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 Maritime Drones
This program prepares you to master the emerging technology that is transforming the maritime industry. Learn to operate, maintain, and maximize the potential of drones in a variety of applications. It provides you with the tools…
Duration800 h
FormatOnline
Starts14 December
Places20 / 20
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Programme overview
What is the Diploma in Maritime Drones?
The Diploma in Maritime Drones
This program prepares you to master the emerging technology that is transforming the maritime industry. Learn to operate, maintain, and maximize the potential of drones in a variety of applications. It provides you with the tools and knowledge necessary to efficiently and safely perform inspections, surveillance, search and rescue, mapping, and environmental monitoring.
This program provides you with the tools and knowledge necessary to efficiently and safely perform inspections, surveillance, search and rescue, mapping, and environmental monitoring.
Differentiating Advantages
- Practical Approach: Learn by doing with simulations and real-world case studies.
- Expert Instructors: Receive training from professionals with extensive experience in the maritime sector and drone operation.
- Broad Coverage: Explore the diverse applications of drones in the maritime field, from infrastructure inspection to emergency management.
- Regulatory Compliance: Understand current legislation and best practices for operating drones legally and safely.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with other professionals in the sector and expand your network.
Programme type
Diploma
Study mode
Online
Duration
800 hours
Modules
8
Start date
27-11-2026
Programme highlights
- Master drone technology: Learn to operate and maintain drones designed for the maritime environment.
- Key applications in the sector: Discover how drones are revolutionizing infrastructure inspection, coastal surveillance, and marine logistics.
- Regulatory framework and safety: Understand current regulations and best practices for safe and responsible flying.
- Data analysis and remote sensing: Interpret the information captured by drones for strategic decision-making.
- Success stories and practical projects: Learn from real-world experiences and develop skills applicable to your professional field.
- Boost your career in the maritime industry with the future of aerial technology.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 8 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
Introduction to Unmanned Maritime Vehicles (USV/UUV/ROV)
- Classification and Taxonomy of Maritime Drones: Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV), Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV/UUV) and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV)
- Fields of application and marine use cases: Inspection of offshore infrastructure, bathymetry, maritime defence, oceanographic conservation and search/rescue (SAR)
- Fundamentals of Maritime Physics and Hydrodynamics: Buoyancy, Transverse and Longitudinal Stability, Centre of Gravity and Thrust of Archimedeans Applied to Drones
- Fluid and Drag Dynamics (DRAG): Hull design for USV (mono-hulls, catamarans, trimarans) and hydrodynamic bodies for UUV/ROV
- Pressure resistance in hyperbaric environments - design of pressure vessels, waterproof sealing, O-rings (O-Rings) and submarine cable penetrators
- Cost-Operative Analysis: Comparison between traditional hydrographic vessels and marine drone fleets in exploration missions
- State of the Art and Global Trends: Total Autonomy on the High Seas, Sea Swarms and Hybrid Integration (Air Drone + Marine Drone)
- History and Civil and Military Applications
02
Propulsion systems, energy and electronic architecture
- Submarine and surface propulsion systems: magnetic thrusters (thrusters), water jet (waterjets), rigid candles for USV E Ducted propeller (Kort Nozzle)
- Energy storage at sea: Lithium-ion batteries, LiFePO4, hydrogen fuel cells and battery management (BMS) in the marine environment
- Integrated Renewable Generation Systems: Solar, Wind and Wave Wave Capture for Long-Term Maritime Drones (Long-Endurance USVS)
- On-board control hardware architecture: processing units (Pixhawk, Ardupilot Marine, Raspberry Pi, Jetson Nano) and communication buses (Can Bus, Modbus, RS485)
- Electronic protection and thermal management: heat dissipation in watertight boxes, internal condensation control and selection of marine connectors (WET-MATE/DRY-MATE)
- Actuators and manoeuvreing systems: marine servo motors, rudder governor, hydraulic and variable balllast (VBS) for depth control in UUV
