Page 9 - Introduction to Naval Architecture

viii PREFACE

Apart from ships, many are involved in the exploitation of offshore
energy resources, harvesting the riches of the sea or in leisure activities.
Leisure is an increasingly important sector in the market, ranging from
small boats to large yachts and ferries and even underwater passenger
craft to show people the marvels of marine life. All marine structures
must obey the same basic laws and remain effective in the harsh marine
environment.
Many of those working in these fields will have had their basic
training in a more general engineering setting. This volume presents
the essential knowledge of naval architecture they need in a form which
they should find easy to assimilate as part of a course of learning. Those
who are already practitioners will find it useful as a reference text.