Professional diploma800 h · Online · 8 modules

Professional Diploma in Maritime Radio and Satellite Communications

This professional diploma covers the full communications chain of a ship, from the VHF set on the bridge to broadband satellite links and onboard networks. You will study radio wave propagation, ITU Radio Regulations and radio discipline, VHF, DSC and MF/HF procedures with SMCP phraseology, the GMDSS with its sea areas, equipment, distress procedures, EPIRBs and SARTs, Inmarsat, Iridium, VSAT and LEO constellations, maritime safety information through NAVTEX and SafetyNET, onboard IP networks, bandwidth and communications cyber security, the installation and maintenance of radio equipment, and operational practice in distress and SAR communications, ending with a ship's communications plan.

Duration800 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules8
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About the program

What is the Professional Diploma in Maritime Radio and Satellite Communications?

This professional diploma brings together radio and satellite communications as they are used at sea. You will learn how radio waves propagate in each frequency band, what the ITU Radio Regulations, operator certificates and mandatory radio documentation require, how routine, bridge-to-bridge, pilot and VTS communications are conducted on VHF and MF/HF with DSC and standard phraseology, how the GMDSS is organized by sea areas and how distress, urgency and safety traffic, EPIRBs, SARTs and false alert cancellation work, how Inmarsat, Iridium, VSAT and LEO services compare in coverage, capacity and cost, how maritime safety information reaches the bridge, and how onboard networks, crew connectivity and radio installations are managed and kept secure.

What sets this professional diploma apart: a ship-centered view that links traditional radio, the GMDSS and modern broadband satellite services in a single program; strong emphasis on correct procedures and SMCP phraseology for routine, distress and SAR communications; an up-to-date comparison of geostationary and low Earth orbit services, terminals and service plans; practical coverage of onboard IP networks, bandwidth management, crew welfare connectivity and cyber security; hands-on attention to antenna siting, cabling, reserve power, periodic tests and the annual radio survey; and a final project in which you draw up the complete communications plan of a ship.

Program typeProfessional diploma
ModeOnline
Duration800 hours
Modules8
Start1 December

Program highlights

  • Ship-centered approach: from VHF on the bridge to broadband satellite and onboard networks.
  • Radio procedures: VHF, DSC, MF/HF, SMCP phraseology, pilots and VTS.
  • GMDSS in depth: sea areas, equipment, distress traffic, EPIRB, SART and false alerts.
  • Satellite services: Inmarsat, Iridium, VSAT and LEO constellations, terminals and costs.
  • Onboard connectivity: IP networks, bandwidth, crew welfare and communications cyber security.
  • Final project: the complete communications plan of a ship.
Syllabus

Syllabus of the Professional Diploma in Maritime Radio and Satellite Communications

8 modules. Select a module to see its content.

Module 1

Fundamentals of maritime radiocommunications

  • 1.1. Wave propagation and frequency bands
  • 1.2. ITU Radio Regulations
  • 1.3. Operator licenses and certificates
  • 1.4. Mandatory equipment
  • 1.5. Radio discipline
  • 1.6. Tropospheric and ionospheric propagation
  • 1.7. Interference management
  • 1.8. Mandatory radio documentation
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 2

VHF and MF/HF communications

  • 2.1. VHF channels and procedures
  • 2.2. Digital selective calling (DSC)
  • 2.3. Medium and short wave communications
  • 2.4. Phonetic alphabet and phraseology
  • 2.5. Routine communications
  • 2.6. Bridge-to-bridge communications
  • 2.7. Communications with pilots and VTS
  • 2.8. Use of the Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP)
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 3

The GMDSS

  • 3.1. Sea areas A1, A2, A3 and A4
  • 3.2. GMDSS equipment
  • 3.3. Distress, urgency and safety procedures
  • 3.4. EPIRB and SART beacons
  • 3.5. Equipment maintenance
  • 3.6. Testing GMDSS equipment
  • 3.7. Canceling false alerts
  • 3.8. Reserve power sources
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 4

Satellite communications

  • 4.1. Inmarsat, Iridium and VSAT systems
  • 4.2. LEO constellations
  • 4.3. Voice and data services
  • 4.4. Antennas and terminals
  • 4.5. Costs and service plans
  • 4.6. Broadband data services
  • 4.7. Security in satellite communications
  • 4.8. Choosing a provider
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 5

