Practical vessel modification and refit engineering built around the constraints of an existing ship.
Changing an operational vessel is rarely as simple as installing a new component. Existing structures, machinery, access routes and service connections all affect how a modification can be planned. Capybara Dimensional supports vessel owners, yards and technical project teams with CAD design development, equipment integration and engineering documentation for modifications, upgrades and refit work.
Our work begins with the best available picture of the vessel as it exists today. We review the supplied drawings, models, equipment data and project objectives, then identify interfaces that may affect the proposed change. From a focused equipment replacement to a coordinated set of modifications, our aim is to produce clear technical information that supports review, planning and implementation without overstating what has been verified.
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Refit design needs careful coordination between the new requirement and the vessel’s established systems, clearances and operating needs.
Develop CAD models and drawings for proposed changes to vessel arrangements, local structures and mechanical systems. The work can include assessing the geometry of an existing space, preparing alternative layouts and defining interfaces that require confirmation. Design changes are documented so that the project team can assess their impact before committing to installation details.
Support replacement or upgrading of machinery and equipment by comparing known dimensions, mounting arrangements, service connections and access requirements. New equipment often differs from what it replaces, even when the function is similar. We help translate the equipment data into a coordinated arrangement and identify potential clashes or missing information for the responsible disciplines to resolve.
Develop retrofit concepts into coordinated models and technical layouts. This may involve integrating additional equipment or adapting an existing installation for changed operational requirements. We consider spatial restrictions, maintenance routes and the sequence in which work may be carried out. The required design verification, approval and installation engineering are defined in consultation with the project team.
Prepare or revise drawings and models needed for refit coordination and technical handover. Outputs can include before-and-after arrangements, detail drawings, equipment interfaces and updated documents based on confirmed changes. Where an as-built record is required, the final issue depends on validated installation information rather than assumptions made during design.
The starting point is understanding the existing vessel. Older or incomplete drawings can differ from the condition on board, so we identify which dimensions are reliable and which need to be checked through inspection or measurement. We then establish the scope of the proposed change, the boundaries between disciplines and the deliverables required for review.
Throughout design development, attention is given to installation space, access for maintenance, structural and mechanical interfaces, and the information other project participants need. We prepare updates through an agreed revision process and document unresolved points clearly. Classification, statutory requirements and the final approval of modifications remain matters for the owner's appointed engineering and approval parties. Our contribution is a practical, coordinated design package that supports those decisions.
Available vessel records and uncertain dimensions are distinguished.
Equipment, surrounding systems and installation access are considered.
Coordinated revisions and handover information support execution.
A modification package may begin with existing general-arrangement drawings, supplier documentation, photographs or measured dimensions. The condition and completeness of that information influence how far design work can progress before additional checks are needed. We make those dependencies visible when defining the assignment.
Depending on the agreed scope, handover material may include revised layouts, 3D integration models, installation interface drawings and an updated drawing register. The intended users—design reviewers, yard planners or technical superintendents—help determine the appropriate level of detail and file structure.
For an initial refit discussion, useful information includes the vessel type, equipment to be changed, available drawings, planned maintenance or yard window and any areas where access is limited. We can use this to frame a practical CAD support package and highlight information that may require a site check. The goal is to make the modification understandable before drawings are relied upon for execution.
Tell us what needs to change, when the work is planned and which vessel drawings or equipment details are available. We can discuss the required CAD support, identify likely information gaps and agree on useful deliverables for the next project stage.
