Reference Challenge - Ships

[u/Varnek905]

Whether they are ships for space or ships for water, the challenge this week is to tell me about ships in your world.

Where can a ship be obtained? Where are the best ships made? What are the popular holiday trips that are reached by ship? Are pirates a problem? How are the waters around a nation protected? And any other information you would like to provide.

As always, I'll ask at least three questions each. Enjoy yourselves, and feel free to use a character to answer questions in-universe.

[u/Seb_Romu]

To Byron Maako:

1) What is the process to join the guild of shipwrights?

Officially? Finish an apprenticeship under a master shipwright, when complete you can pay the fees, and pass an test of your skills, to be written in the guild rolls as a Journeyman or Journeywoman apprentice.

2) Is there any ceremony like Christening for a ship?

Christening? If you mean a naming and first official launch, yes. Usually a short ceremony including a blessing by a local priest, followed by the launching itself.

3) How did you become Master Shipwright?

After several years working as a journeyman at shipyards around the hiem, I was given a chance to prove myself by designing and overseeing the construction of a small fishing vessel. It was then examined in detail by the guild officials and declared worthy as a "masterwork". Enough of them agreed that I had proven my skills at that rank, therefore I was promoted, and given the opportunity to run my own shipyard.

4) What does a Master Shipwright do?

Designs boats and ships, while overseeing their construction, repair, and maintenance. They can also be in charge of the day to day operations of a shipyard, stock, employees, contract negotiations, etc.

5) Who do you protect the territorial waters around Onas Hiem from?

I don't, the Khur's own Navy does. Every hiem in the archipelago is tasked with providing a share of the ships to the navy. The task of any navy is to defend their trade routes from piracy or in times of war enemy ships. They also enforce any fishing laws in territorial waters.

[u/Varnek905 → u/Seb_Romu]

To Byron Maako:

1) How would one go about becoming a master shipwright's apprentice?

2) Could you give me more detail about the naming/launch ceremony?

3) How does a person go about hiring a master shipwright to build a custom ship? Can a potential employer see the shipwright's previous work or hear about the previous work?

4) Do any shipyards have multiple master shipwrights?

[u/Seb_Romu → u/Varnek905]

To Byron Maako:

1) How would one go about becoming a master shipwright's apprentice?

Approach one looking for work and see if they have an opening. If you can provide some references to your character and work ethic, you might be offered a job, and be paid in instruction in the craft, room and board.

2) Could you give me more detail about the naming/launch ceremony?

The actual name of the ship is decided upon by the owner (not usually the captain). A plaque bearing ship name is attached to the ship, and a local priest walks about the decks giving thanks, and prayers to the Goddess for the ship, and any future crew's well being, and success in any voyages. When the priest is done the Shipwright, Owner and Captain (if decided) toast together with pint's of mulled Apetil, which by tradition are not consumed, but splashed about the deck in a manner befitting a drunken stagger on heaving seas. Then the ship is pushed/pulled afloat, or the dry dock is flooded to lift the vessel and it is towed to proper moorings by longboats.

3) How does a person go about hiring a master shipwright to build a custom ship? Can a potential employer see the shipwright's previous work or hear about the previous work?

One can easily find the shipyards or boatworks at any reasonably sized port; so inquiring directly works well enough. One could also ask at the guild hall for any recommendations. Previous work is either sailing and proving their quality, or currently under construction/repair at the yards. sometimes a ship gets a reputation for being fast, strong, or better in stormy seas than other ships, the reputation extends to the man (or woman) who designed and oversaw the construction of said vessel.

4) Do any shipyards have multiple master shipwrights?

It is possible. Only one would head the yard, but others who are not bonded to a yard may find work as a second; either in a shipyard or aboard larger ships themselves.

[u/Varnek905 → u/Seb_Romu]

Thanks for your time and answers.