Master's in Navigation and Ship Maneuvering
This master's prepares you to master safe and efficient navigation and ship maneuvering. It covers everything from advanced passage planning and electronic navigation to shiphandling theory, berthing, anchoring and emergency maneuvers, so you can make critical decisions under pressure and lead bridge teams in complex environments, building the skills to stand out as a leader in the maritime industry.
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 Master's in Navigation and Ship Maneuvering?
This master's covers the full set of bridge competencies, from position fixing to handling a large ship alongside. You will study buoyancy, stability, ship motions and the rudders, propellers and thrusters that govern maneuverability; coastal navigation and dead reckoning with charts, publications, compass correction, tides and the IALA buoyage system; celestial navigation and GNSS, including DGPS, SBAS, vulnerabilities and backup systems; radar, ARPA, AIS, ECDIS and integrated bridge systems; COLREG in depth; shiphandling theory, including propeller walk, turning circles, stopping distances, wind, current, squat and interaction; port maneuvers with mooring lines, tugs, anchoring, locks and canals; emergency maneuvers such as man overboard, towing, heavy weather, ice, grounding and loss of steering; meteorology for navigation; and bridge resource management, voyage planning under IMO A.893, fatigue and leadership.
What sets this master's apart: it treats navigation and maneuvering as one continuous skill set, linking the passage plan, the electronic aids and the rules of the road with the physical behavior of the ship in wind, current and shallow water; it gives special weight to port maneuvers, tug operations and emergency situations, analyzing real collisions and incidents; it develops the human side of the bridge through BRM, situational awareness and the master-pilot relationship; and it closes with a Final Project in which you prepare a complete berth-to-berth navigation and maneuvering plan for a real port and validate it through simulation.
Program highlights
- Ship behavior and maneuverability: stability, ship motions, rudders, propellers, azimuth thrusters and pods.
- Coastal, celestial and satellite navigation, with GNSS vulnerabilities and backup methods.
- Radar, ARPA, AIS, ECDIS and integrated bridge systems, used prudently and with awareness of their limits.
- COLREG in depth, with analysis of real collisions and lessons learned.
- Shiphandling theory and port maneuvers: berthing, unberthing, tug work, anchoring, locks and canals.
- Emergency maneuvers, meteorology for navigation and bridge resource management, closing with a Final Project.
Syllabus of the Master's in Navigation and Ship Maneuvering
11 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Foundations of navigation and ship architecture
- 1.1. Principles of buoyancy and transverse and longitudinal stability
- 1.2. Ship behavior at sea: rolling, pitching and heaving
- 1.3. Merchant ship types and their influence on maneuvering
- 1.4. Steering elements: rudder, propellers and tunnel thrusters
- 1.5. Azimuth thrusters, pods and high-maneuverability systems
- 1.6. Nautical terminology and organization of the bridge
- 1.7. Ship documentation and mandatory certificates
- 1.8. Responsibilities of the officer of the watch under the STCW Convention
- 1.9. Organization of the navigational watch
- 1.10. Introduction to human factors in navigation
Coastal navigation and dead reckoning
- 2.1. Nautical charts, projections and scales
- 2.2. Nautical publications: sailing directions, lists of lights and notices to mariners
- 2.3. Courses, bearings and relative bearings
- 2.4. Compass correction: magnetic variation and deviation
- 2.5. Position fixing by bearings, transits and distances
- 2.6. Dead reckoning and its accumulated error
- 2.7. Allowing for current and leeway
- 2.8. Tides: calculating heights and times
- 2.9. The IALA buoyage system
- 2.10. Planning coastal passages and choosing landfall points
Celestial and satellite navigation
- 3.1. Celestial coordinates and the navigational triangle
- 3.2. Using the sextant and altitude corrections
- 3.3. Lines of position and celestial fixes
- 3.4. Latitude by meridian altitude and by Polaris
- 3.5. Determining compass error by celestial observation
- 3.6. GNSS: GPS, Galileo, GLONASS and BeiDou
- 3.7. DGPS differential corrections and SBAS systems
- 3.8. Integrity, accuracy and vulnerabilities of satellite positioning
- 3.9. Backup systems and inertial navigation
- 3.10. Comparing traditional and electronic methods
Radar, ARPA, AIS and ECDIS
- 4.1. Principles of marine radar and the X and S bands
- 4.2. Interpreting the radar picture and false echoes
- 4.3. Radar plotting: relative and true motion
- 4.4. ARPA: target acquisition, tracking and alarms
- 4.5. The Automatic Identification System (AIS)
- 4.6. Electronic navigational charts (ENC) and the S-57 standard
- 4.7. ECDIS: functions, configuration and alarms
- 4.8. Route planning and checking in ECDIS
- 4.9. Integrated bridge systems (IBS) and integrated navigation systems (INS)
- 4.10. Limitations and prudent use of electronic aids
International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREG)
- 5.1. Scope and definitions of the regulations
- 5.2. Lookout and safe speed
- 5.3. Risk of collision and action to avoid collision
- 5.4. Navigation in narrow channels
- 5.5. Traffic separation schemes
- 5.6. Vessels in sight of one another: head-on, crossing and overtaking situations
