Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic director focused on measurable results and operational excellence in maritime education. Integrates IMO/STCW regulations and ISO 21001/9001 f
Course · 300 h · 5 modules
Course in Subsea Docking and Charging Stations
The Course in Subsea Docking and Charging Stations Prepares you to understand and design subsea docking and charging stations, the infrastructure that allows autonomous vehicles to live on the seabed for long periods. You will stu
Duration300 h
FormatOnline
Starts7 December
Places20 / 20
Prior knowledge
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Programme overview
What is the Course in Subsea Docking and Charging Stations?
The Course in Subsea Docking and Charging Stations
Prepares you to understand and design subsea 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 that is still being proven at scale.
Key advantages
- Emerging technology: One of the pillars of resident marine robotics.
- A systems view: Vehicle, station, power, data and operations.
- Applied engineering: Mechanics, electronics and docking control.
- Real use cases: Offshore energy, seabed observatories and inspection.
- Case study: Conceptual design of a docking station.
Programme type
Course
Study mode
Online
Duration
300 hours
Modules
5
Programme highlights
- Understand the concept: Learn about resident vehicles.
- Guide the docking: Apply acoustic and optical guidance.
- Transfer power: Analyse inductive charging and connectors.
- Manage data: Integrate the station into subsea networks.
- Boost your career: Apply your skills at robotics, offshore and ocean observation organisations.
- Train to design the infrastructure that will enable a permanent robotic presence on the seabed.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 5 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
Resident Vehicles and Docking Stations
- The resident vehicle concept
- Advantages over vessel-based operations
- Types of docking station
- State of the technology
- Technical and operational challenges
02
Docking Guidance and Mechanics
- Acoustic homing
- Short-range optical guidance
- Vehicle control during docking
- Capture and latching mechanisms
- The effect of currents
03
Power Transfer
- Vehicle energy requirements
- Inductive charging
- Wet-mate connectors
- Battery management
- Station power sources
04
Data, Communications and Integration
- Wireless data transfer
- High-speed optical communications
- Connecting to cables and observatories
- Remote operation from shore
- Infrastructure cybersecurity
05
Operations and Applications
- Reliability on the seabed
- Biofouling and maintenance
- Applications in offshore energy
- Applications in scientific observation
- Case study: conceptual design of a station
Workload
Study Time and Workload
300 hours of study, online and at your own pace. Move the slider to the hours a week you can really put in.
Hours a week8
Weeks to finish—
You finish around—
Who it is for
Mechanical, electrical or electronic engineers: who want to specialise in subsea infrastructure Underwater vehicle developers: working on long-endurance autonomy Offshore sector professionals: who evaluate resident solutions Ocean observatory technicians: who operate cabled infrastructure Marine robotics researchers: interested in persistent autonomy
Faculty
Academic direction and faculty
The teaching team at Navalis: working professionals who deliver and oversee the institute's programmes.
Eng. Diego Cifuentes
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Eng. Tomás Riera
Verified reviews
Student Reviews
Reviews collected and verified by Opynio, not written by us.
Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
- 01Understand residency
- 02Know the station types
- 03Analyse docking guidance
- 04Study power transfer
- 05Integrate data and communications
- 06Assess operations
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Subsea systems engineer: Designing resident infrastructure.
02Vehicle integration engineer: The interface between vehicle and station.
03Remote operations technician: Supervising resident robots.
04Offshore technology consultant: Evaluating resident solutions.
Questions
Entry Requirements
Some stations are in service and there are pilots in the offshore sector, but large-scale resident operation is still being developed.
A basic grounding is recommended; the course explains power transfer concepts.
The work is at conceptual and systems level, not fabrication drawings.
It complements underwater navigation and marine drone fleet management well.
The conceptual design of a docking and charging station for a specific use case.
100% online, with a virtual campus available 24/7, live sessions that are recorded, and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The programme involves 300 hours of study. You can work at your own pace within the timetable we give you when you enrol.
Each programme has its own start date, shown on this page and confirmed by our admissions team when you enquire.
On completing the programme you receive the Course in Subsea Docking and Charging Stations qualification awarded by Navalis Magna Institute.
Online admissions
Admissions Process
No waiting for a phone call. If your documents are complete, you can pay in the same session.
Entry requirements
Entry profile: University studies or professional experience in engineering, robotics, the offshore sector or oceanography. Language: A good working level of English to follow classes and materials. Technical requirements: A computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a webcam for live sessions and project presentations. Admissions process: Online application, profile review and a short interview with the academic team. We confirm your start date when you enquire.
Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Leave your details and admissions will write back. If you already know this is the one, go straight to the application and pay in the same session.