Professional Diploma in Maritime Accident Prevention
A comprehensive programme to identify and mitigate risks in the maritime environment, investigate accidents and manage emergencies. It is a private online professional programme with a Navalis Institute certificate.
Prior knowledge check
These are the skills this programme 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 programme is designed precisely for that.
What is the Professional Diploma in Maritime Accident Prevention?
This programme offers comprehensive training for professionals who want to strengthen their skills in identifying and mitigating risks in the maritime environment. You will learn to apply proven methodologies and put effective strategies in place to reduce the likelihood and impact of incidents, combining solid theory with practical tools that let you anticipate critical scenarios and make informed decisions to safeguard the crew, the cargo and the environment.
It stands out for its analysis of real cases, proactive risk management, up-to-date international regulations, drills and practical exercises, and the guidance of industry experts with extensive experience in maritime accident prevention. It is a private online professional programme with a Navalis Institute certificate.
Programme highlights
- Real case analysis: learn from past mistakes so they are not repeated.
- Proactive risk management: implement safety systems that anticipate hazards.
- Up-to-date international regulations: stay current with the latest maritime safety rules.
- Drills and practical exercises: test your skills in simulated emergency situations.
- Industry experts: learn from professionals with extensive experience in maritime accident prevention.
- Incident investigation: analyse the root causes of accidents and develop effective corrective measures.
Syllabus of the Professional Diploma in Maritime Accident Prevention
8 modules. Select a module to see its content.
International Regulatory Framework and Maritime Safety Management
- 1.1. Historical evolution of maritime safety: lessons learned from major maritime disasters
- 1.2. The SOLAS Convention (Safety of Life at Sea): structure, key chapters and continuous updating
- 1.3. The International Safety Management (ISM) Code: objectives, policies and Safety Management Systems (SMS)
- 1.4. The STCW Convention: training, certification and watchkeeping standards for preventing human error
- 1.5. Responsibilities of the Maritime Authority, the flag State and Port State Control (PSC) inspection
- 1.6. The role of classification societies and vetting inspections (SIRE, CDI) in risk prevention
- 1.7. Local and international regulatory frameworks for the protection of the marine environment (MARPOL) and operational risk management
- 1.8. ISM Code and safety management systems
Human Factors, Ergonomics and Organisational Risk Management
- 2.1. The human factor in the genesis of maritime accidents: fatigue, stress, complacency and work overload
- 2.2. Accident causation models: James Reason's Swiss Cheese Model, the Domino model and barrier analysis
- 2.3. Bridge and Engine Resource Management (BRM / ERM): teamwork, assertive communication and decision-making in a crisis
- 2.4. Ergonomics in the design of the bridge, engine room and deck equipment to reduce operational error
- 2.5. Safety Culture versus Just Culture: non-punitive reporting of incidents and near-misses
- 2.6. Assessing the physical and mental fitness of the crew: preventing substance use and managing rest on board
- 2.7. Leadership, situational awareness and change management in multicultural crews
- 2.8. Fatigue and rest hours
Causal Analysis and Maritime Casualty Investigation
- 3.1. The IMO Casualty Investigation Code (Accident Investigation Code)
- 3.2. Root cause analysis (RCA) methodologies: 5 Whys, Ishikawa diagram, Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) and TRIPOD Beta
- 3.3. Collecting and preserving evidence at the accident scene: VDR data, navigation records, samples and testimonies
- 3.4. Interviewing witnesses and crew: non-coercive interviewing techniques and cognitive biases in investigation
- 3.5. Assessing mechanical component failures, material fatigue and failures in automated control systems
- 3.6. Writing accident investigation reports: structuring findings, conclusions and safety recommendations
- 3.7. Analysis of real case studies: notable collisions, mass groundings, fires and sinkings
- 3.8. Root cause analysis methods
Prevention of Collisions, Groundings and Navigational Accidents
- 4.1. Critical analysis of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREG): operational interpretation and common errors
- 4.2. Preventing groundings and contacts: under-keel clearance (UKC), squat and bottom risk assessment
- 4.3. Risks of excessive or incorrect use of navigation technology (ECDIS, ARPA, AIS) and preventing screen fixation
- 4.4. Safe navigation procedures in adverse weather, reduced visibility and restricted waters
- 4.5. Pilotage and harbour towage operations: pilot-master communication interface and risk management in critical manoeuvres
- 4.6. Safety management in traffic separation schemes (TSS), high-density channels and fishing areas
- 4.7. Onboard and remote navigational audits as a preventive tool
- 4.8. Bridge resource management
Fire and Explosion Prevention and Engine Room Safety
- 5.1. Fire triangle and tetrahedron: ignition sources on board, hot surfaces and high-pressure fuel leaks
- 5.2. Fire risk assessment in engine rooms, cargo holds and accommodation
- 5.3. Early smoke, flame and gas detection systems; maintenance and reliability testing
- 5.4. Fixed fire-extinguishing systems (CO2, water mist / Hi-Fog, foam) and operational risks for the crew
