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 on the Psychology of Crew and Captains
This course provides you with the essential tools to understand and manage human dynamics on board. You will learn to optimize communication, resolve conflicts effectively, and foster a positive and safe work environment. This…
Duration300 h
FormatOnline
Starts14 December
Places20 / 20
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Programme overview
What is the Course on the Psychology of Crew and Captains?
The Crew and Captains Psychology
This course provides you with the essential tools to understand and manage human dynamics on board. You will learn to optimize communication, resolve conflicts effectively, and foster a positive and safe work environment. This program focuses on empathic leadership, stress management, and improving the well-being of the entire crew, including your own. Master the skills needed to build a cohesive and resilient team.
Key Benefits
- Understand Human Psychology: Identify behavioral patterns and improve interpersonal interaction.
- Effective Leadership: Develop leadership skills that inspire trust and collaboration.
- Conflict Management: Learn conflict resolution techniques to maintain harmony on board.
- Onboard Well-being: Promote a healthy work environment and reduce stress and fatigue.
- Assertive Communication: Improve communication to avoid misunderstandings and strengthen teamwork.
Programme type
Course
Study mode
Online
Duration
300 hours
Modules
5
Start date
10-12-2026
Programme highlights
- Understanding Group Dynamics: Learn to identify and manage group dynamics that influence crew performance and well-being.
- Effective Communication: Develop assertive communication and active listening skills to improve collaboration and prevent conflict.
- Stress and Pressure Management: Acquire tools to manage individual and collective stress, crucial in demanding maritime environments.
- Situational Leadership: Adapt your leadership style to the specific needs of each situation and crew member.
- Conflict Resolution: Master techniques to address and resolve conflicts constructively, fostering a harmonious work environment.
- Apply psychology to optimize performance and safety in the environment maritime.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 5 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
Operational maritime psychology, human factors and dynamics of coexistence in confined environments
- Psychological peculiarities of the work embarked: Isolation, boarding cycles, limited privacy and operational pressure
- Human factors and error: sustained attention, mental load, cognitive biases and degraded decision making
- Culture of safety and psychological climate: trust, without guilt, informal rules and coherence of the command
- Maritime Environmental Stress: Noise, Vibration, Movement, Shifts and Effects on Performance and Coexistence
- Early signs of impairment: irritability, impulsivity, apathy, memory failures of work and risk behaviours
02
Captain leadership, legitimate authority and psychology of command in high-responsibility operations
- Command identity: responsibility, judgment, behavioural consistency and construction of legitimacy
- Applied leadership styles: managerial, situational, participatory and mission-oriented according to risk and context
- Decision making under uncertainty: bias, temporary pressure, “go/no-go” and management of operational repentance
- Captain communication: command intention, clarity, priorities, closed loop confirmation and rumor control
- Emotional management of the command: self-regulation, tactical calm, team containment and prevention of emotional contagion
03
Team psychology, multicultural cohesion and interdepartmental coordination in guards and manoeuvres
- Team formation: stages, roles, standards, cohesion and performance with observable signals
- Multicultural communication: differences in style, language barriers, operational simplification and shared standards
- Bridge–Machine–Deck–Service Coordination: Critical Interfaces, Handovers, Priorities and Friction Reduction
- Typical on-board conflicts: root causes, climbing, functional mediation and progressive discipline
- Motivation and Morals: Sense of Purpose, Perceived Justice, Recognition and Prevention of Subgroups
04
Stress, fatigue and mental health at sea: prevention, early intervention and operational continuity
- Maritime fatigue: sleep deprivation, circadian rhythms, shifts, micro-rest and realistic countermeasures
- Acute and Chronic Stress: Activation, Performance, Somatization and Deterioration of Judgment in Critical Tasks
- Burnout and moral wear: risk factors, signals, phases and preventive measures by work design
- Anxiety and Panic Management: Containment, Reframing, Tactical Breathing and Safe Return to Tasks
- Problematic consumption and risk behaviours: prevention, limits, internal protocols and responsible referral
05
Psychosocial evaluation, intervention tools and final climate improvement project on board
- Climate diagnosis and psychosocial risks: short interviews, behavioural indicators and friction map
- Assessment instruments: structured observation, behavioural rubrics, 360° feedback and traceability
- Command conversation protocols: feedback, difficult conversations, limits, agreements and tracking
- Support and mentoring programmes: Onboarding, multicultural integration, peer support and isolation prevention
- Indicators and impact measurement: Incidents, conflicts, rotation, compliance, morale and operational performance
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
Captains and First Officers seeking to lead more effectively, manage conflicts, and foster a positive work environment.Officers on Watch (OOW) and crew members interested in improving communication, teamwork, and emotional intelligence on board.Fleet Managers and HR personnel wishing to implement wellbeing strategies to reduce stress and fatigue among the crew.Maritime instructors and traine
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
- 01Optimize communication and cohesion among crew members
- 02Develop strategies for the effective management of stress and fatigue in maritime environments
- 03Promoting resilient and empathetic leadership in captains
- 04Implement psychological assessment techniques for the selection and development of maritime personnel
- 05Establish protocols for psychological intervention in crisis and emergency situations at sea
- 06Promote the psychological well-being and mental health of the crew
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Crew Selection Psychologist: Candidate assessment, psychometric testing, interviews.
02Crew Support Psychologist: Stress and fatigue management, conflict resolution, onboard well-being.
03Human Factors Consultant in Ship Design: Ergonomics, safety, interface optimization.
04Leadership and Communication Skills Trainer for Captains: Soft skills development, team management, emotional intelligence.
05Human Behavior Researcher in Maritime Environments: Accident analysis, human error prevention, safety improvement.
06Onboard Conflict Mediator: Communication facilitation, dispute resolution, improving the work environment.
07Change Management Consultant in the Maritime Industry: Adaptation to New technologies, implementation of new policies, management of resistance to change.
08Forensic psychologist in maritime investigations: Analysis of the behavior of those involved in accidents, preparation of expert reports.
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Questions
Entry Requirements
Lead and coordinate the team to achieve mission objectives, maintaining a positive and safe work environment.
Yes. The itinerary includes ECDIS/Radar-ARPA/BRM with harbor, ocean, fog, storm, and SAR scenarios.
Online with live sessions; hybrid option for simulator/practical placements through agreements.
Poor group dynamics, characterized by poor communication, interpersonal conflicts, or ineffective leadership, can decrease crew performance, increase the likelihood of errors, and jeopardize operational safety. Conversely, positive dynamics, based on trust, mutual respect, and collaboration, improve decision-making, task coordination, and responsiveness to critical situations, promoting efficiency and safety.
Recommended functional SMCP. We offer support materials for standard phraseology.
Yes, with a relevant degree or experience in maritime/port operations. The admissions interview will confirm suitability.
Optional (3–6 months) through Companies & Collaborations and the Alumni Network.
Simulator practice (rubrics), defeat plans, SOPs, checklists, micro-tests and applied TFM.
A degree from Navalis Magna Institute + operational portfolio (tracks, SOPs, reports and KPIs) useful for audits and employment.
Online admissions
Admissions Process
No waiting for a phone call. If your documents are complete, you can pay in the same session.
Entry requirements
Academic/Professional Profile:Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, or a related degree in social sciences/humanities; or proven professional experience in team management, human resources, or training in high-performance environments.Specific Knowledge:Basic knowledge of human factors, stress management, and group dynamics.Additional Skills:Interpersonal communication skills, active listening, and analytical skills.Documentation:Updated CV, copy of degree, ID/Passport, cover letter detailing interest in psychology applied to crew and captaincy environments.Technical Re
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