Professional Diploma in Ship Auxiliary Systems
This professional diploma teaches you to understand, operate and maintain the auxiliary systems that make a ship habitable and safe: pumping and bilge, fuel, refrigeration, fresh water, sewage, hydraulics and compressed air. You will learn to read diagrams, diagnose faults and plan preventive maintenance.
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 Professional Diploma in Ship Auxiliary Systems?
This professional diploma teaches you to understand, operate and maintain the auxiliary systems that make a ship habitable and safe: pumping and bilge, fuel, refrigeration, fresh water, sewage, hydraulics and compressed air. You will read P&ID diagrams and circuits with standard symbols, maintain centrifugal and volumetric pumps and mechanical seals, operate separators, filters and safe fuel transfers, manage watermakers, bilge separators and sewage plants, and check compressed air, hydraulics and fire-fighting systems.
What sets this diploma apart: an engine-room view, with all the auxiliaries integrated in one program; real diagrams, with P&IDs, hydraulic diagrams and pipework circuits; reference regulations, with SOLAS, MARPOL Annexes I, IV and VI and ISO 15083; fault diagnosis, with a systematic method applied to pumps, valves and compressors; and an integrative project in which you carry out a complete technical audit of a ship's auxiliaries.
Program highlights
- Engine-room view: all the auxiliary systems integrated in one program.
- Real diagrams: P&IDs, hydraulic diagrams and pipework circuits.
- Reference regulations: SOLAS, MARPOL Annexes I, IV and VI and ISO 15083.
- Fault diagnosis: a systematic method applied to pumps, valves and compressors.
- Safety systems: compressed air, fixed extinguishing systems and emergency shut-offs.
- Integrative project: a complete technical audit of a ship's auxiliary systems.
Syllabus of the Professional Diploma in Ship Auxiliary Systems
8 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Fundamentals of auxiliary systems
- 1.1. Classification of a ship's auxiliary systems and their relationship with propulsion and power generation
- 1.2. Engine room layout: tanks, manifolds, watertight bulkheads and pipe penetrations
- 1.3. Reading P&ID diagrams and symbols for valves, pumps, filters and instrumentation according to ISO 14617
- 1.4. Fundamental quantities: pressure, flow, head, viscosity and pressure losses
- 1.5. Marine piping materials: carbon steel, stainless steel, 90/10 cupronickel and GRP plastics
- 1.6. Joints, flanges, gaskets and anti-vibration supports in onboard pipework
- 1.7. Regulatory framework: SOLAS Chapter II-1, MARPOL, classification society rules and applicable ISO standards
- 1.8. Maintenance management: planned maintenance systems (PMS), running hours and work records
Pumps, pipework and bilge systems
- 2.1. Centrifugal pumps: characteristic curves, operating point, NPSH and risk of cavitation
- 2.2. Volumetric pumps: gear, screw, piston, diaphragm and flexible impeller
- 2.3. Mechanical seals and gland packing: fitting, adjustment, acceptable leakage and causes of failure
- 2.4. Bilge pumping system: manifolds, non-return valves, mud boxes and level alarms
- 2.5. Electric and automatic bilge pumps on small craft according to ISO 15083
- 2.6. Ballast systems: tanks, transfer, stability control and the BWM Convention on ballast water
- 2.7. Seawater service: sea chests, strainers, anti-fouling protection and anodic protection
- 2.8. Diagnosing pump faults: loss of prime, vibration, noise, overheating and low flow
Fuel and lubrication systems
- 3.1. Types of marine fuel: gas oil, MDO, HFO and VLSFO, and MARPOL Annex VI sulfur limits
- 3.2. Storage, settling and daily service tanks: vents, sounding pipes, overflows and drains
- 3.3. Receiving fuel: sampling, bunker delivery note, spill prevention and bunkering measures
- 3.4. Centrifugal fuel and oil separators: operating principle, discs and sludge discharge
- 3.5. Filtration: duplex filters, self-cleaning filters and water separators with coalescing elements
- 3.6. Heating and viscosity control of heavy fuel oil with viscometers and heaters
- 3.7. Lubrication circuits: dry and wet sump, pumps, coolers and pressure control
- 3.8. In-service oil analysis: viscosity, TBN, water, wear metals and change criteria
Refrigeration, air conditioning and ventilation
- 4.1. Vapor compression refrigeration cycle: compressor, condenser, expansion valve and evaporator
- 4.2. Marine refrigerants and F-gas regulation: R-134a, R-404A, R-407C and low-GWP alternatives
- 4.3. Provision stores and cold rooms: storage temperatures, defrosting and humidity control
- 4.4. Air conditioning on board: direct expansion systems, water chillers and fan coils
- 4.5. Seawater condensing equipment: pumps, strainers and heat exchanger cleaning
- 4.6. Engine room ventilation: combustion air flow, extraction and closure in the event of fire
- 4.7. Leak detection, refrigerant charging, vacuum and measuring superheat and subcooling
- 4.8. Common faults: low suction pressure, high discharge pressure, iced evaporator and seized compressor
