Master’s degree1,500 h · Online · 11 modules
Master's in Advanced Training for Masters and Bridge Officers
This master's programme is designed to strengthen your leadership and decision-making skills in the maritime environment. It covers bridge resource management, situational awareness, passage planning and emergency organisation. It teaches the subject; certificates of competency are issued only by the maritime authorities and the training centres they approve.
Duration1,500 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules11
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About the programme
What is the Master's in Advanced Training for Masters and Bridge Officers?
This online master's degree is designed to strengthen leadership and decision-making in today's maritime environment. It goes deeper into crisis management, advanced navigation and international maritime legislation, and aims to prepare you for command.
What makes it different: strategic leadership, scenario-based exercises for critical situations, an up-to-date legal framework and precision navigation.
Navalis Institute teaches the subject matter; certificates of competency are issued only by the national maritime authorities and the training centres they approve.
Programme typeMaster’s degree
ModeOnline
Duration1,500 hours
Modules11
Start1 December
Programme highlights
- Advanced navigation: passage planning, track management and ECDIS systems.
- Leadership and crisis management: communication in critical situations and decisions under pressure.
- International maritime legislation: maritime law, conventions and safety regulations.
- Drills and emergencies on board, to improve response and coordination.
- Preparation for promotion to positions of greater responsibility.
Syllabus
Syllabus of the Master's in Advanced Training for Masters and Bridge Officers
11 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Module 1
Leadership, command and integrated bridge management
- 1.1. Strategic roles of the master and bridge officers in the safe conduct of the ship and operational decision-making
- 1.2. Organisation of the navigation bridge, allocation of responsibilities and coordination between officers and crew
- 1.3. Maritime leadership, professional authority, human factor management and development of high-performance teams
- 1.4. Bridge Resource Management (BRM) applied to the optimisation of human, technological and operational resources
- 1.5. Effective communication between the bridge, engine room, deck, pilots, tugs and maritime control centres
- 1.6. Management of stress, workload and fatigue, and decision-making under pressure during critical operations
- 1.7. Safety culture, operational discipline and continuous improvement in bridge management
- 1.8. Professional ethics, command responsibility and legal obligations of the master during international voyages
- 1.9. Document management, logbooks, operational records and administrative control of the bridge
- 1.10. Integration of leadership, technology and human factor management to ensure safe and efficient maritime operations
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 2
Advanced navigation, ocean passage planning and decision-making
- 2.1. Comprehensive passage planning taking into account meteorology, oceanography, maritime traffic and operational constraints
- 2.2. Coastal, ocean and polar navigation and navigation in areas of high operational complexity
- 2.3. Route optimisation through analysis of weather, currents, fuel consumption and energy efficiency
- 2.4. Advanced management of electronic charts, nautical publications and hydrographic information systems
- 2.5. Navigation procedures in restricted passages, channels, straits and high-traffic areas
- 2.6. Risk assessment during passage planning and execution
- 2.7. Dynamic decision-making in response to weather changes, breakdowns, maritime congestion and operational emergencies
- 2.8. Coordination with VTS services, pilots and maritime authorities during special operations
- 2.9. Continuous assessment of voyage progress using operational indicators and monitoring systems
- 2.10. Development of advanced strategies for safe, efficient and sustainable navigation in any maritime scenario
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 3
Electronic navigation systems and smart bridge technologies
- 3.1. Operational integration of radar, ARPA, ECDIS, AIS, GNSS and electronic navigation systems
- 3.2. Advanced configuration of alarms, filters, parameters and electronic aids for decision-making
- 3.3. Redundancy management, cross-checking of information and prevention of technology-related errors
- 3.4. Bridge automation through smart navigation support systems
- 3.5. Integration of meteorological and oceanographic sensors and real-time monitoring systems
- 3.6. Cybersecurity applied to electronic navigation systems and protection of critical bridge infrastructure
- 3.7. Diagnosis of electronic faults and operational recovery procedures
- 3.8. Use of artificial intelligence and predictive analytics applied to modern navigation
- 3.9. Trends in autonomous navigation, smart ships and the digital transformation of the bridge
- 3.10. Development of advanced competences to operate navigation technology systems to high safety standards
