Professional Diploma in Integrated Shipboard Emergency Response
This professional diploma prepares you to lead and manage critical situations at sea with confidence. You will gain the knowledge and tools to plan, implement and evaluate emergency protocols on board, from fire and flooding to abandoning ship, search and rescue and crisis communication, so that you can protect people, the ship and the environment and keep risks to a minimum.
Prior knowledge check
These are the skills this program gives you. Tick the ones you already master and we will tell you which part of the syllabus is for you.
You are starting from scratch in this subject. The program is designed precisely for that.
What is the Professional Diploma in Integrated Shipboard Emergency Response?
This professional diploma follows a shipboard emergency from the first alarm to the post-incident review. You will study the regulatory framework of SOLAS Chapter III, the ISM Code and the STCW Convention, the muster list and the human factor under stress; fire detection, fixed and portable extinguishing systems and firefighting tactics in engine rooms and accommodation; damage control, shoring, emergency pumping and stability after flooding or grounding; personal life-saving appliances, lifeboats, rescue boats, liferafts and marine evacuation systems; the decision to abandon ship and survival at sea; IAMSAR search and rescue, helicopter operations and man-overboard recovery; and crisis management ashore, media communication, cyber emergencies and piracy response.
What sets this diploma apart: rather than focusing on evacuation drills alone, it integrates every type of emergency a ship may face into a single response system, linking firefighting, damage control, abandonment, SAR and shore-based crisis management; it pays attention to newer scenarios such as cyberattacks on navigation and machinery systems; and it ends with an integrating project in which you build a complete emergency and evacuation plan for a specific ship type, including risk matrix, muster list, evacuation times, a combined drill script and an inspection plan for life-saving appliances.
Program highlights
- Regulatory framework: SOLAS Chapter III, ISM Code, STCW competences, muster list and MRCC coordination.
- Fire response: fire dynamics, FSS Code detection, fixed CO2, water mist and foam systems, BA and firefighting tactics.
- Damage control: flooding assessment, plugging and shoring, emergency pumping, free surface effect and grounding.
- Survival craft and evacuation: lifejackets, immersion suits, free-fall lifeboats, liferafts, MES, EPIRB and SART.
- SAR and crisis management: IAMSAR, search patterns, MEDEVAC, shore crisis team, media, cyber and piracy emergencies.
- Integrating project: full emergency and evacuation plan and combined drill for a specific ship type.
Syllabus of the Professional Diploma in Integrated Shipboard Emergency Response
8 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Fundamentals of maritime emergency management and regulatory framework
- 1.1. Introduction to emergency management on board: classification of marine casualties, principles of rapid response and the chain of command in a crisis
- 1.2. The SOLAS regulatory framework (Chapter III): international regulations on life-saving appliances and arrangements and contingency plans
- 1.3. The International Safety Management (ISM) Code: emergency preparedness, standard operating procedures and mandatory drills
- 1.4. The STCW Convention (Tables A-VI/2 and A-VI/3): minimum competences in proficiency in survival craft and advanced firefighting
- 1.5. Organization of the muster list: assignment of duties, muster stations, alarm signals and staff responsibilities
- 1.6. External support bodies and rescue services: coordination with maritime rescue coordination centers (MRCC), SAR services and shore response
- 1.7. Safety culture and the human factor: human behavior under extreme stress, panic prevention and leadership in emergencies
- 1.8. Muster list and emergency instructions
Fire detection, alarm and response systems on board
- 2.1. Fire theory and the dynamics of marine fires: classes of fire, spread in enclosed spaces and flashover and backdraught phenomena
- 2.2. Fire detection and alarm systems: smoke, heat and flame detectors and centralized monitoring under the IMO FSS Code
- 2.3. Fixed fire-extinguishing systems: operation of CO2, water mist (hi-fog), high-expansion foam and clean agent systems
- 2.4. Portable and personal protective equipment: use of extinguishers, firefighter's outfits, self-contained breathing apparatus (BA) and EEBDs
- 2.5. Fire control strategies in engine rooms: fuel isolation, emergency stops, closing of fire flaps and ventilation
- 2.6. Fire control in accommodation and on deck: techniques for entering enclosed spaces, tactical ventilation and hose lines
