Professional Diploma in Navigation Software, Electronic Charts and Marine Apps
This professional diploma takes you into the digital tools that underpin modern navigation. You will learn to work with everything from advanced electronic chart systems to the maritime apps that are changing the industry, and to integrate onboard sensor data into software that improves route planning, safety on board and data-driven decision-making, whether in professional or recreational navigation.
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 Navigation Software, Electronic Charts and Marine Apps?
This professional diploma looks at navigation from the software side. You will study the IHO standards behind electronic navigational charts (S-57, S-52, S-63 and the new S-100 family), the regulatory role of ECDIS and how it differs from ECS, marine geodesy and data quality; the NMEA 0183, NMEA 2000 and OneNet protocols, AIS decoding and sensor integration through gateways and Signal K; the day-to-day operation of ECDIS, OpenCPN and TimeZero for route planning, radar overlay and route checking; the architecture and interface design of mobile and web nautical apps; weather routing with GRIB data, isochrones and polar diagrams; and marine GIS, spatial databases, AIS analytics and the maintenance, back-up and cyber security of navigation software on board.
What sets this diploma apart: it combines the user's view of the bridge with the developer's and integrator's view, so you learn not only to operate chart and routing software but also how its data flows, from the NMEA sentence or the S-101 cell to the screen of a tablet; hands-on work with open tools such as OpenCPN, Signal K, QGIS, PostGIS and Python geospatial libraries; and an integrating project in which you design or configure a complete solution, such as a nautical app, an integrated ECDIS/ECS set-up or a weather routing platform.
Program highlights
- Electronic charts and standards: IHO S-57, S-52, S-63, S-100, S-101 and S-102, ENC cells and quality control with S-58.
- Onboard data networks: NMEA 0183, NMEA 2000, OneNet, AIS messages, gateways and the Signal K protocol.
- Navigation platforms: advanced ECDIS settings, OpenCPN and plugins, TimeZero, radar overlay, CPA and TCPA.
- Marine app development: native and cross-platform apps, offline maps, vector tiles and sea-proof UI/UX.
- Weather routing and marine GIS: GRIB and NetCDF, isochrones, polars, QGIS, PostGIS and AIS data analytics.
- Integrating project: design or configuration of a nautical software and digital chart solution.
Syllabus of the Professional Diploma in Navigation Software, Electronic Charts and Marine Apps
8 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Fundamentals of digital nautical cartography and international standards
- 1.1. Evolution of maritime cartography: from paper charts to Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC) and marine geographic information systems
- 1.2. International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) standards: S-57 (data model), S-52 (presentation and symbol specifications) and S-63 (chart encryption)
- 1.3. The new universal S-100 standard: the S-101 data model (next-generation ENC), S-102 (high-resolution bathymetry) and interoperable real-time services
- 1.4. Electronic chart display and information systems (ECDIS): SOLAS regulatory requirements, type approval of equipment and differences from ECS (Electronic Chart System)
- 1.5. Marine geodesy and chart datums: the WGS84 ellipsoid, Mercator projections and coordinate system transformations in the marine environment
- 1.6. Organization and structure of ENCs: cells, compilation scale bands, geographic objects, nautical attributes and safety updates (Notices to Mariners)
- 1.7. Quality control and inspection of chart data: validation of topological errors and attribute consistency with IHO S-58
- 1.8. S-57 and S-100 formats
Communication protocols, NMEA data integration and nautical sensors
- 2.1. The NMEA 0183 protocol: serial architecture (RS-422/RS-232), sentence structures (GPGGA, WIMWV, SDDPT), checksums and signal multiplexing
- 2.2. The NMEA 2000 (N2K) protocol: CAN bus architecture, PGN (Parameter Group Number) identifiers, plug-and-play connectivity and network termination
- 2.3. The NMEA OneNet standard: high-speed Ethernet marine networks, IPv6 architecture, network security and multichannel data streaming
- 2.4. Integration with AIS (Automatic Identification System): decoding of VDM/VDO messages, Class A and B, transponders and display of targets on screen
- 2.5. Connection and interfacing with onboard sensors: integration of GPS/GNSS, anemometer, echo sounder, log, gyrocompass and autopilot data
- 2.6. Real-time capture and filtering of nautical data: management of refresh rates, latency, packet loss and isolation from electromagnetic interference
- 2.7. Marine data gateways and converters: configuration of NMEA to USB, Wi-Fi and Ethernet interfaces and bidirectional conversion solutions (Signal K)