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 4
Advanced shiphandling and special operations
- 4.1. Advanced shiphandling during berthing, unberthing, anchoring and course alterations in confined waters
- 4.2. Management of tugs, pilots and mooring teams in complex port operations
- 4.3. Navigation in restricted visibility, ice, strong currents and severe storms
- 4.4. Emergency manoeuvres following loss of propulsion, steering or critical navigation systems
- 4.5. Search and rescue operations from the bridge
- 4.6. Man overboard manoeuvres, abandoning ship and response to maritime emergencies
- 4.7. Offshore operations, personnel transfer, supply and support to offshore platforms
- 4.8. Management of operations involving dangerous goods and special cargoes during the voyage
- 4.9. Tactical coordination during convoys, military operations or maritime security missions
- 4.10. Development of advanced procedures for safe manoeuvring in scenarios of high operational complexity
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 5
Maritime safety, risk management and ship security
- 5.1. Advanced assessment of operational risks during all phases of navigation
- 5.2. Application of the ISPS Code and management of ship security against external threats
- 5.3. Collision prevention through advanced application of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREG)
- 5.4. Management of emergencies involving fire, flooding, pollution and structural failure
- 5.5. Coordination of response teams and command centres during critical incidents
- 5.6. Protection against piracy, maritime terrorism, stowaways and illicit activities
- 5.7. Management of investigations following marine accidents and incidents
- 5.8. Internal audits, inspections and continuous improvement of operational safety
- 5.9. Development of performance indicators for preventive maritime risk management
- 5.10. Integration of safety, security and operational resilience strategies in bridge management
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 6
Meteorology, oceanography and navigation in extreme conditions
- 6.1. Advanced interpretation of weather charts, satellite imagery and numerical weather prediction models
- 6.2. Influence of currents, tides, waves and oceanic phenomena on navigation
- 6.3. Navigation in tropical cyclones, severe storms, fog, ice and polar conditions
- 6.4. Weather risk management during long ocean passages
- 6.5. Route optimisation through weather routing and advanced oceanographic analysis
- 6.6. Procedures to minimise ship motions and protect cargo, passengers and crew
- 6.7. Use of specialised meteorological services and automated marine forecasting systems
- 6.8. Continuous assessment of environmental conditions during the passage
- 6.9. Operational adaptation strategies in response to climate change and extreme events
- 6.10. Development of advanced competences to navigate safely in any meteorological and oceanographic conditions
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 7
Maritime law, document management and responsibilities of the master
- 7.1. Legal responsibilities of the master during national and international voyages
- 7.2. Ship document management in accordance with international regulations and the requirements of maritime administrations
- 7.3. Port State Control inspection procedures and compliance with international conventions
- 7.4. Management of accidents, damage, sea protests, claims and civil liabilities
- 7.5. Relations with shipowners, insurers, port authorities and international organisations
- 7.6. Management of contracts of carriage, commercial documentation and international cargo operations
- 7.7. Legal protection of the crew and compliance with maritime labour regulations
- 7.8. Environmental liability arising from maritime operations and pollution prevention
- 7.9. Professional ethics and decision-making with legal and commercial implications
- 7.10. Development of competences to exercise command with full knowledge of the international maritime legal framework
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 8
Operational management, energy efficiency and ship sustainability
- 8.1. Optimisation of operations to reduce fuel consumption and pollutant emissions
- 8.2. Application of efficient navigation strategies and reduction of operating costs
- 8.3. Ship energy management during navigation, manoeuvring and port operations
- 8.4. Compliance with international environmental regulations applicable to shipping
- 8.5. Bridge-engine room coordination to optimise operational performance
- 8.6. Management of waste, ballast water and emissions, and protection of the marine environment
- 8.7. Use of smart technologies for energy monitoring and continuous improvement
- 8.8. Assessment of operational efficiency and sustainability indicators
- 8.9. Strategies for the transition towards more sustainable and digitalised maritime operations
- 8.10. Integration of efficiency, sustainability and profitability in modern ship management
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 9
Advanced simulation, operational training and crisis management
- 9.1. Use of bridge simulators for training in complex navigation scenarios
