Talk:Semi-submersible platform

Definition of semisubmersible
In shipping industry I think a semi-submersible is a crane ship or a he drill rig that is described in the article. I do not think that the "drydockships" are called semi-submersible. Jeff 18:16, 14 February 2007 (UTC)
 * I know bugger all about the shipping industry, but Dry_dock describes what I understand to be a semi-submersible. RupertMillard (Talk) 20:45, 14 February 2007 (UTC)

English is not my native language that is why I may know the meaning of the word semi submersible better than somebody with a English native background. A semi submersible is not the same as something that is sometimes submersible and sometimes not. Semi-submersible is an international word, that is used in all countries in the world under this name. A semisubmersible or semi sub is a floating object that gets its basic buoyance from under water floaters. The deck is built above water and the connection between floaters and deck is with pillars with relatively small buoyance. This gives the advantages that the movement of the waves has relatively small influence on the movement of the vessel. On the other side, a change of the center of gravity of the floater will tilt the vessel immediately. This must be corrected by ballastwater, in fact in the same way as on board of a submarine. The design of a semi-sub is an optimalisation between dependance of the heave and the stability. This means that a floating drydock or a heavy lift ship etc. are not called semi-sub as far as I know. Jeff 10:29, 18 February 2007 (UTC)

While your note about the definition of semi-submersible is interesting, in the maritime industry, "semi-submersible" is used interchangeably for "heavy lift" ship (whether or not they have drydock type wingwalls). The term used in the US Navy is "Flo/Flo", for float-on/float-off. The only distinction that I am aware of is that some ships with heavy-lift crane capacity (300 tons +) are called heavy lift ships as well. Jay Standring 15 August 2007

I am from the offshore oil industry and 'semisubmersible' is exclusively used for vessels with submerged pontoons and small columns that has very good stability. They are used for drilling, construction and production. I am not aware that floating drydocks or float under vessel are called semisubs. I have changed around the order of the subsections to emphasise the offshore pieces where I think semisubs are most pervasive. On reading the section on military applications, I don't think any of the examples given are truly semisubmersibles; the examples are low profile ships and submarines. I think this section should be removed. Any other thoughts ? Happy to hear more views on the application of semisubs in other arenas. andyminicooper (talk) 20:27, 30 August 2009 (UTC)

I have added a table listing the offshore semisubmersible production platforms. I think that there maybe a few more to add. I need to find out more about the many Petrobras semis listed but without data. I am also thinking about adding to the section on drilling semis and heavy lift semis. The drilling semis may warrant a page allof their own as there is a long history and many different examples. Any thoughts ? andyminicooper (talk) 20:46, 14 September 2009 (UTC)

I have now seen an article in a contemporary shipping magazine that talks of the float-on float-off transport ships as semisubmersible ships. This I think is good confirmation that both offshore drilling/production semis and the construction and transport semis should be fully covered. I will look for other appropriate pages for the 'submerged ships' elements at the end of the articles, as I don't think they fit under this title. andyminicooper (talk) 21:33, 11 October 2009 (UTC)

Perhaps the term semi-submersible should be restricted just to the conventional usage. If "Flo-flo" vessels, floating docks, etc. were to be included in this category then, theoretically, all other ships which carry cargoes should be included, as well. When a cargo ship, or tanker, is empty it has a relatively small draft. When cargo is loaded, the draft then becomes much deeper. In other words, the ship is semi-submerged when it is full of cargo. The main function of the true semi-submersible design is to provide a stable platform in adverse weather conditions so, perhaps that should be the defining criteria. (I once heard a layman describe a semi-sub rig as - "looking just like two submarines with an overloaded coffee table placed on top of them." It was a pretty good description!) Norloch (talk) 13:36, 2 November 2009 (UTC)

I have researched a bit more about the heavy lift ships and find that they are NOT generally called semi-submersible by their owners and operators, but heavy lift ships or float-on float-off vessels. I propose to split this section out to a Heavy lift ship section. andyminicooper (talk) 22:15, 11 November 2009 (UTC)

I plan on making the 'Other types' section into a 'See also' section linked ot other wiki pages. These other types are not really associated with the semi-submersible design as described on this page. This will tidy up this section which is made up of all sorts of bits and bobs. andyminicooper (talk) 21:47, 27 November 2009 (UTC)

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Proposed name change to define scope
Per the discussion at Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Ships, I propose that this article be renamed Semi-submersible rig (alternatively, Semi-submersible platform) to distinguish it from such semi-submersible self-propelled vessels as, heavy-lift ships. See, for example: "Semi-Submersible Ships and Semi-Submersible Rigs: A General Overview". Sincerely, User:HopsonRoad 12:13, 11 April 2017 (UTC)
 * Semi-submersible platform would be better as some uses (eg floating cranes and accommodation vessels) are not encompassed by 'rigs'. Incidentally, while many are non-propelled, some are self-propelled, powered and equipped for limited navigational movements. Davidships (talk) 17:49, 13 April 2017 (UTC)


 * I have moved Semi-submersible platform to Semi-submersible platform (version 2) and then Semi-submersible to Semi-submersible platform. (Note: Semi-submersible and Semi-submersible platform cannot be history-merged, due to WP:Parallel histories.) Anthony Appleyard (talk) 04:37, 20 April 2017 (UTC)


 * Semisub should be disambiguated, as ships that skim at (no freeboard) or just below (only a bridge tower above water) the water's surface are also called semisubs, especially tourist semisubs and drug runner semi-submersibles. -- 70.51.200.162 (talk) 04:50, 20 April 2017 (UTC)
 * ✅ Thanks for the suggestion! User:HopsonRoad 16:07, 20 April 2017 (UTC)

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