Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Dry Docking • Dock Trials • Sea Trials

General Arrangement

Term from Shipbuilding industry explained for recruiters

A General Arrangement (GA) is like a detailed floor plan or blueprint for a ship. It shows the layout of all spaces, equipment, and features across every deck of the vessel. Think of it as a comprehensive map that helps everyone involved in shipbuilding understand where everything goes - from crew quarters to cargo spaces, engine rooms to safety equipment. When someone mentions "GA drawings" or "GA plans" in shipbuilding, they're referring to these essential layout documents that serve as the primary reference for ship design and construction.

Examples in Resumes

Developed General Arrangement drawings for 50,000 DWT bulk carriers using AutoCAD

Led team in reviewing and updating GA plans for cruise ship renovation project

Created preliminary General Arrangement layouts for new series of fishing vessels

Typical job title: "Naval Architects"

Also try searching for:

Marine Designer Ship Designer Naval Architecture Engineer Marine Drafter Ship Design Engineer Marine Engineering Designer

Where to Find Naval Architects

Professional Organizations

Job Boards

Professional Networks

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you ensure a General Arrangement design complies with international maritime regulations?

Expected Answer: A strong answer should mention checking against SOLAS requirements, coordinating with classification societies, and understanding how to balance regulatory requirements with client needs while maintaining efficient space utilization.

Q: Describe a challenging GA modification project you've managed and how you handled it.

Expected Answer: Look for answers that demonstrate leadership in managing changes to existing vessel layouts, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of how changes impact different shipboard systems and operations.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What key factors do you consider when developing a General Arrangement?

Expected Answer: Candidate should mention passenger/crew flow, safety requirements, efficient use of space, accessibility for maintenance, and consideration of different operational scenarios.

Q: How do you handle conflicting requirements between different departments when designing a GA?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate ability to balance different needs, communicate with stakeholders, and find practical compromises while maintaining vessel efficiency and safety.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What are the basic elements included in a General Arrangement drawing?

Expected Answer: Should be able to list main components like accommodation spaces, machinery spaces, cargo areas, access ways, and safety equipment locations.

Q: What software tools do you use for creating GA drawings?

Expected Answer: Should mention common marine design software like AutoCAD, AVEVA Marine, or similar tools, and basic understanding of their use in ship design.