- 9.2. Simulation of maritime emergencies, technology failures and highly demanding operations
- 9.3. Training in decision-making under pressure and human factor management
- 9.4. Assessment of individual and team performance through simulation exercises
- 9.5. Development of coordination exercises between the bridge, engine room and emergency teams
- 9.6. Management of operational crises through structured response procedures
- 9.7. Simulation of incidents involving pollution, security, collisions and evacuations
- 9.8. Analysis of lessons learned and continuous improvement based on simulations
- 9.9. Preparation for audits, inspections and assessments of professional competence
- 9.10. Development of advanced capabilities through practical training in realistic operational scenarios
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 10
Commercial management, cargo operations and third-party relations
- 10.1. Chartering and the master's obligations
- 10.2. Planning and supervision of cargo operations
- 10.3. Stowage, lashing and stress calculations
- 10.4. Relations with agents, pilots and port authorities
- 10.5. Vetting inspections and Port State Control
- 10.6. Management of cargo claims
- 10.7. Sea protests and legal documentation
- 10.8. Communication with the shipping company and the shipowner
- 10.9. Ship budget management
- 10.10. Voyage reports and reporting
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 11
Master's Final Project in Advanced Training for Masters and Bridge Officers
- 11.1. Definition of a highly complex navigation scenario with multiple operational variables and associated risks
- 11.2. Comprehensive assessment of the ship, passage, weather conditions, maritime traffic, human resources and operational limitations
- 11.3. Design of the complete voyage plan incorporating safety, efficiency, security and regulatory compliance
- 11.4. Preparation of the manoeuvring plan, communications, coordination with authorities and voyage document management
- 11.5. Development of response protocols for emergencies, technology failures, marine incidents and operational crises
- 11.6. Integration of electronic tools, smart systems and navigation optimisation strategies
- 11.7. Preparation of the risk management, business continuity and bridge performance improvement plan
- 11.8. Evaluation of the project's safety, energy efficiency, sustainability and operational performance indicators
- 11.9. Writing of the technical report with the operational, legal, technological and strategic analysis of the proposal developed
- 11.10. Presentation and defence of the final project with technical, operational, regulatory and strategic validation of the integrated bridge management designed.
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your pacePlan your pace
Duration and format of the Master's in Advanced Training for Masters and Bridge Officers
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 instalment plan.
Faculty
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
Objectives of the Master's in Advanced Training for Masters and Bridge Officers
01Manage human and material resources on board efficiently.
02Lead and coordinate maritime emergency operations.
03Apply international safety and environmental protection regulations.
04Optimise navigation with advanced technologies and information systems.
05Make critical decisions in high-pressure situations.
06Deepen your knowledge of ship stability and cargo handling.
Careers
Career opportunities after the Master's in Advanced Training for Masters and Bridge Officers
Frequently asked questions
Questions about the Master's in Advanced Training for Masters and Bridge Officers
Masters and bridge officers.
Yes. The pathway includes ECDIS/Radar-ARPA/BRM with port, ocean, fog, heavy-weather and SAR scenarios.
Online with live sessions; hybrid option for simulator/internship placements through agreements.
Yes.
Functional SMCP is recommended. We provide support materials for standard phraseology.
Yes, with a related qualification or experience in maritime/port operations. The admission interview will confirm suitability.
Optional (3–6 months) through Companies & Partnerships and the Alumni Network.
Simulator exercises (rubrics), passage plans, SOPs, checklists, micro-tests and an applied master's thesis.
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Online admission
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enrol in the same session.
Entry requirements
- Profile: a Master Mariner certificate, or a bridge officer with accredited experience in navigation and ship management.
- Experience: a minimum period of sea service as Master or bridge officer in accordance with current legislation.
- Certificates: the STCW certificates of proficiency required for the position.
- Language: maritime English (SMCP), spoken and written.
- Documentation: CV, qualification, STCW certificates, seaman's book, ID card or passport and a valid medical certificate.
- Other: an entrance test or interview may be required.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrolmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Start my applicationFrom A$1,912 deposit
Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.
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