Fresh water, potable water treatment and sewage
- 5.1. Vacuum evaporation fresh water generators using heat from jacket cooling water
- 5.2. Reverse osmosis desalination units: membranes, working pressures, pre-filtration and chemical cleaning
- 5.3. Treatment and disinfection of drinking water: chlorination, remineralisation, UV and sanitary control
- 5.4. Pressure sets, hydrophore tanks and domestic hot water heaters with legionella prevention
- 5.5. Black and gray water: holding tanks, biological treatment plants and MARPOL Annex IV
- 5.6. Sanitary installations on small craft according to ISO 8099: toilets, valves and tanks
- 5.7. Oily bilge water: 15 ppm separators, oil content monitor and oil record book
- 5.8. Management of solid waste and sludge: incinerators, compactors and garbage management plan
Hydraulics, steering and maneuvering
- 6.1. Principles of oil hydraulics: Pascal, pressure, flow, hydraulic power and circuit efficiency
- 6.2. Hydraulic components: axial piston pumps, directional valves, relief valves and accumulators
- 6.3. Hydraulic fluids: viscosity, cleanliness to ISO 4406, filtration and water contamination
- 6.4. Steering gear: electro-hydraulic ram and rotary vane systems
- 6.5. Emergency steering and rudder swing time requirements according to SOLAS Chapter II-1
- 6.6. Bow and stern thrusters, fin and gyroscopic stabilizers
- 6.7. Winches, capstans, anchor windlasses and hydraulic deck cranes: maintenance and testing
- 6.8. Diagnosing hydraulic circuits: pressure drops, overheating, noise and erratic movements
Compressed air and fire-fighting systems
- 7.1. Reciprocating and screw air compressors: stages, intercooling and safety valves
- 7.2. Starting air receivers, dryers, drains and control and instrument air
- 7.3. Fire main: main and emergency fire pumps, main line, hydrants and hoses according to SOLAS II-2
- 7.4. Fixed CO2, water mist and foam extinguishing systems in the engine room
- 7.5. Sprinkler systems and smoke, heat and flame detection in accommodation and service spaces
- 7.6. Portable extinguishers on small craft according to ISO 9094: types, location and inspections
- 7.7. Emergency shut-offs: quick-closing fuel valves, fan stops and dampers
- 7.8. Periodic testing, inspections and maintenance records for fire-fighting equipment
Integrative project: auxiliary systems audit
- 8.1. Selecting the ship or boat to study and gathering drawings, diagrams and technical manuals
- 8.2. Inventory of auxiliary systems and drawing simplified P&ID diagrams for each circuit
- 8.3. Assessing the condition of pumps, pipework, valves and tanks with an inspection checklist
- 8.4. Analyzing compliance with SOLAS, MARPOL and the ISO standards applicable to the type of vessel studied
- 8.5. Identifying critical points, failure risks and proposals for improvement or redundancy
- 8.6. Designing a preventive maintenance plan with frequencies, tasks and critical spares
- 8.7. Estimating intervention costs and prioritizing by criticality and safety
- 8.8. Writing and presenting the technical audit report with conclusions and recommendations
Duration and format of the Professional Diploma in Ship Auxiliary Systems
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 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 Professional Diploma in Ship Auxiliary Systems
Career opportunities after the Professional Diploma in Ship Auxiliary Systems
Questions about the Professional Diploma in Ship Auxiliary Systems
A background in mechanics or maintenance is recommended, but the first module reviews the quantities, materials and symbols needed to follow the rest of the program with ease.
The program covers both. The systems are explained at the scale of a merchant ship or superyacht, and the particular features of small craft are added, such as ISO 8099, ISO 9094 and ISO 15083.
The refrigeration cycle, refrigerants and F-gas regulation, provision stores, air conditioning on board and fault diagnosis. Handling fluorinated gases requires the corresponding official certification, issued by the competent authority, which this program does not replace.
You carry out a technical audit of the auxiliary systems of a ship or boat: inventory, diagrams, condition assessment, regulatory compliance, preventive maintenance plan and cost estimate.
Yes. Module 5 covers 15 ppm oily water separators, the oil content monitor and keeping the oil record book under MARPOL Annex I.
The professional diploma is taught online and comprises 800 hours of study across 8 modules of about 100 hours each, ending with an integrative project in which you apply what you have learned to a complete technical case.
More programs in Machinery and electrics
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.
- Profile: aimed at mechanics, industrial maintenance technicians, crew members and maritime professionals who want to master the auxiliary systems of ships and large vessels.
- 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 a camera for live sessions and project presentations.
- Admission: enrollment is open all year round; 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.