Short course300 h · Online · 5 modules

Crew and Expert Interviews Course

This course gives you the skills to interview seafarers and maritime experts and turn their knowledge into reliable, publishable content. You will learn to prepare and script an interview, design questions that produce useful and verifiable answers, listen actively, handle evasive replies, interview bridge, engine, deck and service crews as well as scientists, port authorities, regulators and industry specialists, and finally edit, verify and publish a series of interviews across several channels.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules5
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About the program

What is the Crew and Expert Interviews Course?

This short course prepares you to conduct professional interviews in the maritime sector, whether your goal is information, testimony, operational learning, investigation or technical outreach. You will study how to define audience and angle, research your guest and build a briefing dossier, structure a script with backup questions, respect consent, confidentiality and image and voice rights, choose the right type of question, use follow-ups to reach evidence and root causes, control interviewer bias, explore human factors such as fatigue and reporting culture, and interview experts from science, ports, regulation, industry and technology before editing and publishing the result.

What sets this course apart: interviewing techniques adapted to life and work at sea, with specific approaches for the bridge, the engine room, the deck and hotel services; a constant focus on accuracy, with verification and fact-checking built into every stage; attention to ethics and data protection when dealing with incidents and sensitive information; practical simulations with personalized feedback; and a final project in which you plan, produce and publish a series of maritime interviews with impact metrics.

Program typeShort course
ModeOnline
Duration300 hours
Modules5
Start1 December

Program highlights

  • Interview types: informative, testimonial, operational, investigative and technical outreach.
  • Preparation: audience, angle, prior research and a briefing dossier for every guest.
  • Questioning techniques: funnel, contrast, precision and follow-ups that reach evidence.
  • Crew interviews: bridge, engine room, deck and services, with a safety and human-factors focus.
  • Expert interviews: science, ports, regulation, industry and maritime technology.
  • Final project: a multichannel series of maritime interviews with impact metrics.
Syllabus

Syllabus of the Crew and Expert Interviews Course

5 modules. Select a module to see its content.

Module 1

Foundations of professional maritime interviewing, narrative goals and technical editorial preparation

  • 1.1. Purpose and scope: informative, testimonial, operational, investigative and technical outreach interviews in the maritime sector
  • 1.2. Defining audience and angle: working premise, sector focus (bridge, engine room, port, offshore) and public value
  • 1.3. Prior research: sources, technical documentation, basic verification and building a guest dossier
  • 1.4. Script structure: opening, thematic blocks, transitions, closings and backup questions for contingencies
  • 1.5. Ethics, consent and confidentiality: limits, sensitive data, image and voice rights and responsible use of the material
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 2

Question design, active listening and probing techniques to obtain useful and verifiable answers

  • 2.1. Types of question: open, closed, funnel, hypothetical, contrast and technical precision questions
  • 2.2. Applied active listening: rephrasing, validation, productive silences and managing interruptions
  • 2.3. Probing and follow-ups: examples, evidence, metrics, root causes and "what did you learn / what would you change"
  • 2.4. Handling evasive answers: redirecting, narrowing down, checking and gaining clarity without confrontation
  • 2.5. Controlling interviewer bias: neutrality, avoiding leading questions, checking assumptions and careful framing
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 3

Operational crew interviews: bridge, engine room, deck and services with a focus on safety and performance

  • 3.1. Interviewing bridge personnel: navigation, watchkeeping, decision-making, communication and traffic management
  • 3.2. Interviewing engine room personnel: maintenance, breakdowns, power, industrial safety and operational continuity
  • 3.3. Interviewing deck personnel: maneuvers, stowage, equipment operations, incident prevention and coordination
  • 3.4. Interviewing hotel and service staff: passenger experience, operational peaks, quality, complaints and protocols
  • 3.5. Questions on human factors: fatigue, stress, teamwork, reporting culture and no-blame learning
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 4

Interviews with experts and stakeholders: science, ports, regulation, industry and maritime technology

  • 4.1. Scientific experts: oceanography, biodiversity, conservation, methods, uncertainty and evidence
  • 4.2. Ports and authorities: operations, VTS, safety, sustainability, coordination and capacity management
  • 4.3. Regulation and compliance: applicable rules, liability, auditing, incident investigation and improvements
  • 4.4. Industry and suppliers: shipyards, equipment, maintenance, digitalization, cybersecurity and reliability
  • 4.5. Innovation and technology: marine robots, sensors, data, digital twins and real operational limits
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 5