- 2.7. Periodic firefighting drills: design of realistic scenarios, evaluation of response times and equipment maintenance
- 2.8. Post-fire investigation
Damage control, flooding and emergency stability
- 3.1. Initial damage control assessment: identifying the type of leak, inspecting watertight bulkheads and assessing the risk of sinking
- 3.2. Plugging and shoring techniques: use of timber, wedges, collision mats, quick-setting cement and hydraulic clamps
- 3.3. Operation of the emergency bilge system: bilge pumps, portable electric pumps, direct bilge injection and cross-connections
- 3.4. Stability management in emergencies: calculating the free surface effect of firefighting or flood water and the remaining reserve of buoyancy
- 3.5. Management of accidental stranding and grounding: bottom inspection procedures, heel control and calculation of safe refloating
- 3.6. The onboard damage control plan: interpreting subdivision drawings, remote valves and watertight doors
- 3.7. Damage control locker equipment and tools: maintenance, inventory and rapid deployment of the damage control party
- 3.8. Damage control plans
Survival craft and life-saving appliances at sea
- 4.1. Personal life-saving appliances: lifejackets, immersion suits, thermal protective aids (TPA) and lifebuoys
- 4.2. Rescue boats and fast rescue craft (FRC): securing, launching in rough seas, recovery and handling in adverse conditions
- 4.3. Lifeboats (enclosed and free-fall): boarding procedures, hydraulic release, self-contained air support systems and sprinkler systems
- 4.4. Inflatable liferafts: hydrostatic release units (HRU), davit launching, manual release and righting capsized liferafts
- 4.5. Marine evacuation systems (MES): operation of chutes and inflatable slides and mass evacuation of passengers on Ro-Ro ships and cruise ships
- 4.6. Maintenance and inspection of life-saving appliances: periodic checks, servicing by an approved service station and load tests
- 4.7. Emergency signaling and location equipment: EPIRBs, radar and AIS search and rescue transmitters (SART), line-throwing appliances and flares
- 4.8. Life-saving equipment and its inspection
Evacuation and abandon ship procedures
- 5.1. The decision to abandon ship: the master's criteria and assessment of irreparable loss of buoyancy or uncontrolled fire
- 5.2. General abandon ship alarm protocol: activation of sound and light signals, public address announcements and the evacuation order
- 5.3. Guiding and mustering passengers and crew: controlling the flow of people, clearing escape routes and emergency lighting
- 5.4. Survival craft boarding procedure: assignment of priorities, headcount, securing and safe lowering
- 5.5. Actions immediately after abandonment: moving away from a burning or sinking ship, grouping survival craft and use of the sea anchor
- 5.6. Managing survival at sea: rationing of water and food, prevention of hypothermia and seasickness and maintaining morale
- 5.7. Evacuation procedures on passenger ships: crowd management and training in human behavior in a crisis
- 5.8. Evacuation of passenger ships
Maritime search and rescue (SAR) and rescue operations
- 6.1. The International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual: Volume III (mobile facilities) and search patterns
- 6.2. Coordination between the ship and MRCCs: distress message formats (MAYDAY, PAN PAN), GMDSS communications and position updates
- 6.3. Search patterns at sea: expanding square, sector, parallel track and search coordinated with aircraft
- 6.4. Helicopter rescue operations (MEDEVAC): preparing the winching area on deck, visual signals, earthing the hoist cable and safety
- 6.5. Techniques for recovering survivors from the water: man-overboard maneuvers (Williamson, Scharnow), rescue nets and recovery cradles
- 6.6. Advanced first aid in maritime emergencies: treatment of severe hypothermia, near-drowning, trauma and CPR on board
- 6.7. Transfer of personnel at sea: vessel-to-vessel operations, use of personnel transfer baskets (Billy Pugh) and motion-compensated gangways
- 6.8. Cooperation with rescue coordination centers
Crisis management, emergency communication and cyber emergencies
- 7.1. Management of the shore crisis team: role of the company's emergency response team and logistical and technical support to the ship
- 7.2. Crisis communication strategy: dealing with the media, preparing official statements and managing public information
- 7.3. Care for families and victims: assistance protocols on board and in port, repatriation and post-traumatic psychological support
- 7.4. Preliminary investigation of the emergency: preservation of evidence, safeguarding VDR (black box) data and communication records
