Master’s degree1,500 h · Online · 11 modules
Master's in Innovation in Professional Diving and Underwater Operations
This master's prepares you to lead innovation in professional diving and underwater work. You will connect hyperbaric physiology, diving equipment and surface support with advanced inspection and intervention techniques, underwater robotics, photogrammetry and digital data management, and you will learn to plan safe dive operations, respond to emergencies and run underwater service companies with a focus on safety, compliance and sustainability.
Duration1,500 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules11
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About the program
What is the Master's in Innovation in Professional Diving and Underwater Operations?
This master's approaches professional diving as a highly specialized technical, human and operational activity. You will study the differences between recreational, scientific, commercial, industrial, military and public safety diving; hyperbaric physiology, gas laws, decompression, breathing mixtures and diving medicine; scuba, surface-supplied and bell diving systems, gas panels, communications and equipment maintenance; inspection, measurement, cutting, welding, lifting and repair work on hulls, piles, pipelines and offshore structures; collaboration between divers and ROVs, AUVs and underwater drones; photogrammetry, GIS, digital twins and AI applied to underwater data; dive planning, risk assessment and emergency response; new applications in offshore wind, habitat restoration and underwater heritage; and the regulation and business management of diving companies.
What sets this master's apart: it treats innovation as a way to raise productivity while reducing human exposure, combining diver work with robotic systems and digital workflows that turn underwater observations into verifiable information; it covers the full cycle from equipment and dive plans to contracts, budgets, audits and performance indicators; it includes a module on scientific diving, underwater archaeology and cultural heritage; and it closes with a Final Project in which you design a complete underwater operation for an industrial, offshore, aquaculture, marine energy, heritage or conservation case.
Program typeMaster’s degree
ModeOnline
Duration1,500 hours
Modules11
Start1 December
Program highlights
- Hyperbaric physiology and diving medicine: decompression, breathing mixtures, fatigue, stress and fitness to dive.
- Professional diving equipment: surface-supplied systems, gas panels, bells, hyperbaric chambers, communications and redundancy.
- Advanced inspection and intervention: measurement, cleaning, cutting, welding, lifting and repair of submerged structures.
- Hybrid operations with ROVs, AUVs and sensors, plus photogrammetry, GIS, digital twins and AI for underwater data.
- Dive planning, HAZID, emergency response and rescue, together with regulation and business management of diving companies.
- Final Project: a complete, innovative underwater operation with technical, economic and environmental assessment.
Syllabus
Syllabus of the Master's in Innovation in Professional Diving and Underwater Operations
11 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Module 1
Foundations of underwater activities and the evolution of professional diving
- 1.1. Core concepts of professional diving and the differences between recreational, scientific, commercial, industrial, military and public safety diving
- 1.2. Historical evolution of equipment, techniques, procedures and fields of application of underwater operations
- 1.3. Professional sectors: underwater construction, inspection, offshore maintenance, aquaculture, archaeology, research and emergencies
- 1.4. Organization of work teams with divers, supervisors, tenders, medical staff, camera operators and surface technicians
- 1.5. Constraints of the underwater environment: pressure, visibility, temperature, currents, waves, depth and pollution
- 1.6. Principles of hyperbaric physiology applied to the safe planning and execution of professional dives
- 1.7. The relationship between technological innovation, productivity, safety, sustainability and reduced human exposure
- 1.8. Identification of risks related to depth, breathing gases, entrapment, loss of communication and supply failures
- 1.9. Trends in automation, digitalization, collaborative robotics and assisted underwater operations
- 1.10. Building an integrated view of professional diving as a highly specialized technical, human and operational activity
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 2
Hyperbaric physiology, diving medicine and human performance
- 2.1. The body's physiological response to ambient pressure and the changes that occur during descent, bottom time and ascent
- 2.2. Gas laws applied to ventilation, buoyancy, decompression and breathing gas consumption
- 2.3. Decompression sickness, barotrauma, narcosis, gas toxicity and incidents caused by contaminated breathing gas
- 2.4. Planning of dive profiles, tables, dive computers, stops and decompression procedures
- 2.5. Breathing mixtures, nitrox, heliox and trimix, and gas selection by depth, duration and type of work
- 2.6. Fatigue, cold, stress, physical workload, limited visibility and human factors that affect diver performance
- 2.7. Medical assessment, fitness to work, contraindications and health monitoring of underwater personnel
- 2.8. First aid, oxygen therapy, evacuation and coordination with hyperbaric medicine services
- 2.9. Psychological management of confinement, operational pressure, emergencies and decision-making underwater
- 2.10. Design of preventive strategies that protect health and sustain performance during demanding operations
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 3
Professional diving equipment, supply systems and surface support
- 3.1. Scuba, semi-closed and surface-supplied equipment used in underwater work
- 3.2. Helmets, full-face masks, regulators, umbilicals, harnesses, drysuits, thermal systems and buoyancy devices
- 3.3. Compressed air systems, gas panels, compressors, storage banks and breathing gas distribution
- 3.4. Hardwired and wireless communications between divers, supervisors and support teams
- 3.5. Video, lighting, recording, telemetry and technical documentation systems for underwater operations
