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 the Psychology of Work at Sea
This course is designed to help you understand and address the unique challenges faced by professionals in maritime environments. This program will provide you with the tools to manage stress, isolation, communication, and…
Duration300 h
FormatOnline
Starts7 December
Places20 / 20
Prior knowledge
Prior Knowledge Assessment
These are the skills this programme builds. Tick the ones you already have and we will tell you which part of the syllabus is really for you.
Your profile
Tick what you already know to see your result.
Programme overview
What is the Course in the Psychology of Work at Sea?
The Offshore Work Psychology Course
This course is designed to help you understand and address the unique challenges faced by professionals in maritime environments. This program will provide you with the tools to manage stress, isolation, communication, and teamwork in extreme conditions, optimizing well-being and work performance. We will cover topics such as cultural adaptation, prevention of psychosocial risks, and effective leadership at sea, with a practical and results-oriented approach.
Differential Advantages
- Stress and Anxiety Management: Techniques for maintaining calm and emotional balance in critical situations.
- Effective Communication: Strategies for improving interpersonal communication and resolving conflicts on board.
- Cultural Adaptation: Understanding and respecting cultural differences to foster a harmonious work environment.
- Prevention of Psychosocial Risks: Identifying and mitigating factors that can affect mental health and well-being.
- Leadership at Sea: Developing leadership skills to motivate, inspire, and guide teams in challenging environments.
Programme type
Course
Study mode
Online
Duration
300 hours
Modules
5
Start date
09-12-2026
Programme highlights
- Understand: the unique psychological dynamics of the maritime work environment.
- Learn: strategies for managing stress, isolation, and group cohesion at sea.
- Develop: effective communication and leadership skills in high-pressure environments.
- Apply: techniques to improve crew mental well-being and productivity.
- Promote: a positive and safe work environment on board ships and platforms.
- Transform the work culture at sea with key insights from Work Psychology.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 5 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
Fundamentals of maritime labour psychology, human adaptation and working conditions at sea
- Concept of work psychology on the high seas and differences against work psychology on land, organisational psychology and maritime occupational health
- Characteristics of maritime work: isolation, long shifts, continuous coexistence, family separation and exposure to operational risks
- Psychological factors associated with navigation, offshore platforms, merchant ships, fishing, cruises and remote operations
- Relationship between psychological well-being, operational safety, performance, communication and crew climate
- Frequent psychosocial risks: stress, fatigue, loneliness, anxiety, interpersonal conflict and emotional wear and tear
02
Stress, fatigue, sleep and mental health in isolated maritime environments
- Basics of work stress and differences between acute stress, chronic stress, operational pressure and emotional overload
- Physical and mental fatigue, turning, guards, lack of rest and effects on attention, judgment and security
- Sleep on the high seas: circadian rhythms, interruptions, noise, vibration, artificial light and insufficient recovery
- Early signs of anxiety, irritability, demotivation, isolation, exhaustion and impairment of performance
- Basic strategies of self-care, sleep hygiene, pauses, emotional regulation and search for support
03
Coexistence, communication and management of relationships in crews
- Fundamentals of work coexistence in small spaces and differences between professional relationship, forced coexistence and team bond
- Effective communication, active listening, clarity of instructions, feedback and prevention of misunderstandings
- Conflict management, tensions, rumors, cultural differences, hierarchies and personal styles of work
- Crew cohesion, trust, mutual support and sense of belonging in maritime campaigns
- Emotional leadership, role of command and safe psychological climate on board
04
Human Performance, Decision Making and Operational Safety at Sea
- Human factors in maritime operations and relationship between attention, perception, memory, communication and human error
- Decision making under pressure, uncertainty, adverse weather, emergencies and resource limitation
- Mental burden, multitasking, prolonged surveillance and reduction of situational awareness
- Risk behaviours, overconfidence, normalization of deviations and coordination failures
- Error prevention strategies: Checklists, Briefings, Pauses, Closed Communication and Cross Review
05
Applied Project of Psychology of Work on the High Seas
- Case definition: merchant ship, fishing vessel, offshore platform, cruise ship, yacht, scientific boat or crew in long campaign
- Diagnosis of psychosocial risks: stress, fatigue, coexistence, communication, leadership, sleep and organisational support
- Design of a preventive plan for psychological well-being, rest, communication and conflict management
- Preparation of basic protocols to support emotional crisis, critical incidents and deterioration of the crew climate
- Definition of monitoring indicators, review routines, training and continuous improvement of on-board well-being
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
Maritime professionals seeking to improve communication and teamwork in challenging environments.Supervisors and leaders wishing to optimize the psychological well-being of their crews and reduce work-related stress.HR and workplace well-being professionals interested in implementing effective strategies to support mental health at sea.Doctors and nurses who want to better understand the psy
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
- 01Mitigating stress and improving mental resilience in maritime environments
- 02Promoting team cohesion and effective communication in isolated conditions
- 03Optimize individual and collective performance through adaptive coping strategies
- 04Identify and manage the psychosocial factors that influence safety and well-being on board
- 05Develop leadership and decision-making skills in crisis situations
- 06Applying psychological assessment techniques for the selection and development of maritime personnel
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Human Resources Management Consultant: personnel selection, team development, and occupational risk prevention in offshore environments.
02Occupational Health and Safety Technician: implementation of wellness programs, and stress and fatigue management in extreme conditions.
03Conflict Resolution Mediator: crisis and interpersonal conflict management on platforms and vessels.
04Psychosocial Skills Trainer: leadership development, effective communication, and teamwork in the maritime sector.
05Human Factors Researcher: accident and incident analysis, and design of safe and efficient work systems.
06Work Psychologist in Engineering and Shipbuilding Companies: personnel selection and development for offshore projects.
07Ergonomics and Design Consultant Workplace Adaptation: Adapting work environments to the physical and psychological needs of workers.
08Executive Coach: Developing leadership and management skills for executives in the offshore sector.
09```
Questions
Entry Requirements
Isolation, long working shifts, dangerous conditions, separation from family and friends, and confinement in small spaces.
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.
Anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and exhaustion.
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:Degree in Psychology, Sociology, Human Resources, or related disciplines.Additional training in Work and Organizational Psychology, Stress Management, or Crisis Intervention.Professional experience in personnel selection, performance evaluation, team management, or crisis intervention, preferably in demanding or high-risk work environments.Specific Competencies:Knowledge of psychosocial factors at work, work-related stress, coping techniques, group dynamics, and interpersonal communication.Ability to apply psychological assessment tools and des
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.