- Marine electrical safety: galvanic insulation, short circuit protection by saline filtration and emergency cutting systems (kill switches)
- Charging systems and energy autonomy
03
Marine sensors, payloads and bathymetry
- Positioning and Navigation Systems: GPS/GNSS Differential, RTK, PPK, Magnetic and Fibre Optic Compasses (FOG), and Inertial Measurement Units (IMU/AHRS)
- Submarine acoustic positioning: LBL (Long Baseline), SBL (Short Baseline) and USBL (ultra-short baseline) systems for UUV/ROV location
- Acoustic and hydro-sacoustic sensors: single-beam and multi-beam echo sounders (MBES), side-sweep (SSS) sonars and seabed profilers (sub-bottom profiler)
- Vision and underwater photogrammetry systems: High-definition cameras with optical correction for water, high-depth LED lighting and 3D lasers
- Oceanographic and environmental sensors: CTD (conductivity, temperature, depth), fluorometres, turbidimetres and hydrocarbon detectors
- Doppler acoustic current profilers (ADCP): measurement of sea currents at different depths from autonomous platforms
- Integration of custom payloads: Power interfaces, temporary sync (NMEA/PPS) and real-time data acquisition protocols
- Sensor calibration and data processing
04
Autonomous navigation, control and maritime artificial intelligence
- Control Laws for Marine Vehicles: PID Control, Slide Mode Control, and Model-Based Predictive Control (MPC) for Heading and Depth
- Estimated Navigation and Sensor Integration (Sensor Fusion): Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) combining DVL (Doppler Velocity Log), IMU and GPS
- Prevention of collisions at sea according to Colreg: Algorithmic implementation of international rules to avoid approaches in USV autonomous
- AI environment perception: detection and classification of marine objects (boyas, buoys, rubble) through neural networks and computer vision
- Autonomous Route Planning: A*, Dijkstra and Potential Fields for Bathymetric Coverage and Dynamic Obstacle Evasion
- Swarming Operation Systems (Swarm Robotics): Coordination of multiple marine drones for mass mapping or oil spill monitoring
- Simulation of maritime vehicles: use of virtual environments (Gazebo, UWSIM, ROS/ROS2) for testing of control algorithms before deployment in water
- Collision Avoidance Algorithms
05
Maritime communications, telemetry and ground control stations (GCS)
- Surface RF communications: high-frequency radio links, long-range Wi-Fi, coastal 4G/5G networks and data link protocols (data link)
- Satellite communications (SATCOM): integration of Iridium, Inmarsat and Starlink links for control and monitoring at sea without coastal coverage
- Underwater acoustic communications: acoustic modems, data transfer rates in water, latency and overcoming the submarine multipath effect
- Umbilical communications in ROV: fibre optic and copper cables, design of winches (winches) and collector rings (slip rings)
- Ground Control Station Design (GCS): HMI interfaces for telemetry, mission planning, bathymetric display and manual control by JoyPads
- Cybersecurity in maritime drones: encryption of control links (AES-256), GPS protection Spoofing and mitigation of cybernetic kidnappings
- Storing and Processing of Massive Data (Edge Computing): Management of on-board data records (logs) and selective transmission by restricted bandwidth
- Satellite and radio links for maritime drones
06
Naval Maintenance, Materials and Maritime Operations
- Marine materials for drone construction: fibreglass, carbon fibre, marine grade aluminium (5083/6061-T6), Titanium and engineering plastics (POM/Delrin)
- Prevention of galvanic and marine corrosion: use of sacrificial anodes (zinc/aluminium), marine epoxy coatings and metal passivation
- Biofouling control (biological scale): Anti-fouling paints, integrated UV-C systems and preventive maintenance of hulls and sensors
- Launching and Recovery Manoeuvreing Procedures (LARS): Design of cranes, ramps and automatic hooking systems on board of mother ships
- ROV/UUV Preventive and Corrective Maintenance: Testing of sealing by vacuum testing, hydraulic seal change and propeller calibration
- Operation in adverse weather conditions: Calculation of operational limits according to the state of the sea (SEA State / Douglas Scale) and Corrientes
- Operational Safety and Health at Sea: Link Loss Response Protocols (FailSafe), Drone Rescue Drones and Risk Management in Deck
- Launch and Recovery from Vessels
07
International regulations, legislation and certification of maritime drones
- Regulatory framework of the IMO for MASS: Study of the autonomous ships of the Merchant Navy (Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships) and their degrees of autonomy
- Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and Maritime Drones: Legal Status of the USV/UUV, Freedom of Navigation in International Waters and Sovereignty in Exclusive Economic Zone (ZEE)
