Creation of a didactic vessel to enhance the learning of naval engineering students

Abstract

The initiative to design a didactic vessel for the Technological Institute of Mazatlán arises from the need for a safe, on-campus space where naval engineering students can carry out practical activities, avoiding external shipyards where operational risks are present. The project followed six methodological phases that included conceptual design, basic and detailed engineering, as well as the construction process and quality control, all aligned with regulations from the Secretariat of the Navy and classification society standards. Students actively participated in the development of plans, stability calculations, and material preparation, while Teknaval S.A. de C.V. provided specialized personnel for the hull construction. As a result, the vessel’s structure is 90% complete and already functions as an educational tool, enabling hands-on learning in courses such as Naval Drawing, Lines and Forms, and Naval Structures, where students perform real hull geometry measurements and analyze structural components. This prototype demonstrates the feasibility of incorporating floating academic infrastructure into professional training, strengthening practical learning and positioning the institute as a national pioneer in integrating a didactic vessel into its educational model.