To be honest, when I first heard about ship launching airbags, I didn’t fully trust them.
Ten years ago, our yard mainly used slipways. They were expensive, heavy, and needed a very specific setup. Later, our orders changed. We started building more small and medium vessels, so we decided to try airbags.
We’ve been using them ever since.
Here are some real thoughts after using them again and again for many years. No theory—just lessons from the yard.
1. At first I thought it was about saving money, but it’s really about flexibility
The first reason I tried airbags was simple: lower cost.
No need to build a slipway. No heavy steel structure. Just a set of airbags and you’re ready.
But after some time, I realized the real advantage is flexibility:
- You can adjust the number of airbags for different vessels
- Uneven ground can still work
- You don’t need to rebuild your yard for every project
This is very useful when your orders are not stable.
2. You can judge an airbag after three uses
Many people ask: are airbags durable?
My answer is simple:
After three uses, you will see the difference clearly.
We’ve had problems like:
- Rubber wearing off quickly
- Weak internal layers causing bulging
- Poor ends leading to shape problems during inflation
Now we mainly check:
- Surface wear
- Any bulging or deformation
- Stability after repeated use
A good airbag should still perform well after many uses.
3. Operation on site matters more than the product
Many failures are not caused by the ship launching airbag itself, but by how it’s used.
Here are common mistakes:
1) Uneven air pressure
If workers inflate all airbags at once:
- The force becomes uneven
- The vessel may shift
Now we control pressure in sections.
2) Poor ground preparation
This is very important:
- Small stones can damage the surface
- Sharp objects can destroy an airbag in one use
We always:
- Lay sand
- Clean the ground twice
3) Wrong spacing
If spacing is not right:
- Too wide → too much pressure on one point
- Too close → waste and harder to manage
This comes from experience, not just manuals.
4. Different projects need different airbags
Airbags are not one-size-fits-all.
We’ve worked on different types:
Small vessels (under 1,000 tons)
- Lower requirements
- Focus on cost
Medium vessels (1,000–5,000 tons)
- Higher safety requirements
- More complex layout
Special jobs (salvage, moving vessels)
- Need high wear resistance
- Often need custom design
So now we always:
look at the project first, then choose the airbags
5. Wear resistance is more important than pressure capacity
One big lesson over the years:
Wear resistance matters more than pressure capacity
Why?
- Most suppliers can meet pressure needs
- But wear resistance decides how many times you can use it
Some airbags work fine the first time, but fail by the third use.
Now we prefer airbags with:
- Thick outer rubber
- Strong wear layer
- Good surface condition even after multiple uses
They cost more, but save money in the long run.
6. Airbags are not consumables, they are assets
At first, we treated airbags like disposable tools.
Now we don’t.
A good set of airbags can:
- Be used many times
- Be shared across projects
- Reduce overall risk
So now we care about:
total life cost, not just the price
7. Advice for beginners
If you are new to ship launching airbags:
- Don’t only look at price
Cheap airbags often fail quickly - Be conservative on your first project
More airbags = more safety - Manage your site well
Even the best airbag can fail if used wrong - Keep records
Track condition after each use
Final thought
After ten years, I can say this clearly:
Ship launching airbags are not just an alternative—they are a practical solution for many shipyards today.
But only if:
- You choose the right product
- And you use it the right way