When you spend years working on something you might normally release it gently into the world, but not so ship-makers.

Footage shows the spectacular -- and sometimes scary -- moments when big ships are launched.

It doesn't always go to plan, with one ship appearing to almost sink as it is dropped into the channel next to it, and other creating waves so large they swamp shipping containers and, almost, a motorbike, on the other side.

The video shows Meyer Werft 'float outs' (ship launches), Ems river conveyances, other close calls and the christening of cruise ship AIDAprima in Hamburg.

The awesome sideways ship launches take place in Leer, Germany, and Westerbroek in the Netherlands.

The incident where a tug boat is pushed underwater happened during the conveyance of the Norwegian Escape ship along the river Ems from the Meyer Werft shipyard to Emshaven beside the North Sea.

Compilation of the best ship launch videos I recorded including the Meyer Werft Float Outs (Shiplaunch), the Ems river conveyances, other close calls and the christening of cruise ship AIDAprima in Hamburg.

The awesome sideways ship launches take place in Leer, Germany and Westerbroek, the Netherlands.

The close call of the tug boat pushed under water happened during the passage from the shipyard to the North Sea.