- 2.8. Serial and Ethernet communication protocols
Maritime navigation platforms and software (ECDIS, OpenCPN, MaxSea/TimeZero)
- 3.1. Advanced operation of ECDIS: setting of safety limits (safety depth and safety contour), anti-grounding alarms and route management
- 3.2. Open-source navigation software (OpenCPN): architecture, installation, management of vector and raster charts and configuration of plugins
- 3.3. High-performance professional systems (TimeZero/MaxSea): 2D/3D graphics engine, radar overlay and dynamic bathymetric models (PBG)
- 3.4. Maritime route planning and optimization: great circle and rhumb line calculations, waypoints, traffic separation schemes (TSS) and draft restrictions
- 3.5. Software-assisted celestial navigation and auxiliary calculations: sight reduction algorithms, digital nautical almanacs and computerized tide tables
- 3.6. Integration of marine radar systems (ARPA): automatic target acquisition, guard zones and calculation of CPA (Closest Point of Approach) and TCPA (Time to CPA)
- 3.7. Route simulation and checking: verification of navigational hazards, topographic alerts and simulation of passages before departure
- 3.8. Configuration of routes and alarms in navigation software
Development of maritime mobile and web applications (nautical apps)
- 4.1. The nautical app ecosystem: analysis of leading market solutions (Navionics, Boating, Savvy Navvy, MarineTraffic, VesselFinder)
- 4.2. Software architecture for marine mobile apps: native and cross-platform development (Flutter, React Native) focused on offline use and low energy consumption
- 4.3. Map and geolocation management on mobile devices: map SDKs, vector tile rendering, MBTiles and fast rendering of nautical charts
- 4.4. Integration of location services (mobile GPS/GNSS): management of location accuracy, geolocation APIs, digital compasses and local heading calculation
- 4.5. Development with the open Signal K protocol: JSON marine data architecture, the Signal K server, REST APIs and WebSockets for integrating onboard data
- 4.6. User interface and user experience design at sea (nautical UI/UX): contrast optimization for bright sunlight, red night mode and easy-to-tap buttons in a seaway
- 4.7. App-to-vessel connectivity over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: real-time reception of onboard instrument data on tablets and smartphones
- 4.8. Interface design for nautical users
Weather routing and marine data in the cloud
- 5.1. Marine weather data formats: structure of GRIB files (GRIB1/GRIB2), NetCDF and the APIs of global weather services (NOAA, ECMWF)
- 5.2. Weather route optimization algorithms: isochrone calculation, methods for minimizing passage time and optimizing fuel consumption
- 5.3. Integration of the vessel's speed polar: performance polar diagrams (sailing and motor vessels), assessment of true and apparent wind and sea state
- 5.4. Modeling and display of marine phenomena: overlay of wind fields, waves (height, period and direction), ocean currents and pressure charts
- 5.5. Real-time weather monitoring on board: reception of forecasts by VHF, NAVTEX, radiofacsimile and compressed satellite downloads on the high seas
- 5.6. Web GIS services and marine data servers: OGC architecture (WMS, WFS, WCS) applied to hydrographic portals and oceanographic data
- 5.7. Weather telemetry and cloud storage: ship-to-shore synchronization of local weather data to support nautical fleets
- 5.8. Integration of AIS data into applications
Maritime database management, marine GIS and data analysis
- 6.1. Marine Geographic Information Systems (marine GIS): spatial processing and analysis with QGIS and ArcGIS applied to coastal and nautical management
- 6.2. Spatial databases: storage and querying of nautical data with PostgreSQL/PostGIS, spatial indexes (GiST) and complex geographic operations
- 6.3. Large-scale analysis of maritime traffic data (AIS data analytics): processing of vessel position data, reconstruction of tracks and identification of navigation patterns
- 6.4. Bathymetric data management: processing of single-beam and multibeam echo sounder point clouds and generation of digital elevation models (DEM) of the seabed and contours
- 6.5. Nautical programming libraries and tools: Python (GDAL/OGR, PyProj, GeoPandas) and JavaScript (Leaflet, OpenLayers, Mapbox GL) for marine cartography
- 6.6. Maritime Spatial Data Infrastructures (MSDI): governance standards, metadata cataloguing (ISO 19115) and public access portals for hydrographic information
- 6.7. Cyber security in nautical software: protection against GPS spoofing and jamming, encryption of chart data and securing of onboard control applications
- 6.8. Visualization of marine data on web maps
Software maintenance, calibration and cyber security on board
- 7.1. Management of updates and patches on board: software life cycle in critical systems and updating of nautical charts and databases without loss of service
- 7.2. Calibration and verification of navigation software: data integration audits, digital compass deviation tests and adjustment of echo sounder offsets
