Vessel Operations Planning Course
This course gives you the essential tools to make every vessel operation safer and more efficient. You will learn to prepare departures, assess weather windows, plan fuel, provisions and crew, coordinate the operation with checklists and clear communications, and keep the vessel technically available through maintenance and logistics planning. It prepares you to lead operations with confidence, from the initial plan to execution and final review, on recreational, tourist, commercial and work vessels.
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 Vessel Operations Planning Course?
This course covers the planning of vessel operations as a whole, before, during and after each trip. You will study the types of operation and the people involved, how route, vessel, crew, weather and documentation interact, route definition with shelters and alternatives, weather and safe operating windows, planning of fuel, water, power and provisions, crew roles and watches, documentation checks, briefings, checklists for each phase, coordination of maneuvers and embarkation, communications with port and authorities, real-time monitoring through the logbook, preventive maintenance, spare parts and inventory, and technical traceability.
What sets this course apart: unlike a route or passage planning course, it treats the route as only one part of the operation and integrates crew, safety, maintenance, logistics and documentation into one plan; it is designed for small and medium-sized vessels and fleets rather than large merchant ships; it gives you practical tools such as phase-by-phase checklists, logbook routines and maintenance records; and it ends with an applied project in which you build a complete operating, maintenance and cost plan for a real or simulated vessel or small fleet.
Program highlights
- Route definition with anchorages, shelters, stops and navigation alternatives.
- Weather, sea state, tides and currents to decide safe operating windows.
- Planning of fuel, water, power, provisions, spare parts and crew roles and watches.
- Briefings, phase-by-phase checklists, maneuver coordination and real-time monitoring.
- Preventive maintenance, inventory, suppliers and technical traceability of the vessel.
- Final project: an operating, maintenance, logistics and cost plan for a vessel or small fleet.
Syllabus of the Vessel Operations Planning Course
5 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Fundamentals of operational planning, nautical management and the safe organization of vessel operations
- 1.1. The concept of vessel operations planning and the differences between navigation, service, maintenance, logistics and day-to-day management
- 1.2. Types of operation: recreational, tourist, commercial, technical, sporting, port and maritime support
- 1.3. Key players: skipper, crew, owner, operator, customers, port, suppliers, authorities and technical staff
- 1.4. The relationship between route, vessel, crew, weather, fuel, safety, documentation and the objectives of the service
- 1.5. Risks of poor planning: delays, cost overruns, technical failures, incidents, cancellations and loss of operational quality
Preparing departures, routes, weather and operational resources
- 2.1. Defining the route, duration, departure and arrival points, anchorages, shelters, stops and navigation alternatives
- 2.2. Assessing weather, wind, sea state, tides, currents, visibility, temperature and safe operating windows
- 2.3. Planning fuel, water, power, provisions, spare parts, communications and support equipment
- 2.4. Organizing the crew: roles, watches, responsibilities, rest and any training needed beforehand
- 2.5. Checking documentation, permits, insurance, certificates, passenger lists and the requirements of the activity
Operational coordination, safety, checklists and control during the voyage
- 3.1. Pre-departure briefing for crew, passengers or customers on route, rules, risks, roles and emergency procedures
- 3.2. Checklists before departure, under way, at anchor, during maneuvers, on return, at the end of the day and at vessel handover
- 3.3. Coordinating berthing, unberthing, anchoring, loading, unloading, embarkation, disembarkation and passenger assistance
- 3.4. Managing communications with the port, marina, operations base, authorities, suppliers and nearby vessels
- 3.5. Monitoring the operation in real time through the logbook, position, consumption, incidents, timings and changes of plan
Maintenance, technical availability and logistics management of the vessel
- 4.1. Planning preventive and corrective maintenance, periodic inspections, haul-outs, cleaning and technical preparation
- 4.2. Checking engines, electrical systems, batteries, pumps, electronics, hull, deck, ground tackle and safety equipment
- 4.3. Managing spare parts, tools, consumables, inventory, suppliers, purchasing and storage on board
- 4.4. Coordinating repairs, inspections, certification, technical assistance and out-of-service periods
- 4.5. Recording breakdowns, interventions, engine hours, consumption, expiry dates, incidents and technical traceability
Applied project: planning vessel operations
- 5.1. Defining the case: a sailing yacht, motorboat, yacht, catamaran, tourist vessel, workboat or small fleet
- 5.2. Diagnosing the operation, routes, crew, customers, weather, maintenance, documentation, costs and main risks
- 5.3. Designing the operating plan with routes, resources, roles, checklists, communications, safety and navigation alternatives
- 5.4. Preparing the maintenance, logistics, inventory, suppliers, records and technical availability plan
- 5.5. Developing the cost model, indicators, service quality, sustainability and continuous improvement
Duration and format of the Vessel Operations Planning 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 Vessel Operations Planning Course
Career opportunities after the Vessel Operations Planning Course
Questions about the Vessel Operations Planning Course
To make every operation safe and efficient: the right vessel, crew, route and resources ready at the right time, with clear procedures and alternatives if conditions change.
Route planning is only one part of it. This course integrates the route with crew organization, briefings and checklists, communications, maintenance, logistics, documentation and costs into a single operating plan.
Small and medium-sized vessels and fleets: sailing yachts, motorboats, catamarans, tourist vessels, workboats and similar. The final project can be based on any of them.
Yes. Module 4 is devoted to preventive and corrective maintenance, technical checks, spare parts and inventory, repairs and the technical records that keep the vessel available.
No. Navalis Institute teaches operations planning; skipper and master licenses are issued by the competent maritime authority after its own requirements and examinations.
Basic knowledge of navigation or maritime operations is recommended so that you can apply the planning tools to realistic cases from the start.
Through practical exercises and case studies in each module and a final project in which you build a complete operating, maintenance and cost plan for a vessel or small fleet.
Fully online, through a virtual campus available 24/7, with live sessions that are recorded, downloadable materials, discussion forums 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 project. You can progress at your own pace within the schedule set when you enroll.
More programs in Bridge and navigation
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.
- Profile: aimed at operations managers, fleet supervisors, maritime logistics staff, skippers and crew, shipping and nautical companies, and students of maritime programs; basic knowledge of navigation or maritime operations is recommended.
- Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
- Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection and an up-to-date browser.
- 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.