Professional diploma800 h · Online · 8 modules

Professional Diploma in Shipboard Evacuation and Emergency Drills

This professional diploma prepares you to plan evacuations and to design, run and evaluate emergency drills on board ships. You will study the SOLAS and ISM framework, the muster list and alarm signals, evacuation plans and times, lifeboats, liferafts and marine evacuation systems, passenger and crowd management, drill design and evaluation, coordination with rescue centers, port authorities and fire services, and how to build a safety culture on board.

Duration800 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules8
Program diagnosis

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.

Your diagnosis
6of 6 to cover

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

About the program

What is the Professional Diploma in Shipboard Evacuation and Emergency Drills?

This professional diploma prepares you to make sure that, when an emergency happens on board, everyone knows what to do and gets off the ship safely if necessary. You will learn the types of emergency on board and the SOLAS and ISM requirements, how the muster list, alarms, roles and the ship's emergency plan are organized, how escape routes, muster stations and evacuation times are planned, how lifeboats, liferafts, marine evacuation systems and launching appliances are maintained and tested, how people behave in an emergency and how crowds and vulnerable passengers are managed, and how drills are designed, timed, debriefed and turned into improvement plans.

What sets this professional diploma apart: a specifically shipboard approach based on SOLAS, the ISM Code and the muster list; evacuation planning with escape routes, life-saving appliance capacity and evacuation time calculation; the human factor, with crowd control, panic management and care for vulnerable passengers and children; a complete drill cycle, from objectives and scenarios to debriefing and corrective actions; joint exercises with rescue centers, port authorities, helicopters and fire services; and a final project in which you design a ship's drill program.

Program typeProfessional diploma
ModeOnline
Duration800 hours
Modules8
Start1 December

Program highlights

  • Shipboard approach: SOLAS, the ISM Code and the muster list.
  • Evacuation planning: escape routes, muster stations and evacuation times.
  • Life-saving appliances: lifeboats, liferafts, MES, maintenance and testing.
  • Human factor: crowd control, panic management and vulnerable passengers.
  • Complete drill cycle: design, timing, debriefing and corrective actions.
  • Final project: a complete drill program for a ship.
Syllabus

Syllabus of the Professional Diploma in Shipboard Evacuation and Emergency Drills

8 modules. Select a module to see its content.

Module 1

Fundamentals of emergency management

  • 1.1. Types of emergency on board
  • 1.2. The SOLAS and ISM regulatory framework
  • 1.3. Muster list
  • 1.4. Alarm signals
  • 1.5. Roles and responsibilities
  • 1.6. The ship's emergency plan
  • 1.7. Emergency signage
  • 1.8. Communication with the company
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 2

Evacuation planning

  • 2.1. Evacuation plans
  • 2.2. Escape routes and muster stations
  • 2.3. Capacity of life-saving appliances
  • 2.4. Passengers with reduced mobility
  • 2.5. Emergency lighting
  • 2.6. Calculating evacuation times
  • 2.7. Evacuation simulation
  • 2.8. Alternative routes
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 3

Life-saving appliances

  • 3.1. Lifeboats and liferafts
  • 3.2. Marine evacuation systems (MES)
  • 3.3. Lifejackets and immersion suits
  • 3.4. Launching appliances
  • 3.5. Maintenance
  • 3.6. Annual inspection of life-saving appliances
  • 3.7. Liferaft service stations
  • 3.8. Lifeboat testing
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 4

Passenger and crowd management

  • 4.1. Human behavior in emergencies
  • 4.2. Communication and public address
  • 4.3. Crowd control
  • 4.4. Headcount
  • 4.5. Care for vulnerable people
  • 4.6. Panic management
  • 4.7. Multilingual signage
  • 4.8. Care for children
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 5

Drill design

  • 5.1. Objectives and scenarios
  • 5.2. Required frequency
  • 5.3. Abandon-ship, fire and man-overboard drills
  • 5.4. Combined drills with the port
  • 5.5. Safety during drills
  • 5.6. Gas leak drills
  • 5.7. Security drills
  • 5.8. Scenarios with casualties
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 6

