Wearable Technology for Sailors Course
This course shows you how to bring smart, wearable devices into your life at sea to improve safety, efficiency and performance. You will learn to choose, configure and use smartwatches, biometric sensors, man overboard devices and connected safety gear, to read the data they provide in real time, to link them with your boat's navigation and communication systems and to keep them working in a demanding marine environment.
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 Wearable Technology for Sailors Course?
This short course introduces you to wearable technology applied to navigation and life on board. You will study the difference between personal devices, body sensors, nautical equipment and onboard safety systems; the main types of wearable, from smartwatches and bands to biometric sensors, MOB devices, connected lifejackets and smart clothing; the sensors and connectivity behind them; man overboard detection and personal alerting; monitoring of fatigue, heat stress and rest; and the analysis of personal and navigation data with apps and digital logbooks, always with attention to privacy and responsible use of biometric information.
What sets this course apart: a practical, sea-focused approach that tests every device against humidity, salt, impacts, battery life and limited connectivity; a clear view of what wearables can and cannot do, with human supervision and emergency procedures always in the loop; worked cases from racing, ocean passages, crewed boats and water sports; guidance on configuration, firmware, alarms and maintenance; and a final project in which you design a complete wearable plan for a real or simulated sailor or crew.
Program highlights
- Types of wearable: smartwatches, bands, biometric sensors, MOB devices, connected lifejackets and smart clothing.
- Sensors and connectivity: GPS, accelerometers, barometer, pulse oximetry, Bluetooth, satellite and personal AIS.
- Man overboard detection, automatic alerts, geolocation and recovery protocols.
- Monitoring fatigue, heat stress, dehydration, effort and rest on board.
- Data analysis with apps and digital logbooks, with privacy and data protection built in.
- Final project: a wearable configuration, use and emergency plan for a real or simulated case.
Syllabus of the Wearable Technology for Sailors Course
5 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Fundamentals of wearable technology, navigation and personal monitoring in maritime environments
- 1.1. The concept of wearable technology and the differences between personal devices, body sensors, nautical equipment and onboard safety systems
- 1.2. Applications for sailors: safety, health, performance, communication, location, comfort and activity logging
- 1.3. Types of wearable: smartwatches, bands, biometric sensors, MOB devices, connected lifejackets and smart clothing
- 1.4. Monitored variables: heart rate, temperature, movement, location, fatigue, sleep, falls overboard and environmental exposure
- 1.5. Conditions in the marine environment: humidity, salinity, impacts, vibration, battery life, limited connectivity and water resistance
Devices, sensors, connectivity and configuration of nautical wearables
- 2.1. Biometric sensors, accelerometers, gyroscopes, GPS, barometer, compass, pulse oximeter and environmental sensors
- 2.2. Location devices, man overboard units, emergency alerts and personal communication while sailing
- 2.3. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, mobile networks, satellite, radio, personal AIS and communication with the boat's systems
- 2.4. Initial set-up, pairing, permissions, user profiles, alarms, synchronization and firmware updates
- 2.5. Battery management, charging, autonomy, physical protection and maintenance in the marine environment
Personal safety, man overboard, health and risk prevention on board
- 3.1. MOB systems, fall-overboard detection, automatic alerts, geolocation and recovery protocols
- 3.2. Monitoring vital signs, fatigue, heat stress, dehydration, physical effort and the sailor's rest
- 3.3. Alerts for immobility, sudden changes in movement, sun exposure, cold, heat or adverse weather
- 3.4. Integrating wearables with lifejackets, technical clothing, safety equipment and mobile apps
- 3.5. Device limitations and the need for human supervision, maintenance and emergency procedures
Data, applications, analysis and performance improvement in navigation
- 4.1. Logging routes, physical activity, effort, sleep, pace, distance, speed, altitude, weather and sailing conditions
- 4.2. Mobile apps and analysis platforms to visualize personal, navigation, training and safety data
- 4.3. Basic interpretation of metrics to improve performance, rest, decision-making and planning of days on board
- 4.4. Integrating wearable data with digital logbooks, navigation systems, weather apps and sports platforms
- 4.5. Privacy, personal data security, app permissions and responsible use of biometric information
Applied project: wearable technology for sailors
- 5.1. Defining the case: recreational sailor, racer, crew, skipper, kayaker, snorkeller or maritime worker
- 5.2. Identifying needs for safety, health, location, communication, performance and activity logging
- 5.3. Selecting devices, sensors, apps, connectivity, alarms and criteria for integration with the boat
- 5.4. Designing the plan for configuration, use, maintenance, privacy and emergency response
- 5.5. Evaluating simulated or real data to interpret performance, safety, fatigue, routes and sailing conditions
Duration and format of the Wearable Technology for Sailors 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 Wearable Technology for Sailors Course
Career opportunities after the Wearable Technology for Sailors Course
Questions about the Wearable Technology for Sailors Course
Depending on the device and how it is connected: position, speed and route, heart rate, effort, sleep and fatigue, temperature and sun exposure, and alerts such as a fall overboard. Some wearables can also mirror data from the boat's instruments, such as wind or depth.
No. Wearables complement, but do not replace, lifejackets, personal locator beacons and the boat's safety equipment. Module 3 explains their limitations and why human supervision and emergency procedures remain essential.
No. A smartphone or smartwatch is useful for the practical exercises, but the course can be followed with simulated data and the demonstrations provided.
Yes. It covers how to log and analyze effort, rest, speed and routes to improve performance and decision-making, with examples drawn from racing, ocean passages and crewed boats.
Module 4 covers privacy, personal data security, app permissions and responsible use of biometric information, which is especially important when you monitor a whole crew.
Through practical exercises in each module, device configuration and data-interpretation cases, and a final project in which you design a wearable plan for a real or simulated sailor or crew.
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.
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Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.
- Profile: aimed at merchant and recreational sailors, racers, sailing instructors and nautical schools, nautical companies developing devices or apps, and health and well-being professionals working with people at sea; basic knowledge of navigation, electronics or computing, or a demonstrable interest in wearable technology, 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; a smartphone or smartwatch is useful for the practical exercises but not essential.
- 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.