- Regattas and Maritime Traffic Regulations Regulation: Compliance with local regulations of port captaincies for testing of marine drones
- Classification and Inspection Societies: DNV, Lloyd's Register and ABS guidelines for design approval, sea testing and USV/ROV certification
- Maritime insurance and civil liability: hedges for operational risks, damage to third parties, collisions and compensation for losses at sea
- Radio frequencies and emission permits: Regulation of the ITU (International Telecommunications Union) for transmission of marine data
- Industrial quality and safety standards - ISO regulations applied to marine robotics and safety audits in offshore missions
- Insurance and civil liability
08
Capstone Project: Design, Simulation and Operational Plan for a Maritime Drone Mission
- Definition of the mission scenario: selection of the operational application (e.g., offshore wind farm inspection, navigable channel bathymetry or environmental monitoring)
- Vehicle architecture selection: drone type justification (USV, UUV or ROV), structural design of the hull/body and main dimensions
- Integration of the propulsion and energy balance system: calculation of the operational autonomy, selection of batteries/generators and sizing of propellers
- Payload design and sensors: Selection and integration of systems of vision, sonar, inertial positioning and communications
- Navigation Simulation and Control Algorithm: Validation of the Drone Dynamic Behaviour and Obstacle Evasion in Simulated Environment (ROS/Gazebo)
- Risk Management Plan and Regulatory Compliance: Preparation of the Operations Manual, Risk Matrix, Colreg Analysis and Emergency Procedure
- Presentation and defence of the mission plan
- Final presentation: Defence of the technical project before a court made up of naval engineers, ROV/USV pilots and specialists in marine robotics
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
Engineers and technicians seeking to specialize in the operation and maintenance of drones applied to the maritime environment. Maritime professionals (fishing, aquaculture, transportation) interested in optimizing their operations through the use of drones for inspection, surveillance, and mapping. Maritime and port security companies wishing to implement innovative drone solutions for surv
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
- 01Inspect and assess maritime infrastructure
- 02Manage and analyze marine geospatial data
- 03Develop and maintain maritime drone systems
- 04Optimize maritime search and rescue operations
- 05Implement innovative solutions for marine environmental monitoring
- 06Apply current regulations to maritime drone operations
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Maritime Inspection and Surveillance: Monitoring of coastal infrastructure, border control, and maritime security.
02Research and Rescue: Search for missing persons, damage assessment of shipwrecks, and emergency support.
03Maritime Cartography and Topography: Data collection for map creation, 3D modeling of the seabed, and hydrographic studies.
04Agriculture and Fisheries: Monitoring of marine crops, control of fishing activity, and tracking of marine species.
05Marine Energy: Inspection of oil platforms and offshore wind farms, and assessment of energy resources.
06Environment: Monitoring of marine pollution, tracking of protected species, and environmental impact assessment.
07Logistics and
08Transportation: Optimization of maritime routes, port traffic control, and vessel fleet management.
09Scientific Research: Collection of oceanographic data, studies of marine life, and exploration of inaccessible areas.
Questions
Entry Requirements
The primary operating environment is maritime.
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.
Maritime sector, including professionals such as oceanographers, marine biologists, hydrographers, naval engineers, coast guards and personnel from maritime transport companies.
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 (Aeronautical, Telecommunications, Mechanical, etc.), Nautical, Oceanographic, or related technical qualification; Demonstrable professional experience in maritime operations, drone piloting, or maintenance of electronic/mechanical equipment.Previous Knowledge:Basic knowledge of maritime navigation, meteorology, aviation legislation (especially drones), and electronic/computer systems.Desired Skills: Teamwork, analytical and problem-solving skills, familiarity with flight planning and data processing so
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Frequently Asked Questions
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