Execution and evaluation

  • 6.1. Team coordination
  • 6.2. Recording and timing
  • 6.3. Performance indicators
  • 6.4. Debriefing
  • 6.5. Improvement plans
  • 6.6. Observers and external evaluation
  • 6.7. Recording drills on video
  • 6.8. Corrective actions
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 7

Coordination with external services

  • 7.1. Maritime rescue centers
  • 7.2. Port authorities
  • 7.3. Medical services
  • 7.4. Distress communications
  • 7.5. Joint exercises
  • 7.6. Helicopter exercises
  • 7.7. Communications with the rescue center
  • 7.8. Drills with fire services
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 8

Documentation and safety culture

  • 8.1. Records and the official logbook
  • 8.2. Audits
  • 8.3. Continuous training
  • 8.4. Leadership in emergencies
  • 8.5. Training records
  • 8.6. Leadership of group leaders
  • 8.7. Preparedness indicators
  • 8.8. Final project: a ship's drill program
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Plan your pace

Duration and format of the Professional Diploma in Shipboard Evacuation and Emergency Drills

It is 800 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
15
months to finish
67 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 Professional Diploma in Shipboard Evacuation and Emergency Drills

01Lead the initial response to emergencies: assess the situation, activate the emergency plan, raise the alarm and coordinate the first actions.
02Coordinate effective communication in critical situations, using standard terminology and checking understanding with authorities and emergency services.
03Implement efficient, adaptable evacuation protocols with clear, signposted routes and effective communication with everyone on board.
04Design and evaluate realistic drill plans that take into account human factors and fatigue, using checklists and post-drill debriefing.
05Minimize risks and improve the safety of people on board by applying emergency procedures efficiently and making quick decisions under pressure.
06Manage emergencies comprehensively through emergency and contingency plans and the leadership of multidisciplinary teams.
Careers

Career opportunities after the Professional Diploma in Shipboard Evacuation and Emergency Drills

01Ship safety officerplanning and coordinating emergency drills and keeping safety records on board.
02Shipping company safety and ISM officerdrill programs, audits and fleet emergency plans.
03Passenger ship crowd management staffevacuation, headcount and passenger care.
04Safety and emergency consultantadvice to shipping companies, ports and organizations on evacuation and drills.
05Emergency trainercourses and workshops on prevention, evacuation and drills.
06Safety auditorassessing the effectiveness of emergency and evacuation plans and identifying improvements.
Frequently asked questions

Questions about the Professional Diploma in Shipboard Evacuation and Emergency Drills

To check that the emergency plan works and that the crew responds correctly, and to identify improvements before a real emergency.

Yes. It is built around SOLAS, the ISM Code, the muster list and life-saving appliances, although the planning and evaluation methods are useful in ports and other facilities.

Abandon-ship, fire, man-overboard, gas leak and security drills, combined drills with the port and scenarios with casualties.

No. Navalis teaches the subject, but mandatory STCW certificates, such as crowd management or survival craft certificates, are issued by approved centers and the competent authority.

No. Experience in safety, emergencies or risk prevention is a good starting point; the admission interview confirms your fit.

You design a complete drill program for a ship, with scenarios, frequency, roles, evaluation indicators and improvement plans.

Fully online, through a virtual campus available 24/7, with live sessions that are recorded and tutorials with the teaching staff.

The professional diploma comprises 800 hours of study across 8 modules of about 100 hours each and ends with a final project. You can progress at your own pace within the schedule set when you enroll.

Related programs

More programs in Safety and survival

View the whole area →

Professional diploma · 800 hProfessional Diploma in Maritime Crisis Management and Rescue$740 · View program →Short course · 300 hRescue Strategies Course$420 · View program →Short course · 300 hOperational Safety Protocols Course$460 · View program →
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 deck officers and crew members, shipping company safety staff, occupational health and safety professionals, emergency team members, facility managers, risk and safety consultants, and students and graduates in safety, risk prevention or civil protection. A background in risk prevention, firefighting, safety or emergencies, or demonstrable experience in emergency management, is recommended; basic knowledge of emergency plans and first aid is an advantage.
  • 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: 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 $368 deposit

Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.

Any questions?

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.

Enroll now

Consent
Scroll to Top