Syncrolift

Mechanical ship-lift platform that raises vessels onto land for transfer to repair berths or storage. The lift consists of a submerged steel platform carried on synchronised hoists; the ship floats over the platform, the hoists raise platform and ship clear of water, and the vessel is then transferred laterally on rail bogies. Syncrolifts are used by smaller naval and commercial yards because they are cheaper than graving docks and handle vessels up to several thousand tonnes. The method is common at yards specialising in offshore vessels, naval auxiliaries, and large yachts.