- 3.6. Wet bells, closed bells, hyperbaric chambers and transfer-under-pressure systems
- 3.7. Inspection, maintenance, cleaning, disinfection and configuration control of diving equipment
- 3.8. Testing of air quality, watertightness, pressure, flow, alarms and backup systems
- 3.9. Management of spare parts, consumables, tools, certificates and maintenance records
- 3.10. Configuration of reliable, redundant support systems adapted to the planned depth and mission
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 4
Advanced underwater work, inspection and intervention techniques
- 4.1. Techniques for movement, positioning, communication and body control during professional work
- 4.2. Visual inspection of hulls, propellers, piles, docks, pipelines, cables and offshore structures
- 4.3. Underwater measurement of thickness, potentials, deformation, corrosion, cracks and material loss
- 4.4. Cleaning, cutting, welding, drilling, assembly, disassembly and repair of submerged components
- 4.5. Use of hydraulic, pneumatic, electric and hand tools in hyperbaric environments
- 4.6. Lifting and load-handling techniques, lift bags, rigging and recovery of submerged objects
- 4.7. Applications in aquaculture: maintenance of nets, cages, moorings and feeding systems
- 4.8. Interventions in ports, dams, power plants, outfalls, industrial facilities and hydraulic works
- 4.9. Quality control, recording of findings, defect coding and production of technical evidence
- 4.10. Development of intervention procedures that combine precision, safety and operational efficiency
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 5
Underwater robotics, sensors and collaboration between divers and unmanned vehicles
- 5.1. Applications of ROVs, AUVs, underwater drones and hybrid vehicles in professional operations
- 5.2. Integration of cameras, sonars, environmental sensors and underwater positioning systems
- 5.3. Diver-ROV collaboration for inspection, surveillance, support, lighting and emergency assistance
- 5.4. Planning of combined missions to reduce human exposure in deep, confined or contaminated areas
- 5.5. Navigation and positioning with USBL, LBL, DVL, IMU and surface-installed references
- 5.6. Use of manipulators, robotic tools and remote intervention systems on subsea structures
- 5.7. Transmission of video, telemetry and operational data to control centers and digital platforms
- 5.8. Artificial intelligence for anomaly detection, image classification and decision support
- 5.9. Limitations related to communications, endurance, currents, visibility, entanglement and maneuvering precision
- 5.10. Design of hybrid operations that allocate tasks between people and robotic systems according to risk level
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 6
Digitalization, photogrammetry and smart management of underwater data
- 6.1. Structured capture of photos, video, sonar, measurements and environmental variables during the dive
- 6.2. Underwater photogrammetry to produce orthomosaics, 3D models and technical measurements
- 6.3. GIS and digital mapping applied to infrastructure, sites, habitats and work areas
- 6.4. Integration of underwater data with BIM, digital twins and asset management platforms
- 6.5. Tagging, synchronization, georeferencing, metadata and traceability of digital evidence
- 6.6. Image processing with color correction, stabilization, noise reduction and contrast enhancement
- 6.7. Data analytics to track corrosion, deformation, biofouling and the evolution of defects
- 6.8. Artificial intelligence to identify species, objects, cracks, welds and structural anomalies
- 6.9. Data protection, access control, backups and preservation of technical records
- 6.10. Building digital workflows that turn underwater observations into verifiable information for decision-making
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 7
Operational planning, safety and underwater emergency response
- 7.1. Defining the scope, depth, duration, resources, tasks and operating limits of a dive mission
- 7.2. Risk assessment through task analysis, criticality matrices, HAZID and pre-dive briefings
- 7.3. Preparing the dive plan with profiles, gases, communications, tools, backup equipment and required personnel
- 7.4. Coordination with vessels, ports, cranes, platforms, control centers and simultaneous operations
- 7.5. Procedures for loss of supply, communication failure, entrapment, injury, disorientation or contamination
- 7.6. Diver rescue, recovery of people, first aid and evacuation to medical facilities
- 7.7. Weather and oceanographic management through operating windows, abort criteria and continuous monitoring
- 7.8. Permits to work, energy isolation, access control and protection from marine traffic
- 7.9. Drills, emergency exercises, post-event analysis and updating of procedures
- 7.10. Building repeatable operations that maintain control, redundancy and the ability to respond to incidents
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 8
Innovation, sustainability and new applications of professional diving
- 8.1. Innovations in materials, suits, thermal systems, communications, lighting and breathing equipment
- 8.2. Exoskeletons, assistive devices and technologies designed to reduce fatigue and physical workload
- 8.3. Telemedicine, biometric monitoring and remote supervision of the diver's physiological variables
- 8.4. Applications of professional diving in offshore wind, ocean energy and maintenance of renewable infrastructure
- 8.5. Work in ecological restoration, reef monitoring, habitat recovery and debris removal
- 8.6. Low-impact working techniques in sensitive ecosystems and marine protected areas
- 8.7. Innovation applied to underwater archaeology, museum display, scientific tourism and heritage documentation
- 8.8. Entrepreneurship, service development and business models for underwater service companies
- 8.9. Technology readiness assessment, prototype validation and safe adoption of new solutions
- 8.10. Building roadmaps to introduce innovation without compromising safety, compliance or sustainability
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 9
Regulation, operations management and business management in professional diving
- 9.1. Legal framework for professional diving, occupational safety and activities in hyperbaric environments
