posted on Sep, 21 2007 @ 07:46 AM
reply to post by vedas
Typically a ship is launched and then the outfitting or commissioning continues. The best way to explain it is the fitting out of a house once the
walls, plaster, doors and windows are done.
Ships are often launched before being fully fitted out as the dry dock when the keel was laid down may be needs for the start of another ship.
Commossioning is also the opportunity for the owners of the ship to look over their investment and see if it means the requirements.
There are also typically payment clauses based on the ship keel being laided down, the superstructure ready and launching, so the ship builder is
often keen to launch as they can present an invoice.