Maritime safety information

  • 5.1. NAVTEX
  • 5.2. SafetyNET and enhanced group calling
  • 5.3. Notices to mariners
  • 5.4. Weather bulletins
  • 5.5. Integration on the bridge
  • 5.6. Satellite weather information
  • 5.7. Coastal warnings
  • 5.8. Automatic reception of information
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 6

Networks and data on board

  • 6.1. Connectivity for crew and passengers
  • 6.2. IP networks on board
  • 6.3. Bandwidth management
  • 6.4. Email and data transfer
  • 6.5. Communications cyber security
  • 6.6. Crew networks
  • 6.7. Online welfare services
  • 6.8. Content filtering
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 7

Installation and maintenance

  • 7.1. Antenna siting
  • 7.2. Cabling and interference
  • 7.3. Reserve power supplies
  • 7.4. Periodic tests
  • 7.5. Fault diagnosis
  • 7.6. Stabilized antennas
  • 7.7. Maintenance of reserve batteries
  • 7.8. Annual radio survey
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 8

Operational practice

  • 8.1. Simulated distress communications
  • 8.2. Coordination with rescue centers
  • 8.3. Communications logging
  • 8.4. Real cases
  • 8.5. Communications in SAR operations
  • 8.6. Communications with helicopters
  • 8.7. Exercise assessment
  • 8.8. Final project: communications plan for a ship
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Plan your pace

Duration and format of the Professional Diploma in Maritime Radio and Satellite Communications

It is 800 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
15
months to finish
67 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 Professional Diploma in Maritime Radio and Satellite Communications

01Implement and maintain resilient satellite communication systems, choosing robust equipment, diversifying links and setting automatic backup protocols.
02Design and optimize radio communication networks, selecting and configuring radios and antennas according to propagation, power and receiver sensitivity.
03Diagnose and resolve faults in radio and satellite equipment efficiently, using diagnostic tools and technical documentation to restore service.
04Manage and coordinate radio and satellite communications projects, defining scope, resources, risks and quality at every stage.
05Master emerging radio and satellite technologies, such as low Earth orbit services, to improve bandwidth and latency at sea.
06Lead innovation in wireless and satellite communications, deploying advanced connectivity solutions and improving existing networks.
Careers

Career opportunities after the Professional Diploma in Maritime Radio and Satellite Communications

01Marine radio technicianinstallation, maintenance and repair of radio and GMDSS equipment.
02Satellite communications techniciandeployment and support of satellite systems for ships and shipping companies.
03Coast station or maritime control center staffradio watch and communications with ships, once holding the qualification required locally.
04Fleet communications specialistdesign and management of radio and satellite networks for a fleet.
05Communications consultantadvice to shipping and maritime service companies on radio and satellite solutions.
06Technical sales and support for marine communications equipment and airtime services
Frequently asked questions

Questions about the Professional Diploma in Maritime Radio and Satellite Communications

Yes. It covers VHF, DSC and MF/HF radio, the GMDSS and maritime safety information, as well as Inmarsat, Iridium, VSAT and LEO satellite services and onboard networks.

Yes. Alongside propagation, regulations and systems, you work on procedures, phraseology, distress and SAR communication exercises, installation checks and fault diagnosis.

No. Navalis teaches the subject in depth; GMDSS operator certificates such as the GOC and ROC are issued by the maritime administration after its own examination.

Yes. One module deals with onboard IP networks, bandwidth management, crew and passenger connectivity, welfare services, content filtering and communications cyber security.

It treats satellite services as one part of the ship's communications, together with radio procedures, the GMDSS, safety information and radio maintenance.

You draw up the communications plan of a ship: equipment by sea area, satellite services, onboard network, maintenance and testing schedule and distress procedures.

The professional diploma comprises 800 hours of study across 8 modules of about 100 hours each and ends with a final project. It is taught fully online, with live sessions that are recorded and tutorials with the teaching staff.

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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 electronics and telecommunications technicians and engineers who want to specialize in maritime communications, merchant navy officers and radio operators who want to update their knowledge of modern equipment, the GMDSS and emergency procedures, coast station and maritime control center staff, shipping and maritime service professionals responsible for fleet communications, and students and recent graduates in related fields. A technical qualification in telecommunications or electronic engineering, or proven experience in radio and communications, is recommended, together with a basic understanding of radio frequency, modulation and communication protocols.
  • 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 and a camera for live sessions and project presentations.
  • 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
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Start my applicationFrom $320 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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