Short course300 h · Online · 5 modules

Marine PLC and Controller Programming Course

This course gives you the essential skills to program the controllers that automate a ship's systems. You will learn how onboard control systems are built, how programmable logic controllers work and how to write programs in the IEC 61131-3 languages to control pumps, valves, engines, generators and tanks, with PID regulation, alarms and interlocks, and how to test, commission, back up and protect those programs.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules5
Program diagnosis

Prior knowledge check

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You are starting from scratch in this subject. The program is designed precisely for that.

About the program

What is the Marine PLC and Controller Programming Course?

This short course takes you from the fundamentals of onboard automation to writing and testing real control programs. You will study sensors and actuators, open and closed control loops, the architecture of a control system and the role of classification society rules; PLC hardware, digital and analog inputs and outputs, the scan cycle, type-approved marine PLCs and their connection and power supply; programming to IEC 61131-3 in ladder logic, function block diagram and structured text, with timers, counters and good programming practice; the control of pumps, valves, engines, generators and tanks, PID regulation, alarms and interlocks; and simulation, commissioning, fault diagnosis, program backups and basic cybersecurity.

What sets this course apart: it focuses specifically on programming the controller, rather than on automation of the ship as a whole or on general-purpose microcontrollers; every topic is applied to typical shipboard systems such as bilge and ballast pumps, valves, generators and tank management; it gives weight to safety logic, with alarms and interlocks designed from the start; it covers the full life cycle of a program, from simulation and commissioning to backups and fault-finding; it introduces the basic cybersecurity measures that onboard control systems need; and it ends with a project in which you program a naval controller for a real or simulated system.

Program typeShort course
ModeOnline
Duration300 hours
Modules5
Start1 December

Program highlights

  • Control fundamentals: onboard automation, sensors, actuators, control loops and system architecture.
  • PLC hardware: digital and analog I/O, scan cycle, type-approved marine PLCs, wiring and power supply.
  • IEC 61131-3 programming: ladder logic, function block diagram, structured text, timers and counters.
  • Ship systems: pumps and valves, engines and generators, PID regulation and tank management.
  • Safety and reliability: alarms, interlocks, fault diagnosis, program backups and basic cybersecurity.
  • Final project: programming a naval controller, from simulation to commissioning.
Syllabus

Syllabus of the Marine PLC and Controller Programming Course

5 modules. Select a module to see its content.

Module 1

Fundamentals of naval control systems

  • 1.1. Automation on board
  • 1.2. Sensors and actuators
  • 1.3. Open-loop and closed-loop control
  • 1.4. Architecture of a control system
  • 1.5. Classification society rules
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 2

Programmable logic controllers (PLC)

  • 2.1. PLC hardware
  • 2.2. Digital and analog inputs and outputs
  • 2.3. The scan cycle
  • 2.4. Type-approved marine PLCs
  • 2.5. Connection and power supply
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 3

Programming to IEC 61131-3

  • 3.1. Ladder logic
  • 3.2. Function block diagram
  • 3.3. Structured text
  • 3.4. Timers and counters
  • 3.5. Good programming practice
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 4

Control of ship systems

  • 4.1. Control of pumps and valves
  • 4.2. Control of engines and generators
  • 4.3. PID regulation
  • 4.4. Alarms and interlocks
  • 4.5. Tank management
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 5

Testing, maintenance and project

  • 5.1. Simulation and commissioning
  • 5.2. Fault diagnosis
  • 5.3. Program backups
  • 5.4. Basic cybersecurity
  • 5.5. Final project: programming a naval controller
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Plan your pace

Duration and format of the Marine PLC and Controller Programming Course

It is 300 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
6
months to finish
25 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.

Dra. Marina AlcoverDr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Ing. Diego CifuentesEng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)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 FerrerDr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dra. Nuria LlobregatDr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Ing. Javier BañulsEng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Ing. Sofía MarquinaEng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Ing. Tomás RieraEng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration Coordinator
Objectives

Objectives of the Marine PLC and Controller Programming Course

01Develop robust control programs that keep shipboard systems stable in the face of disturbances and uncertainty, using sound control loops and PID regulation.
02Support efficient energy management on board by programming the control of pumps, generators and auxiliary systems to avoid unnecessary consumption.
03Integrate sensors and actuators into the controller, configuring, calibrating and diagnosing them with the help of technical manuals and communication protocols such as Modbus or Ethernet/IP.
04Build safety into control logic through well-designed alarms and interlocks that protect equipment and people on board.
05Protect onboard control systems with basic cybersecurity measures such as network segmentation, access control, updates and program backups.
06Test, commission and maintain controller programs, simulating them before start-up, diagnosing faults and keeping documentation and backups up to date.
Careers

Career opportunities after the Marine PLC and Controller Programming Course

01PLC programmer for marine automationdeveloping and maintaining control programs for ship systems.
02Testing and commissioning technicianverifying and starting up naval control systems.
03Marine systems integratorconfiguring controllers and integrating them with other onboard systems.
04Control system support and maintenance technician on board or at shipyards and automation companies
05Industrial automation professional moving into the maritime sector
06Technical consultant on control and automation solutions for shipowners and shipyards
Frequently asked questions

Questions about the Marine PLC and Controller Programming Course

Shipboard systems such as pumps, valves, engines, generators and tanks, reading sensors and acting on actuators according to the logic programmed into it.

The IEC 61131-3 languages most used on PLCs: ladder logic, function block diagram and structured text.

The microcontroller course works with embedded C on general-purpose boards; this course focuses on programmable logic controllers and the industrial languages and safety logic used to automate ship systems.

It helps, but the course starts with control fundamentals and PLC basics, so technicians with some electrical or automation background can follow it.

Yes, at a basic level: protecting control programs and networks with segmentation, access control, updates and backups.

You program a controller for a real or simulated shipboard system, including its control logic, alarms and interlocks, and test it in simulation before commissioning.

The course comprises 300 hours of study across 5 modules of about 60 hours each and ends with an applied project. You can progress at your own pace within the schedule set when you enroll.

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Online admission

Admission process

No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.

Entry requirements
  • Profile: aimed at naval engineers and technicians who want to specialize in control systems for vessels, students of electronic, mechatronic or naval engineering, industrial automation professionals who want to apply their experience to the maritime sector, staff of shipyards and naval design companies and developers interested in vessel automation; training in electronics, control, naval engineering or a related field, or experience with electronic or automation systems, is helpful, as is basic familiarity with programming and electrical diagrams.
  • Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
  • Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and software to view PDF documents; PLC programming and simulation software is used for the exercises.
  • Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
  1. 01
    Application
    Your details, background and documents.
  2. 02
    Instant review
    We check that everything is complete and in order.
  3. 03
    Enrollment
    Choose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Start my applicationFrom $188 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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