- 7.3. Back-up and redundancy of nautical systems: configuration of primary and secondary servers, mirrored storage and recovery plans for hardware failures
- 7.4. Cyber security in marine data networks: segmentation of IT/OT networks on vessels, naval firewalls and control of removable devices (USB) on the bridge
- 7.5. Inspections and audits of nautical software: compliance with Port State Control (PSC) requirements, VMS (Vessel Monitoring System) checks and IMO checklists
- 7.6. Diagnosis and troubleshooting: analysis of NMEA communication logs, detection of data loops and resolution of software freezes
- 7.7. Operational safety and failsafe design: protocols for reverting to degraded or manual navigation when the digital chart system fails
- 7.8. Updates and license management
Integrating project: development or configuration of a nautical software and digital chart solution
- 8.1. Definition of the technical project: choice of the type of work (for example, a mobile nautical app, an integrated ECDIS/ECS set-up or a weather routing platform)
- 8.2. Design of the data architecture and NMEA integration: definition of the spatial data model, ingestion of NMEA/Signal K sentences and specification of sensors
- 8.3. Chart processing and integration: preparation and compilation of vector or raster chart cells following the IHO S-57/S-101 specifications
- 8.4. Development of the navigation engine or software module: implementation of route calculation algorithms, safety alert management, AIS target plotting or a GRIB data viewer
- 8.5. User interface design and usability testing: implementation of a nautical UI optimized for bridges or portable devices at sea
- 8.6. Technical validation and cyber security plan: assessment of real-time performance, stress testing and a data encryption protocol
- 8.7. Presentation of the solution developed
- 8.8. Final presentation: defense of the software or chart system developed before a panel of merchant navy masters, nautical software engineers and marine cartographers
Duration and format of the Professional Diploma in Navigation Software, Electronic Charts and Marine Apps
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 Navigation Software, Electronic Charts and Marine Apps
Career opportunities after the Professional Diploma in Navigation Software, Electronic Charts and Marine Apps
Questions about the Professional Diploma in Navigation Software, Electronic Charts and Marine Apps
Navigation and chart software (ECDIS, OpenCPN, TimeZero), the protocols that feed it (NMEA 0183, NMEA 2000, OneNet, AIS, Signal K), nautical mobile and web apps, weather routing tools and marine GIS and spatial databases.
That program deals with business software for marinas, charter and boatyards. This diploma is about navigation: electronic charts, onboard data networks, route planning, weather routing and the apps used at sea.
It helps but is not essential. Programming is introduced through practical examples in Python and JavaScript, and the integrating project can focus either on developing a module or on configuring and integrating existing software.
No. Navalis teaches the operation and configuration of ECDIS and related software, but statutory ECDIS training and watchkeeping certificates are issued by the competent maritime authority and its approved centers.
Mainly open or widely available tools such as OpenCPN, Signal K, QGIS, PostgreSQL/PostGIS and Python geospatial libraries, alongside demonstrations of professional systems such as ECDIS and TimeZero.
Yes. Two modules cover GPS spoofing and jamming, encryption of chart data, IT/OT network segmentation, control of USB devices on the bridge, back-up, redundancy and failsafe procedures.
Through practical exercises in each module and an integrating project in which you design or configure a nautical software solution and present it to a panel of navigation and software professionals.
Fully online, through a virtual campus available 24/7 with live sessions that are recorded. The diploma comprises 800 hours across 8 modules of about 100 hours each.
More programs in Bridge and navigation
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.
- Profile: aimed at merchant navy officers and masters, nautical and maritime transport students, pilots, surveyors and VTS staff, maritime companies and agencies and experienced recreational sailors; a degree or higher vocational qualification in computing, engineering or nautical studies, or proven experience in the maritime sector and with software, is recommended, together with familiarity with operating systems, basic networking and cartography; programming knowledge is an advantage.
- Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
- Technical resources: a computer with internet access and permission to install software and apps, plus an up-to-date web browser; a tablet or smartphone is useful for the app exercises.
- 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.