching With Airbags Materials

 

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Typical Applications

Application Description
Ship launching & hauling out Land-to-water or water-to-land for newbuilding or repair
Heavy lifting & moving Transporting large caissons, concrete pipes, industrial equipment over land
Marine salvage & refloating Providing buoyancy for sunken or stranded vessels
Temporary floating bridge Pontoon-style support for temporary marine access

 

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Safety & Storage

Rubber Airbags Safety precaution:

● Over pressure Control:

Strictly control the operating pressure, over pressure is forbidden.

● The Landing Slipway Requirements:

The landing ground should be ground or cement concrete, according the tonnage of different ships.

● Avoid Sharp Objects:

Make sure no sharp objects and make sure the smooth and clean ground during using them in case of break of airbag.

● Avoid Distortion And Overweight

Avoid distortion in the length direction during rolling and avoid overweight load after gas charging.

 

Storage

● When the airbags are not to be used for a long time, they should be drained, cleaned, dried, filled with talc power, and the exterior surfaces should be coated with talc power.

● It should be maintained in a dry ventilated room and be protected from light.

● It should be in a relaxed condition free from tension, compression or other deformation.

● It should be kept away from any heat source.

● It should be protected from acids, alkali, oils or organic solvents.

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Ship Launching with Airbags FAQ

 

Q1: How many airbags and how many layers do I need for my vessel?
A: We require the following information: vessel deadweight (DWT) or total weight, overall length, bottom width, slipway slope (angle α), and allowable initial launching speed. FLORESCENCE engineers will perform load calculation and airbag layout design to provide the exact number, diameter, length, and layer count. 6-layer suits smaller vessels or gentle slopes; 8-layer and above suits larger tonnage or steeper slipways.

Q2: Can airbags be used on uneven slipway ground?
A: Yes – flexible airbags can adapt to minor ground irregularities. However, all sharp debris (stones, welding slag, bolts, etc.) must be cleared. It is recommended to lay thin steel plates or used conveyor belts as a protective layer to prevent punctures.

Q3: What equipment is required for airbag inflation? How is it done on site?
A: You need an air compressor with a pressure gauge and inflation hose connected to the airbag valve. Procedure: inflate sequentially from stern to bow. First inflate to low pressure (<0.02MPa) to contact the ship bottom and adjust positions, then increase pressure in steps to specified working pressure (typically 0.05–0.08MPa) – ensuring even load distribution.

Q4: Can a punctured airbag be repaired on site?
A: Yes. Small punctures or cuts (diameter <50mm, without extensive cord damage) can be repaired using FLORESCENCE's specialized repair kit (raw rubber + heating tools) via hot vulcanization. For larger damage or severe cord layer exposure, replace the airbag. A repair instruction manual is provided with each airbag.

Q5: How is launching speed controlled? What is the role of the windlass?
A: The windlass, connected to the bow via steel wire ropes, actively controls launching speed. In shipyards with restricted water area, the windlass releases wire ropes at slow speed (9–13 m/min) – allowing the vessel to slide slowly into water – and can also perform emergency braking. The windlass must be securely fixed to a ground anchor, and the anchor design load must satisfy the maximum calculated pulling force F (including safety factor K=1.2~1.5).

Q6: What are the storage and maintenance requirements for airbags?
A:

  • Storage: Deflate, clean, and keep dry. Avoid direct sunlight, ozone sources, oils, chemicals, and sharp objects.
  • Maintenance: Inspect surface for wear/cuts before and after each use; regularly check valves for leakage; if unused for long periods, inspect every 6 months.
  • Service life: Under proper use and storage: 6 – 10 years.

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