Ship Repairs

Ships in need of repair require access to what it is that needs to be repaired. And in the case of maintenance or damage to the hull, the ship itself needs to be out of the water. "Graving" docks solve this access problem by trapping the particular vessel into a holding area, much like how canal locks operate, with gates on either end. The water is then pumped out, leaving the ship in a dry dock. Repairs to propellers are often necessary as ships that travel the Great Lakes year-round are susceptible to damage from icy waters. Seen here at a graving dock in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, is a maintenance crew that has finished repairs to a significantly large propeller.