At BaseLine Technology, we have developed a measurement system, using a theodolite total station, which allows quick, accurate measurement of existing hulls, molds and other complex shapes which would otherwise take weeks to measure with questionable results.

The equipment used consists of an electronic theodolite (the same instrument used by land surveyors) coupled to an electronic data collector, which transfers measured points into BaseLine II through special software developed by BaseLine Technology. This transfer takes place in the drydock during measurement. This assures that a proper measurement has been acquired prior to leaving the drydock.

Typical applications of the output are:

	Adding sponsons to existing fishing vessels
	Stability data for existing vessels.
	Documenting historic vessels.
	Documenting existing vessels in litigation.
	Documenting existing fiberglass molds where lines drawings have been lost.

Measurement usually takes two days or less and is performed in a drydock. Typically, the owner notifies BaseLine Technology prior to his routine drydocking and the measurement is performed over a weekend, when shipyard personnel are not working, but the boat is being charged for lay time, anyway. If you're considering documentation or modification of an existing hull, let BaseLine Technology give you a quote to measure the boat while it is out of the water for its next routine maintenance. The illustration at left shows a yacht which toppled in a windstorm. The yacht and surrounding environs were measured and the accident scene re-created in AutoCAD r13. The illustration shown was part of a report prepared by Jay Spearman of Kirkland, Washington which describes the conditions under which the yacht was likely to have toppled.

At left is the historic whaling ship, Charles W. Morgan in drydock at Mystic Seaport Museum's Dupont Preservation Shipyard in November, 1992. Cliff W. Estes of BaseLine Technology was instrumental in measuring this historic vessel with the staff of the shipyard. This project was the start of Mystic's effort to utilize EDM technology to document the ever-changing shape of its fleet of large vessels including the Morgan and three other vessels. Mystic utilizes the same equipment as BaseLine Technology and sends its output to AutoCAD through BaseLine II, THE interactive hull fairing system. If you're considering establishing a similar program of documentation, let BaseLine Technology help you get started.