- 9.2. Responsibilities of the client, contractor, supervisor, team leader, diver and support personnel
- 9.3. Certifications, qualifications, medical fitness, records and documentation required for professional operations
- 9.4. Management of contracts, technical scope, budgets, insurance, liabilities and subcontracting
- 9.5. Safety, quality, environmental and business continuity management systems in diving companies
- 9.6. Financial planning covering personnel, equipment, vessels, gases, maintenance and mobilization costs
- 9.7. Audits, inspections, incident investigation and follow-up of corrective actions
- 9.8. Client management, technical proposals, tenders, reports, deliverables and change control
- 9.9. Performance indicators for safety, productivity, availability, quality and profitability
- 9.10. Leading underwater organizations focused on innovation, compliance and operational excellence
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 10
Scientific diving, underwater archaeology and cultural heritage
- 10.1. Foundations of scientific diving
- 10.2. Underwater biological sampling protocols
- 10.3. Underwater archaeology: survey methods
- 10.4. The 2001 UNESCO Convention on underwater cultural heritage
- 10.5. Documentation and recording of shipwrecks
- 10.6. Conservation of archaeological materials
- 10.7. Scientific photography and video
- 10.8. Planning of scientific campaigns
- 10.9. Coordination with institutions and permits
- 10.10. Outreach and museum display of submerged heritage
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 11
Final Project
- 11.1. Defining the case study: industrial inspection, offshore operation, archaeology, aquaculture, marine energy or environmental conservation
- 11.2. Diagnosis of the environment, depth, tasks, risks, stakeholders, resources, constraints and regulatory requirements
- 11.3. Design of the diving system with equipment, breathing gas supply, communications, surface support and redundancy
- 11.4. Integration of ROVs, sensors, cameras, positioning, photogrammetry and digital tools into the proposed solution
- 11.5. Preparation of the dive plan with profiles, gases, decompression, logistics, personnel and operating windows
- 11.6. Development of the safety, emergency, rescue, hyperbaric medicine and operational continuity plan
- 11.7. Design of the data flow, documentation, quality control, indicators and technical reporting
- 11.8. Economic, environmental, regulatory and technological assessment of the innovation introduced
- 11.9. Writing the complete technical report with schedule, budget, risks, methodology and expected results
- 11.10. Presentation of the Final Project with technical, human, operational, economic and environmental validation of the underwater solution
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your pacePlan your pace
Duration and format of the Master's in Innovation in Professional Diving and Underwater Operations
It is 1,500 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
29
months to finish
125 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.
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
Objectives of the Master's in Innovation in Professional Diving and Underwater Operations
01Develop and implement innovative solutions to specific challenges in professional diving, such as custom underwater tools designed with 3D printing and composite materials for better ergonomics and function.
02Manage complex underwater projects with agile, robust risk management methods adapted to the underwater environment and specialized equipment, optimizing resources.
03Lead professional diving teams with a focus on safety, efficiency and sustainability, applying dive-specific risk protocols, clear communication and collaborative decision-making.
04Master advanced techniques and emerging technologies for underwater exploration and work, including USBL, INS and DVL navigation and positioning systems.
05Create added value for the underwater industry by developing and validating prototypes, new products and services for performance, safety and commercial viability.
06Assess and mitigate the risks of professional underwater operations with emergency response plans covering rescue, evacuation and medical support.
Careers
Career opportunities after the Master's in Innovation in Professional Diving and Underwater Operations
Frequently asked questions
Questions about the Master's in Innovation in Professional Diving and Underwater Operations
On professional diving: commercial, industrial, offshore, scientific and public safety work, with attention to the equipment, procedures, management and innovation that these activities require.
Yes. It covers both technological innovation, such as ROVs, sensors, photogrammetry, digital twins and AI, and innovation in working techniques, dive planning and safety procedures.
No. Navalis Institute teaches the subject matter in depth, but professional diving qualifications and medical fitness certificates are issued by the competent authorities and certifying bodies in each country.
Professional and technical divers, diving instructors, managers of diving centers and underwater service companies, engineers, marine biologists, underwater archaeologists and maritime safety and rescue professionals.
Yes. A dedicated module covers scientific diving, biological sampling, underwater archaeology, shipwreck documentation, conservation and the UNESCO framework for underwater cultural heritage.
Online, with flexible access to the materials and a practical approach based on real operational cases, designed for working professionals.
Through case studies, dive plans, risk assessments and assignments throughout the modules, and a Final Project in which you design a complete underwater operation.
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Admission process
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Entry requirements
- Profile: a degree in marine sciences, engineering, sports science or a related field, or demonstrable professional experience in diving or underwater activities.
- Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
- Technical resources: a computer with camera and microphone, a high-speed internet connection and software for viewing documents and joining videoconferences.
- 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.
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