Marine Hydraulic Systems Course
This course gives you a thorough understanding of how hydraulic systems work on board and how to keep them running. You will move from the basic principles of pressure and flow to the pumps, valves, cylinders and motors behind steering gear, cranes, windlasses and stabilizers, learning to look after the hydraulic fluid, install lines and hoses safely, test the system and solve faults so that performance improves, breakdowns are prevented and operations stay safe.
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 Marine Hydraulic Systems Course?
This short course prepares you to understand, maintain and troubleshoot the hydraulic systems found on vessels of all sizes. You will study how hydraulics compares with pneumatic, mechanical and electric drives; the basic principles of pressure, flow, viscosity and pressure loss; naval applications such as steering, rudders, windlasses, cranes, capstans, stabilizers, platforms and doors; pumps, actuators, valves and fluid conditioning elements; open and closed circuits; hydraulic fluids, contamination, filtration and oil analysis; and the selection, routing and assembly of pipes, hoses and fittings.
What sets this course apart: a constant focus on the marine environment, with salt, corrosion, vibration, limited access and the need for continuous operation; practical maintenance routines built around fluid condition, filters, leaks and hose inspection; a clear treatment of the hazards of high pressure, fluid injection, hose bursts, water hammer, suspended loads and stored energy; and an applied project in which you diagnose a real or realistic onboard system and prepare its basic circuit, installation and test plan and maintenance plan.
Program highlights
- Hydraulic fundamentals: pressure, flow, viscosity, pressure loss and system efficiency.
- Naval applications: steering gear, windlasses, cranes, capstans, stabilizers and platforms.
- Components and circuits: pumps, cylinders, hydraulic motors, valves, accumulators and filters.
- Fluid care: contamination, filtration, air bleeding, oil analysis and preventive maintenance.
- Safe installation: pipes, hoses and fittings, high-pressure hazards and leak and pressure tests.
- Applied project: diagnosis, basic circuit, test plan and maintenance plan for an onboard system.
Syllabus of the Marine Hydraulic Systems Course
5 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Fundamentals of marine hydraulics, power transmission and fluid systems on board
- 1.1. The concept of hydraulics applied to naval systems and the differences between hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical and electric drive systems
- 1.2. Basic principles: pressure, flow, viscosity, force, speed, pressure loss, hydraulic energy and system efficiency
- 1.3. Naval applications: steering, rudder, windlasses, cranes, capstans, stabilizers, platforms, doors and auxiliary equipment
- 1.4. Main components: pumps, hydraulic motors, cylinders, valves, reservoirs, filters, accumulators, hoses and fittings
- 1.5. Particular features of the marine environment: salinity, corrosion, vibration, humidity, temperature, limited access and operational continuity
Hydraulic components, basic circuits and the architecture of naval systems
- 2.1. Hydraulic pumps: gear, vane and piston types, fixed and variable flow and selection criteria for marine use
- 2.2. Hydraulic actuators: cylinders, motors, servos, steering units, lifting systems and motion mechanisms
- 2.3. Directional, pressure control, flow control, check, relief, sequence and safety valves
- 2.4. Reservoirs, filters, coolers, accumulators, breathers, indicators, pressure gauges and fluid conditioning elements
- 2.5. Design of basic circuits: open circuit, closed circuit, return, drain, pressure lines and control lines
Hydraulic fluids, contamination, filtration and preventive maintenance in the marine environment
- 3.1. Types of hydraulic fluid, viscosity, compatibility, working temperature, stability, lubricity and resistance to oxidation
- 3.2. Contamination by water, particles, air, metallic debris, degradation products, salt and mixing of incompatible fluids
- 3.3. Filtration, reservoir breathing, sealing, air bleeding, moisture control and protection against the ingress of contaminants
- 3.4. Oil analysis, visual inspection, smell, color, foaming, presence of water, particles and degradation trends
- 3.5. Maintenance routines: changing filters, checking levels, cleaning the reservoir, renewing the fluid and controlling leaks
Installation, pipes, hoses, connections and safety in marine hydraulic systems
- 4.1. Choice of pipes, hoses, fittings, clamps, supports, seals and materials compatible with pressure and the marine environment
- 4.2. Routing hydraulic lines to avoid chafing, tight bends, hot spots, vibration, floodable areas and unsafe access
- 4.3. Assembling connections, tightening, sealing, internal cleanliness, corrosion protection and leak prevention
- 4.4. Safety against high pressure, fluid injection, hose bursts, water hammer, suspended loads and stored energy
- 4.5. Leak, pressure, function, temperature and actuator response tests and checks after any intervention
Applied project in marine hydraulic systems
- 5.1. Definition of the case: steering system, hydraulic rudder, windlass, crane, capstan, platform, stabilizer or auxiliary equipment
- 5.2. Diagnosis of the system: components, pressure, flow, fluid, hoses, valves, leaks, maintenance and operational risks
- 5.3. Design of the basic hydraulic circuit with pump, reservoir, filters, valves, actuators, lines, protections and measuring points
- 5.4. Preparation of the installation and test plan: bleeding, pressure checks, leak control and commissioning
- 5.5. Development of the maintenance plan: fluid analysis, filter changes, hose inspection and fault diagnosis
Duration and format of the Marine Hydraulic Systems Course
It is 300 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 Marine Hydraulic Systems Course
Career opportunities after the Marine Hydraulic Systems Course
Questions about the Marine Hydraulic Systems Course
Steering gear and hydraulic rudders, windlasses, cranes, capstans, stabilizers, platforms, doors and other auxiliary equipment driven by hydraulic power.
Basic notions of hydraulics or mechanics are helpful, but the course begins with the principles of pressure, flow and viscosity before moving on to components and circuits.
Yes. You will work with pumps, valves, actuators and conditioning elements and design basic open and closed circuits, which trains you to read and interpret the diagrams used on board.
Because contamination by water, particles and air causes a large share of hydraulic failures. You will learn how to filter, bleed and analyze the fluid and set up maintenance routines that prevent breakdowns.
Yes. You will study the hazards of high pressure, fluid injection injuries, hose bursts, water hammer, suspended loads and stored energy, and the tests to carry out after any intervention.
Online, with materials available at any time, practical exercises with feedback and forums where you can raise questions with the tutors.
Through exercises in each module and a final applied project in which you diagnose an onboard hydraulic system and prepare its basic circuit, test plan and maintenance plan.
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Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.
- Profile: a background in naval or mechanical engineering or a related technical field, or demonstrable experience operating and maintaining marine hydraulic systems; engineer officers, maintenance technicians, boatyard staff and spare parts buyers are welcome.
- Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
- Technical resources: a computer with webcam and microphone and a broadband connection to follow the classes and work with hydraulic diagrams.
- 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.