- 5.7. Responsibilities between vessels
- 5.8. Conduct in restricted visibility
- 5.9. Lights, shapes and sound and light signals
- 5.10. Analysis of real collisions and lessons learned
Shiphandling theory
- 6.1. Forces acting on a ship during maneuvers
- 6.2. Propeller effects: transverse thrust and propeller wash
- 6.3. Rudder action and its effectiveness according to speed
- 6.4. Turning circle, advance, transfer and tactical diameter
- 6.5. Stopping the ship: distances and times
- 6.6. Effect of wind on the ship's freeboard and superstructure
- 6.7. Effect of current on maneuvering
- 6.8. Squat and navigation in shallow water
- 6.9. Ship-to-ship and bank interaction
- 6.10. IMO maneuverability standards and trials
Port maneuvers: berthing, unberthing and anchoring
- 7.1. Planning the port maneuver
- 7.2. Communication with the pilot and with shore
- 7.3. Using mooring lines: head and stern lines, breast lines and springs
- 7.4. Berthing with wind and current
- 7.5. Unberthing and leaving port
- 7.6. Maneuvering with tugs: tug types and working techniques
- 7.7. Anchoring: choosing the anchorage and calculating scope
- 7.8. Anchor watch and detecting dragging
- 7.9. Maneuvering twin-screw ships and ships with bow thrusters
- 7.10. Maneuvers in locks and canals
Maneuvers in special and emergency situations
- 8.1. Man overboard: Williamson, Anderson and Scharnow turns
- 8.2. Towing at sea and being towed
- 8.3. Heavy weather navigation: heaving to and running before the sea
- 8.4. Navigation in ice and polar waters
- 8.5. Grounding: immediate action and refloating
- 8.6. Action after a collision
- 8.7. Loss of steering or propulsion
- 8.8. Search and rescue according to the IAMSAR Manual
- 8.9. Abandoning ship and life-saving appliances
- 8.10. Simulation of emergencies on the bridge
Meteorology and oceanography applied to navigation
- 9.1. The atmosphere, pressure and winds
- 9.2. Air masses, fronts and depressions
- 9.3. Interpreting weather reports and charts
- 9.4. Waves: generation, propagation and swell
- 9.5. Ocean and tidal currents
- 9.6. Tropical cyclones: recognition and avoidance maneuvers
- 9.7. Fog and restricted visibility
- 9.8. Weather routing
- 9.9. Maritime weather services and NAVTEX
- 9.10. Weather-related decision-making on board
Bridge resource management and navigation safety
- 10.1. Principles of bridge resource management (BRM)
- 10.2. Situational awareness and workload management
- 10.3. Communication within the bridge team
- 10.4. The master-pilot relationship
- 10.5. Voyage planning according to IMO Resolution A.893
- 10.6. Checklists and safety management system (ISM) procedures
- 10.7. Alarm management and fatigue
- 10.8. Cybersecurity of navigation systems
- 10.9. Maritime accident investigation
- 10.10. Leadership and decision-making on the bridge
Final Project
- 11.1. Choosing the case study and the port for a comprehensive navigation and maneuvering plan
- 11.2. Defining objectives and scope
- 11.3. Review of the state of the art and applicable regulations
- 11.4. Collecting nautical, weather and port data
- 11.5. Planning the complete voyage from berth to berth
- 11.6. Designing the port entry, berthing and departure maneuvers
- 11.7. Risk analysis and mitigation measures
- 11.8. Validating the proposal through simulation
- 11.9. Writing the final report
- 11.10. Presentation and defense before an evaluation panel
Duration and format of the Master's in Navigation and Ship Maneuvering
It is 1,500 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 Master's in Navigation and Ship Maneuvering
Career opportunities after the Master's in Navigation and Ship Maneuvering
Questions about the Master's in Navigation and Ship Maneuvering
Ships, especially large merchant vessels such as container ships, bulk carriers, tankers and cruise ships, although the principles of navigation and maneuvering apply to any vessel.
Yes. The program uses simulated scenarios for passage planning, radar and ECDIS work, port maneuvers and emergencies, and your Final Project is validated through simulation.
No. It strengthens your navigation and shiphandling skills, but certificates of competency are issued by the maritime administration under STCW, according to its requirements for sea service and approved training.
Yes, with a related degree or experience in maritime or port operations, for example in VTS, ship management or marine engineering. The admission interview confirms your fit.
A working knowledge of the IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases is helpful, since the program uses standard bridge and VHF phraseology in its scenarios.
The program is online, with live sessions, real case studies and simulation exercises, designed for professionals who are working, including at sea.
Through simulation exercises, passage plans, procedures and checklists, short module tests and the Final Project.
A Navalis Institute master's certificate and an operational portfolio with passage plans, maneuvering plans, procedures and your Final Project.
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: degree in nautical science, maritime transport or naval or marine engineering, or proven professional experience as a deck officer, master or in a position of responsibility in navigation.
- Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
- Technical resources: computer with webcam and microphone and a high-speed internet connection; a second monitor is recommended for virtual navigation tools.
- 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.