Short course300 h · Online · 5 modules

Waste Management on Board Vessels Course

This course gives you the tools and knowledge to comply with environmental regulations and improve the handling of waste on board. You will learn to identify, classify, store and deliver the different types of waste generated on vessels, from garbage and hazardous waste to sewage, gray water and oily residues, reducing their impact on the marine environment, keeping reliable records and building a waste management system that meets national and international requirements.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules5
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About the program

What is the Waste Management on Board Vessels Course?

This short course covers the practical management of waste on ships, yachts and other vessels within the framework of MARPOL and port requirements. You will study the obligations that apply on board and in port, the records and evidence required, and the roles of the master, the responsible officer, the crew and the shore organization; the vessel's garbage management plan; how to segregate domestic, operational, hazardous, sanitary and special waste and store it safely in confined spaces; the operation of sanitation systems and sewage treatment plants and protocols for discharging to port facilities; the handling of oily waste, bilge water and sludge, oily water separators and spill response; and how to organize records, standard operating procedures and coordination with marinas, ports and waste contractors.

What sets this course apart: an operational, on-board perspective that turns regulatory requirements into clear procedures, checklists and responsibilities; complete coverage of the main waste streams, from garbage and hazardous materials to black and gray water and oily residues; attention to safe storage, labeling and traceability in the limited space of a vessel; practical guidance on incidents such as overflows, leaks and minor spills; and a final project in which you implement and audit a complete waste management system for a real or realistic vessel, with records, port coordination and performance indicators.

Program typeShort course
ModeOnline
Duration300 hours
Modules5
Start1 December

Program highlights

  • Regulatory framework: MARPOL, port requirements, roles and the garbage management plan.
  • Segregation and storage: fractions, hazardous and sanitary waste, labeling and containment.
  • Sewage and gray water: sanitation systems, treatment plants and discharge protocols.
  • Oily waste and bilge: separators, transfer, spill prevention and response.
  • Records and control: SOPs, logbooks, evidence and coordination with ports and contractors.
  • Final project: implementing and auditing a waste management system on board.
Syllabus

Syllabus of the Waste Management on Board Vessels Course

5 modules. Select a module to see its content.

Module 1

Regulatory framework, shipowner responsibilities and the on-board compliance system

  • 1.1. Applicable international and port obligations: operating principles, records and required evidence
  • 1.2. Roles and responsibilities on board: master, responsible officer, crew and coordination with shore
  • 1.3. The vessel's garbage management plan: scope, procedures, segregation and documentary traceability
  • 1.4. Types of waste on board: domestic, operational, hazardous, sanitary and special waste by activity
  • 1.5. Signage, training and a culture of compliance: clear instructions, checklists and control by watch
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 2

Identification, segregation and safe storage of waste in confined spaces

  • 2.1. Segregation by fraction: organic, recyclable and non-recyclable waste and compatibility criteria
  • 2.2. Hazardous waste: oils, filters, paints, solvents, batteries, aerosols and contaminated packaging
  • 2.3. Sanitary and biological waste: hygienic handling, containers, risks and compliant disposal
  • 2.4. Temporary storage on board: location, ventilation, secondary containment and protection against spills
  • 2.5. Labeling and coding: unambiguous identification, dates, origin and person responsible for custody
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 3

Wastewater management and discharge operations: black water, gray water and treatment systems

  • 3.1. Sanitation systems on board: tanks, valves, pumps, macerators and discharge lines
  • 3.2. Operation of treatment plants: parameters, maintenance, alarms and criteria for safe operation
  • 3.3. Discharge protocols in port: coordination, connections, leak prevention and confirmation of receipt
  • 3.4. Gray water management: pollutant loads, reduction at source and good operating practice
  • 3.5. Incident control: overflows, backflows, blockages and immediate response with evidence
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 4

Oily waste, bilge and pollution prevention: handling, separation and delivery to a waste contractor

  • 4.1. Sources of oily waste: bilges, drains, sludge, minor spills and machinery maintenance
  • 4.2. Separation and treatment: separators, filters, control of emulsions and verification of performance
  • 4.3. Storage and transfer: tanks, hoses, connections, containment and safety procedures
  • 4.4. Spill prevention and response: kits, booms, absorbents, notification and control of the scene
  • 4.5. Management of contaminated consumables: rags, absorbents, filters and traceability of associated waste
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 5

Digitalization, operational control and final project implementing the on-board waste system

  • 5.1. Standard operating procedures (SOPs): checklists, roles, frequencies and documented change control
  • 5.2. Recording tools: logbooks, forms, photographic evidence and operational repositories
  • 5.3. Coordination with marinas, ports and waste contractors: planning per port call, availability and operating windows
  • 5.4. Management of incidents and complaints: investigation, corrective actions, follow-up and lessons learned
  • 5.5. Internal audit of the system: verification of segregation, storage, deliveries and compliance with KPIs
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Plan your pace

Duration and format of the Waste Management on Board Vessels 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 Waste Management on Board Vessels Course

01Minimize waste generation and maximize correct segregation on board through specific protocols for each waste type, crew training and better use of storage space.
02Comply with maritime environmental rules on waste by segregating, storing and delivering waste to authorized port facilities and keeping records up to date.
03Establish efficient protocols for temporary storage and delivery in port, with labeling, dedicated containers and recorded quantities in line with MARPOL.
04Raise crew awareness and train the crew in good waste practice to avoid illegal discharges, recycle efficiently and meet MARPOL requirements.
05Reduce the environmental impact of maritime operations by improving segregation, storage and delivery of waste and preventing accidental discharges.
06Implement recording and control systems that track the type, volume and final destination of waste using digital or paper logbooks.
Careers

Career opportunities after the Waste Management on Board Vessels Course

01Waste officer on boardresponsible for the correct segregation, storage and delivery of waste in port in line with current rules.
02Maritime environmental consultantadvice to shipping companies, yacht managers and ports on waste management plans and compliance.
03Port waste inspectorsupervision of compliance with waste rules by vessels and port reception facilities.
04Port reception facility technicianoperation of waste collection and treatment equipment in the port environment.
05Environmental management auditor for vesselsverification of on-board environmental management systems relating to waste.
06Trainer in maritime waste managementdelivery of courses and workshops on good waste practice on board and in ports.
Frequently asked questions

Questions about the Waste Management on Board Vessels Course

To prevent marine pollution by minimizing the waste generated on board and ensuring that each type is segregated, stored, treated or delivered ashore correctly and in compliance with the rules.

Garbage and recyclables, hazardous waste such as oils, paints and batteries, sanitary waste, black and gray water, and oily residues such as bilge water and sludge.

Yes. MARPOL and port reception requirements are the reference framework, translated into practical procedures, records and responsibilities on board.

Yes. The principles of segregation, storage, discharge and record-keeping apply to all vessels, and the course includes coordination with marinas as well as commercial ports.

No. On completion you receive the Navalis Institute course certificate; any official qualification or authorization required by a flag or port state is issued by the competent authority.

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 project. You can progress at your own pace within the schedule set when you enroll.

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 and engine crew, safety officers and officers responsible for environmental compliance, staff of shipping and ship management companies, port inspectors and maritime authorities, and nautical and marine engineering students; training in environmental management or maritime subjects, or experience in vessel operations or waste management, is helpful but not essential, as is basic familiarity with MARPOL.
  • 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 and spreadsheets.
  • 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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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.

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