Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic director focused on measurable results and operational excellence in maritime education. Integrates IMO/STCW regulations and ISO 21001/9001 f
Diploma · 800 h · 8 modules
Diploma in Naval Sensors and Automation
This program prepares you to master the key technologies that drive efficiency and safety in the modern maritime industry. You will learn in-depth about the operation, maintenance, and diagnostics of advanced sensor systems, as…
Duration800 h
FormatOnline
Starts23 November
Places20 / 20
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Programme overview
What is the Diploma in Naval Sensors and Automation?
The Diploma in Naval Sensors and Automation
This program prepares you to master the key technologies that drive efficiency and safety in the modern maritime industry. You will learn in-depth about the operation, maintenance, and diagnostics of advanced sensor systems, as well as the implementation of automation solutions on ships and offshore platforms. Acquire practical skills in PLC programming, SCADA system integration, and data analysis to optimize performance and reduce operating costs. This program provides you with the necessary tools to excel as a highly sought-after professional in the naval sector.
Differential Advantages
- Real-World Case Studies: Analysis of successful implementations and common challenges in the naval industry.
- Practical Simulations: Use of specialized software for the configuration and programming of automated systems.
- Industry Experts: Classes taught by professionals with extensive experience in sensors and naval automation.
- Professional Certification: Obtain a recognized diploma that validates your knowledge and skills.
- Networking: Connect with other professionals in the sector and expand your career opportunities.
Programme type
Diploma
Study mode
Online
Duration
800 hours
Modules
8
Start date
29-11-2026
Programme highlights
- Naval Sensor Fundamentals: Master the theory and principles of sensors used in the naval industry.
- Advanced Automation: Learn to design and implement automated systems to optimize operational efficiency.
- Systems Integration: Connect and control various sensors and actuators on complex naval platforms.
- Maintenance and Calibration: Acquire practical skills in the preventive and corrective maintenance of automation systems.
- Regulations and Safety: Comply with maritime safety standards and regulations in ship automation.
- Prepare to lead the Innovation and efficiency in the naval sector with our specialized diploma.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 8 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
Basics of Underwater Automation and Naval Control Systems
- Naval Engineering Control Systems Architecture: Open Loops, Closed Loops and PID Controllers Applied to Navigation and Stability
- Marine industrial communication networks: NMEA 0183 protocols, NMEA 2000, CAN Bus, Modbus and Ethernet Industrial Submarine
- Marine electronic instrumentation: signal conditioning, A/D and D/A conversion, and galvanic isolation in saline environments
- Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) and RTUS Certified Marine Applications (DNV, ABS, Lloyd's)
- Uninterruptible power supply (UPS), electrical noise filtering and on-board transient surge protection
- On-board computers and high-performance embedded systems for real-time sensory data processing
- Naval Automation Functional Security: SIL (Safety Integrity Level) and Fail-safe System Design
- Distributed control architectures
02
Marine propulsion, auxiliary and hull monitoring sensors
- Power plant sensorization: speed encoders, optical and inductive torque metres, and fuel efficiency metres
- Machinery Condition Monitoring: Vibration Transducers (Piezoelectric/MEMS) and Pt100 Temperature Sensors/Thermocouples
- Marine Fluid and Level Sensors: Hydrostatic, Ultrasonic and Capacitive Pressure Transmitters for Ballast, Fuel and Bilges
- Hull Integrity Monitoring: Strain Gauges for measurement of static and dynamic stresses in the structure
- Gas, flame and smoke detection sensors in machine rooms and critical load warehouses
- Wear sensors and lubricating oil status: in-line spectrometry and measurement of metallic particles
- Calibration, Loop Test and Preventive Maintenance of Machine Instrumentation
- Pressure and temperature sensors in motors
03
Navigation, Hydroacoustic and Submarine Positioning Sensors
- Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) and Fibre Optic Gyroscopes (FOG) / Laser (RLG) for Determination of Heading and Attitude (Pitch, Roll, Yaw)
- High-precision GNSS sensors (DGPS, RTK) and Marinized multi-constellation receivers
- Acoustic transducers and echo sounders: Monobeam, Multibeam and Side-sweep sonars for bathymetry and obstacle detection
- Underwater acoustics and hydroacoustic positioning systems: USBL (ultra-short baseline), SBL and LBL (Long Baseline)
- Doppler acoustic current metres (ADCP): measurement of current profiles in the water column
- Integration of navigation radars (ARPA), visibility sensors and automatic identification (AIS/VDES)
- Docking Systems: Docking Systems: Laser/Lidar and Millimeter Radar Technology
- Heading and speed sensors
04
Dynamic Positioning Systems (DP) and Auto Governance
- Architecture of a dynamic positioning system (DP1, DP2 and DP3) according to MSC/IMO and IMCA regulations
- Position reference sensors for DP: Taut Wire (voltage cable), Artemis, Cyscan, Radascan and acoustic systems
- Integrated environmental sensors in DP: ultrasonic anemometres, ship movement sensors (MRU) and satellite compasses
- DP control algorithms: Kalman filters for state estimation, wind/current force modelling and optimum thrust
- Automation of rudders and servo motors: adaptive autopilots and integration with azimuthed propellers and bow thrusters
