FIELD

The present disclosure relates to systems for lifting a shiplift platform above the level of a shipyard, to shiplift platforms including such systems, to shipyards including such systems, and to methods of making and using the same.

BACKGROUND

Shiplifts are used to dry dock and launch ships. Shiplifts typically include a structural platform that is lifted and lowered by hoists. Existing shiplift platform designs typically have arms that reach underneath piers on either side of the platform so that the hoists (e.g., chain jacks or winches) can be connected to the shiplift platform structure via chains or wire ropes. These hoists operate to lift and lower the shiplift platform, with or without a ship on it. Typically, the shiplift platform is lowered underwater, a ship is floated above the shiplift platform, and the shiplift platform and ship are then lifted above water-level using the hoists.

Shiplift platforms periodically require maintenance, such as re-painting (e.g., every 10 years or so). However, it is difficult to access at least some portions of shiplift platforms (e.g., the bottoms of shiplift platforms) for such maintenance because of the position of the shiplift platforms relative to the shipyard and/or the water-level.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a shipyard. The shipyard includes a yard defining a yard level. A shiplift platform is positioned adjacent the yard. A lifting system is coupled with the yard. The lifting system includes a hoist coupled with a hoist frame. The hoist is capable of coupling with the shiplift platform and raising and lowering the shiplift platform relative to the yard level. The lifting system includes a jack. The jack includes an actuator coupled with a jack frame and with the hoist frame. The actuator is actuable to raise the hoist above the yard level and is actuable to raise the shiplift platform above the yard level.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a shiplift. The shiplift includes a shiplift platform and a lifting system. The lifting system includes a hoist coupled with a hoist frame. The hoist is capable of coupling with the shiplift platform and raising and lowering the shiplift platform. The lifting system includes a jack. The jack includes an actuator coupled with a jack frame and with the hoist frame. The actuator is actuable to raise the hoist and is actuable to raise the shiplift platform.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a rotary chain jack. The rotary chain jack includes a hoist coupled with a hoist frame, and a jack including an actuator coupled with a jack frame and with the hoist frame.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a method of lifting a shiplift platform above a yard level of a shipyard. The method includes jacking-up a hoist. The hoist is positioned adjacent the shiplift platform at the shipyard. During the jacking-up of the hoist, the hoist is decoupled from the shiplift platform. The jacking-up of the hoist includes raising the hoist, relative to the yard level, from a first hoist height to a second hoist height. The method includes securing the hoist at the second hoist height, and coupling the hoist, at the second hoist height, with the shiplift platform. With the hoist at the second hoist height and coupled with the shiplift platform, the method includes jacking-up the shiplift platform by raising the shiplift platform toward the hoist, from a first platform height to a second platform height, and securing the shiplift platform at the second platform height.

