Underwater Docking and Charging Stations Course
This course prepares you to understand and design underwater docking and charging stations, the infrastructure that allows autonomous vehicles to live on the seabed for long periods. You will study the resident vehicle concept, acoustic and optical guidance for docking, inductive charging and wet-mate connectors, data transfer and integration with subsea networks, an emerging technology with applications in offshore energy and ocean observation.
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 Underwater Docking and Charging Stations Course?
This short course prepares you to work on the infrastructure behind persistent underwater robotics. You will learn what resident vehicles are and how they compare with ship-based operations, the main types of docking station, how acoustic approach guidance and short-range optical guidance bring a vehicle in to dock, how capture and latching mechanisms cope with currents, how energy is transferred through inductive charging or wet-mate connectors, and how stations exchange data with cables, observatories and onshore operators.
What sets this course apart: a focus on an emerging technology that is one of the pillars of resident marine robotics; a systems view that links vehicle, station, energy, data and operation; applied engineering covering the mechanics, electronics and control of docking; real use cases in offshore energy, subsea observatories and inspection; an agile format of five application-focused modules; and a practical case in which you produce the conceptual design of a docking station.
Program highlights
- Emerging technology: one of the pillars of resident marine robotics.
- Systems view: vehicle, station, energy, data and operation.
- Applied engineering: mechanics, electronics and control of docking.
- Energy transfer: inductive charging, wet-mate connectors and battery management.
- Real use cases: offshore energy, subsea observatories and inspection.
- Practical case: the conceptual design of a docking station.
Syllabus of the Underwater Docking and Charging Stations Course
5 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Resident vehicles and docking stations
- 1.1. The resident vehicle concept
- 1.2. Advantages over ship-based operations
- 1.3. Types of docking station
- 1.4. State of the technology
- 1.5. Technical and operational challenges
Docking guidance and mechanics
- 2.1. Acoustic approach guidance
- 2.2. Short-range optical guidance
- 2.3. Vehicle control during docking
- 2.4. Capture and latching mechanisms
- 2.5. Effect of currents
Energy transfer
- 3.1. Energy needs of the vehicles
- 3.2. Inductive charging
- 3.3. Wet-mate connectors
- 3.4. Battery management
- 3.5. Station power sources
Data, communications and integration
- 4.1. Wireless data transfer
- 4.2. High-speed optical communications
- 4.3. Connection to cables and observatories
- 4.4. Remote operation from shore
- 4.5. Cybersecurity of the infrastructure
Operation and applications
- 5.1. Reliability on the seabed
- 5.2. Biofouling and maintenance
- 5.3. Applications in offshore energy
- 5.4. Applications in scientific observation
- 5.5. Practical case: conceptual design of a station
Duration and format of the Underwater Docking and Charging Stations 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 Underwater Docking and Charging Stations Course
Career opportunities after the Underwater Docking and Charging Stations Course
Questions about the Underwater Docking and Charging Stations Course
There are stations in use and pilot projects in the offshore sector, but large-scale resident operation is still under development.
A basic grounding is recommended; the course explains the concepts of energy transfer.
The work is done at conceptual and system design level, not at the level of manufacturing drawings.
Yes. It complements underwater navigation and marine drone fleet management well.
You produce the conceptual design of a docking and charging station for a specific use case.
Fully online, through a virtual campus available 24/7, with live sessions that are recorded and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The course comprises 300 hours of study across 5 modules of about 60 hours each and ends with an applied practical case. You can progress at your own pace within the schedule set when you enroll.
More programs in Underwater robotics
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.
- Profile: aimed at mechanical, electrical and electronic engineers who want to specialize in subsea infrastructure, underwater vehicle developers working on long-endurance autonomy, offshore professionals assessing resident solutions, ocean observatory technicians who operate cabled infrastructure and marine robotics researchers interested in persistent autonomy; prior studies or professional experience in engineering, robotics, the offshore sector or oceanography are recommended.
- 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.
- 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.