- Redundancy management, failure mode analysis and its effects (FMEA) in DP control systems
- Failure drills, sea trials (Sea Trials) and certification of operators/dynamic positioning systems
- DP and redundancy classes
05
Automation of ROVs, AUVs and autonomous underwater vehicles
- Control architecture in underwater robotics: embedded controllers, underwater fieldbuses and wet connectors (WET-MATEABLE)
- Advanced ROV sensing: acoustic altimetres, high precision depth sensors and submarine gyps
- Autonomous navigation in AUVs: Sensory fusion via INS + DVL (Velocity Log) and periodic position corrections
- Automation of hydraulic and electrical manipulator arms - servo-mechanical control, force feedback and haptic
- Automatic control of buoyancy, trim and depth stabilisation in underwater vehicles
- Automated underwater vision sensors: stereoscopic cameras, 3D reconstruction systems by structured light and computer vision
- Umbilical communication protocols (fibre optic) and wireless acoustic/optics communication in water
- Control of underwater vehicles
06
Marine SCADA systems, data networks and on-board supervision
- Design and implementation of SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems and HMI for bridge and machine console
- Integration of marine alarm management systems under IMO (A.1021) and ISO 2412
- Marinized Ethernet networks: redundant ring topologies (MRP, RSTP) and structured cabling for harsh environments
- Telemetry and ship-to-shore data gateways: compressed transmission via satellite (VSAT, LEO/STARLINK)
- Industrial Cybersecurity in Naval Networks: Network Segmentation (IEC 62443), Marine Firewalls and Asset Protection OT
- Storage and History of Massive Data on Board (Black Box / VDR - Voyage Data Recorder)
- Ergonomic man-machine interfaces for the reduction of cognitive fatigue in nautical personnel
- Alarm and historical management
07
Predictive Maintenance, Digital Twins and Naval Artificial Intelligence
- Integration of industrial IoT sensor networks (IIoT) for continuous monitoring in machine health (CBM)
- Automatic fault diagnosis by analysis of sensor data with machine learning algorithms
- Digital twins (digital twins) of ships: real-time modelling of structural, hydrodynamic and mechanical behaviour
- Weather routing based on wind/wave and engine sensorization
- Artificial intelligence applied to sonar and radar processing for automatic detection/sorting of submerged targets
- Automation of integrated preventive maintenance processes with nautical ERP/CMMS systems
- Trends in Autonomous Merchant and Military Vessels (Mass - Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships): IMO Autonomy Levels
- Sensor Data Analytics
08
Instrumentation and control in naval systems
- Naval Sensors and Transducers
- Data Acquisition Systems
- PID Control Loops and Regulators
- Instrument calibration
- Control of auxiliary processes
- Functional Safety in Instrumented Systems
- Instrumentation documentation
- Diagnosis and maintenance of instrumentation
Workload
Study Time and Workload
800 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
Naval and Marine Engineers seeking to specialize in the instrumentation and control of naval systems.Technicians and Maintenance Personnel responsible for the operation and maintenance of electronic and automated equipment on board.Engineering Students wishing to explore the field of naval automation and advanced sensor technology.Shipyard and Naval Repair Company Personnel needing to update
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
- 01Optimizing predictive maintenance of naval systems
- 02Implementing automated control systems on naval platforms
- 03Diagnosing and troubleshooting faults in naval sensor systems
- 04Integrate and calibrate sensors for maritime navigation and safety
- 05Managing naval automation projects
- 06Design and implement data communication networks on ships
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Naval Automation Technician: Installation, maintenance, and repair of automated systems on ships.
02Naval Control Engineer: Design, development, and implementation of control systems for ship navigation and operations.
03Naval Sensor Specialist: Calibration, configuration, and data analysis of sensors used in monitoring the ship and its environment.
04Automated Systems Maintenance Supervisor: Management and coordination of maintenance teams for automation and control systems on vessels.
05Naval Automation Consultant: Technical advice on the implementation of automated systems to improve efficiency and safety on ships.
06Automated Systems Inspector: Verification of compliance with regulations and safety standards in automation systems on ships.
07Automation Software Developer Naval: Creation and adaptation of software for the control and monitoring of systems on vessels.
08Technical sales of sensors and automation systems: Consulting and marketing of automation and sensor solutions for the naval sector.
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Questions
Entry Requirements
Automation and sensor systems in the naval field.
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.
Yeah.
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/Undergraduate Degree in Engineering (Electronics, Mechatronics, Naval, etc.), Physics, or related higher technical qualification; or demonstrable professional experience in automation, electronics, or marine maintenance.Previous Knowledge:Basic knowledge of electronics, programming (PLC), and control systems is recommended.Documentation:Updated CV, copy of degree or work experience certificate, ID/Passport, cover letter.Skills:Analytical and problem-solving skills, proficiency in technical software, teamwork skills.```
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Frequently Asked Questions
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