- 7.5. Response to emergencies caused by cyberattacks: protocols for isolating navigation and machinery networks in the event of hijacking or IT/OT failures
- 7.6. Emergencies from unlawful acts and piracy: citadel procedures, ship security alert system (SSAS) and anti-boarding protocols
- 7.7. Debriefing and post-incident analysis: evaluating the effectiveness of the response, identifying failures and updating the SMS
- 7.8. Communication with families and the media
Integrating project: comprehensive emergency and evacuation plan and technical drill
- 8.1. Definition of the study ship: selection of the ship type (tanker, container ship, ferry or multipurpose vessel) and its associated risks
- 8.2. Preparation of the risk assessment matrix: identification of critical scenarios (engine room fire, collision, flooding or abandonment)
- 8.3. Design of the emergency response plan (SOPEP/SMPEP/SMS): drafting standard operating procedures for immediate action
- 8.4. Organization of the muster list and escape routes: design of the allocation of duties, evacuation plans and calculation of muster times
- 8.5. Design of a complex emergency drill script: structuring a practical exercise that combines fire, flooding and partial or total evacuation
- 8.6. Inspection and audit plan for life-saving appliances: preparation of checklists and a maintenance program for SOLAS equipment
- 8.7. Evaluation of the drill
- 8.8. Final presentation: defense of the comprehensive emergency and evacuation plan before a committee of maritime safety inspectors and ISM auditors
Duration and format of the Professional Diploma in Integrated Shipboard Emergency Response
It is 800 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.
Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Eng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
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 FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Eng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Eng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Eng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives of the Professional Diploma in Integrated Shipboard Emergency Response
Career opportunities after the Professional Diploma in Integrated Shipboard Emergency Response
Questions about the Professional Diploma in Integrated Shipboard Emergency Response
To safeguard the lives and physical integrity of everyone on board, getting people to safety in an orderly way when the ship can no longer protect them.
Yes, as part of search and rescue: the SAR module includes advanced first aid in maritime emergencies, such as severe hypothermia, near-drowning, trauma and CPR on board.
Evacuation is only one part. The diploma integrates firefighting, damage control, survival craft, abandon ship, search and rescue and shore-based crisis management into one emergency response system.
No. Navalis Institute teaches the subject matter, including the content of the STCW competences it refers to; official STCW certificates are issued by the competent maritime authority after training at approved centers.
Yes. It is also aimed at safety professionals, emergency responders and consultants with experience in emergency management; the admission interview confirms that the program fits your profile.
Through case studies and exercises in each module and an integrating project in which you prepare a complete emergency and evacuation plan, including risk matrix, muster list, drill script and inspection plan for a specific ship type.
A professional diploma issued by Navalis Institute, together with the emergency plan and documents you develop during the program.
Fully online, through a virtual campus available 24/7 with live sessions that are recorded and personalized tutoring. The diploma comprises 800 hours across 8 modules of 100 hours each.
More programs in Safety and survival
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.
- Profile: aimed at deck and engineer officers, ship and company safety staff, occupational health and safety professionals, emergency response team members, facility managers and safety consultants and auditors; training or experience in emergency services, nursing, medicine, civil protection, firefighting, security forces or the maritime sector is recommended, together with basic knowledge of first aid, risk prevention and safety rules.
- Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
- Technical resources: a device with internet access to use the virtual campus, an up-to-date web browser and basic office software skills.
- Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrollmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.
Ask us before you enroll
Leave your details and admissions will write to you to answer any questions. If you are already sure, you can apply and pay in the same session.