- 5.5. Safety in bunkering, fuel transfer and hot work procedures
- 5.6. Explosive atmospheres (ATEX) and static electricity control on tankers (oil, chemical and gas carriers)
- 5.7. Organising the onboard firefighting team, effective drills and maintenance of SCBA equipment
- 5.8. Preventive maintenance in machinery spaces
Safety in Maritime Operations, on Deck and in Confined Spaces
- 6.1. Permit to Work (PTW) and operational risk analysis (JSA / HAZID) for high-risk tasks
- 6.2. Safe confined space entry procedures: gas monitoring, ventilation, O2 measurement and rescue protocol
- 6.3. Preventing accidents in mooring operations: snap-back zones and rope wear
- 6.4. Work at height and overboard: use of harnesses, lifelines and suspension protocols
- 6.5. Safety in cargo handling and lashing (containers, dry bulk, heavy and out-of-gauge cargo)
- 6.6. Preventing falls on the same and different levels, and housekeeping in deck work areas
- 6.7. Selection, inspection and correct use of marine-grade personal protective equipment (PPE)
- 6.8. Work permits and confined spaces
Emergency Management, Maritime Salvage and Survival
- 7.1. Onboard contingency plans (SOPEP / SMPEP) and preparedness for major emergencies
- 7.2. Response tactics for critical situations: man overboard (MOB), flooding, steering failure and loss of power (blackout)
- 7.3. Search and rescue (SAR) operations: applying the IAMSAR Manual and coordinating with MRCCs
- 7.4. Maritime salvage and assistance to ships in distress: LOF (Lloyd's Open Form) contracts, emergency towage and places of refuge
- 7.5. Abandon ship procedures: maintenance, lashing and safe launching of rescue boats and liferafts
- 7.6. Distress radio equipment (GMDSS): activating EPIRBs, SARTs and survival handheld radios
- 7.7. Survival tactics at sea: preventing hypothermia, cold shock and prolonged flotation techniques
- 7.8. Drills and exercises
Systematic Risk Assessment, Applied Technology and Capstone Project
- 8.1. Formal Safety Assessment (FSA) methodologies according to IMO guidelines
- 8.2. Qualitative and quantitative risk analysis techniques: HAZOP, Bow-Tie Analysis, FMEA and risk matrices
- 8.3. Artificial intelligence and IoT sensing for predicting catastrophic failures and preventing collisions
- 8.4. Safety inspections based on digitalisation, drones and thermal cameras for inaccessible areas
- 8.5. Business continuity and operational resilience in shipping companies facing serious accidents
- 8.6. Crisis communication protocols with authorities, insurers, shipowners and the media
- 8.7. Presentation of the capstone project
- 8.8. Capstone project: preparing a comprehensive risk assessment study, an accident prevention plan and a simulated casualty investigation for a specific fleet or ship type
Duration and format of the Professional Diploma in Maritime Accident Prevention
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 instalment plan.
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programmes.
Dra. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Ing. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Cap. 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
Dra. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Ing. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Ing. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Ing. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives of the Professional Diploma in Maritime Accident Prevention
Career opportunities after the Professional Diploma in Maritime Accident Prevention
Questions about the Professional Diploma in Maritime Accident Prevention
To minimise risks and prevent accidents in the maritime environment through training in safety, regulations and risk management.
The programme covers SOLAS, the ISM Code, STCW, MARPOL, COLREG and the IAMSAR Manual, and works with methodologies such as root cause analysis, HAZOP, Bow-Tie, FMEA and Formal Safety Assessment (FSA).
Online with live sessions; a hybrid option for practical placements is available through agreements.
It covers accident prevention on all types of vessels and maritime structures, including oil platforms.
Yes. The capstone project consists of a comprehensive risk assessment study, an accident prevention plan and a simulated casualty investigation for a specific fleet or ship type.
It is designed for merchant navy officers and masters, but you can also take it with a related qualification or experience in maritime or port operations (minimum 3 years). The admission interview will confirm whether it is a good fit.
No. The programme is studied entirely online and does not include work placements; Navalis Institute does not arrange internships or jobs.
Through practical exercises assessed with rubrics, standard operating procedures (SOPs), checklists, micro-tests and an applied final project.
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Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enrol in the same session.
- Profile: a qualification in merchant navy studies, naval engineering or related fields, or demonstrable experience in the maritime sector (minimum 3 years), with basic knowledge of navigation, maritime safety and international maritime law (SOLAS, MARPOL, etc.). Prior training in risk management, accident investigation or safety auditing is an advantage.
- Language: sufficient command of the language of instruction; basic technical English is recommended.
- Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection to follow the online sessions and activities.
- 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.
- 03EnrolmentChoose 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 enrol
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.