A shipfitter is a marine occupational classification used both by naval activities and among ship builders; however, the term applies mostly to certain workers at commercial and naval shipyards during the construction or repair phase of a ship.
The term is derived from the words "ship" and "fit" -- essentially, "fitting" parts of the "ship" together.
Naval usage
A shipfitter is an enlisted or civilian person who works on materials such as high-tensile steel and high yield strength steel.
Shipfitters fabricate, assemble and erect all structural parts of a ship, coordinate all fixed tank work performed on submarines and ships, and coordinate all sonar dome work. Shipfitters also use heavy machinery, such as plate planners, shears, punches, drill presses, bending rolls, bending slabs, plate bevelers, saws, presses up to 750 tons, angle rolls (vertical and horizontal), dogs and wedges. Shipfitters are responsible for hydro and air testing of tanks and compartments, as well as perform grinding, drilling and fit-up operations on submarines and surface crafts.
Ship builder usage
A shipfitter is a worker who “fits” together the structural portions of a ship by either
welding
Welding is a fabrication (metal), fabrication process that joins materials, usually metals or thermoplastics, by using high heat to melt the parts together and allowing them to cool, causing Fusion welding, fusion. Welding is distinct from lower ...
or by
riveting
A rivet is a permanent mechanical fastener. Before being installed, a rivet consists of a smooth cylindrical shaft with a head on one end. The end opposite to the head is called the ''tail''. On installation, the rivet is placed in a punched o ...
.
See also
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Metalworking
Metalworking is the process of shaping and reshaping metals to create useful objects, parts, assemblies, and large scale structures. As a term it covers a wide and diverse range of processes, skills, and tools for producing objects on every scale ...
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Shipbuilding
Shipbuilding is the construction of ships and other floating vessels. It normally takes place in a specialized facility known as a shipyard. Shipbuilders, also called shipwrights, follow a specialized occupation that traces its roots to befor ...
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List of United States Navy ratings
United States Navy ratings are general Enlisted rank, enlisted Job (role), occupations used by the United States Navy, U.S. Navy since the 18th century, which denote the specific skills and abilities of the sailor. Each naval rating has its own ...
References
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionaryshipfitter DefinitionShipfitter
Construction trades workers
Metalworking occupations
Shipbuilding
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