A ship lift is a large structural platform powered by synchronized hoists that lowers a vessel into the water for launching or raises it to yard level for dry-docking. It allows shipyards to move vessels on rails onto dry land, freeing up the platform to lift other vessels, which is much faster than flooding and draining a traditional graving dock.
Heard on the job
The yard schedule has the patrol boat going on the ship lift at high tide on Tuesday.