Editing, multichannel publishing and final project: a series of maritime interviews with impact metrics

  • 5.1. Narrative editing: selection, pace, final structure, technical clarity and consistency of the message
  • 5.2. Final verification: fact-checking, confirmation of sensitive data, corrections and control of claims
  • 5.3. Publishing formats: article, podcast, long and short video, clips and reusable pieces for each channel
  • 5.4. Distribution and growth: editorial SEO, social media, newsletters, sector partnerships and an episode calendar
  • 5.5. Metrics and improvement: retention, completion, qualitative engagement, expert feedback and iterative learning
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Plan your pace

Duration and format of the Crew and Expert Interviews Course

It is 300 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.

4 h30 h
With 12 h per week
6
months to finish
25 weeks
weeks in total

This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.

Faculty

Academic leadership and faculty

The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.

Dra. Marina AlcoverDr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Ing. Diego CifuentesEng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerDr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dra. Nuria LlobregatDr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Ing. Javier BañulsEng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Ing. Sofía MarquinaEng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Ing. Tomás RieraEng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration Coordinator
Objectives

Objectives of the Crew and Expert Interviews Course

01Gather valuable information and perspectives through interviews, surveys and existing data, summarizing relevant findings and spotting key trends.
02Identify weak points and areas for improvement by relating crew and expert accounts to performance data and incident reports, looking for patterns and root causes.
03Encourage transparency and collaboration by sharing relevant information, such as weather, vessel condition or incidents, with the team and port authorities in a proactive way.
04Improve communication and mutual understanding through active listening, rephrasing and clear language adapted to the interviewee and the situation, from routine to emergencies.
05Document experiences and lessons learned in clear, concise reports on incidents, good practice and areas for improvement, proposing corrective actions based on the evidence.
06Produce detailed reports and practical recommendations that turn interview findings into useful conclusions for operations, safety and publication.
Careers

Career opportunities after the Crew and Expert Interviews Course

01Crew interviewerselection and assessment of candidates for positions on board.
02Maritime HR consultantadvice on talent management and professional development in the sector.
03Maritime journalistcontent for specialist media about life on board and the shipping industry.
04Maritime market researcheranalysis of crew trends and needs to improve wellbeing and performance.
05Communication and interviewing skills trainerdevelopment of effective communication and interviewing skills.
06Crew wellbeing program coordinatordesign and implementation of initiatives that improve quality of life on board.
Frequently asked questions

Questions about the Crew and Expert Interviews Course

To obtain detailed information and diverse perspectives on an operation, an incident or a topic, and to turn it into verified knowledge that can inform decisions or be published.

It covers interviewing as a professional skill in the maritime sector, so it is useful for both: the same preparation, questioning and verification techniques apply to selection, investigation and editorial work.

Information on watchkeeping, maneuvers, maintenance, breakdowns, service peaks and human factors such as fatigue, stress and reporting culture, always handled with consent and confidentiality.

The first module covers consent, sensitive data, image and voice rights and the responsible use of recorded material, and verification is applied again before anything is published.

Yes. It is open to professionals with a related background or experience in maritime or port operations; the admission interview confirms that the course suits your profile.

Through interview simulations with personalized feedback, practical exercises in each module and a final project consisting of a published series of maritime interviews with impact metrics.

Fully online, through a virtual campus available 24/7, with live sessions that are recorded, downloadable materials, discussion forums and tutorials with the teaching staff.

The course comprises 300 hours of study across 5 modules of about 60 hours each and ends with an applied project. You can progress at your own pace within the schedule set when you enroll.

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Online admission

Admission process

No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.

Entry requirements
  • Profile: aimed at maritime recruitment managers, Merchant Navy officers who aspire to leadership roles, shipping companies and crewing agencies, psychologists and consultants working in the maritime sector, journalists and researchers, and students of nautical disciplines; some experience of interviewing (HR, journalism or research) and basic knowledge of the maritime sector are recommended.
  • Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
  • Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser, a good-quality audio or video recorder (always used with consent) and, optionally, transcription software.
  • Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
  1. 01
    Application
    Your details, background and documents.
  2. 02
    Instant review
    We check that everything is complete and in order.
  3. 03
    Enrollment
    Choose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Start my applicationFrom $176 deposit

Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.

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