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 Underwater Camera and Sensor Systems
Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of underwater inspection and exploration. Learn to master cutting-edge technologies used to capture images and data in deep-sea environments, from the operation and maintenance of…
Duration800 h
FormatOnline
Starts9 November
Places20 / 20
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Programme overview
What is the Diploma in Underwater Camera and Sensor Systems?
The Diploma in Underwater Camera and Sensor Systems
Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of underwater inspection and exploration. Learn to master cutting-edge technologies used to capture images and data in deep-sea environments, from the operation and maintenance of high-resolution cameras to the analysis of data collected by specialized sensors. This program prepares you to face the challenges of the underwater industry, opening doors to opportunities in sectors such as oceanography, offshore energy, underwater archaeology, and infrastructure inspection.
Differentiating Advantages
- In-depth Knowledge: Master the physics of light in water, the operation of different types of cameras and sensors, and underwater image processing techniques.
- Practical Skills: Learn to operate and maintain underwater filming and detection equipment, diagnose problems, and perform basic repairs.
- Specialized Software: Gain experience with underwater image visualization and data analysis software.
- Real-World Applications: Explore case studies of underwater projects in various sectors, from pipeline inspection to the documentation of submerged archaeological sites.
- Industry Experts: Learn from professionals with experience operating underwater camera and sensor systems in challenging environments.
Programme type
Diploma
Study mode
Online
Duration
800 hours
Modules
8
Start date
27-11-2026
Programme highlights
- Master Underwater Technology: Immerse yourself in the analysis, operation, and maintenance of state-of-the-art underwater cameras and sensors.
- Apply Across Diverse Sectors: Learn to use these systems in exploration, inspection, rescue, scientific research, and the offshore industry.
- Become an Expert: Gain specialized knowledge in underwater image processing, sensor calibration, and data communication.
- Expand Your Career Opportunities: Stand out in a booming job market with in-demand skills in engineering, oceanography, and underwater robotics.
- Professional Certification: Receive a recognized diploma that validates your skills and propels you toward success professional.
- Dare to explore the depths and lead innovation in the underwater world.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 8 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
Basics of underwater observation, underwater image and ocean sensors
- Fundamentals of systems of cameras and submarine sensors applied to inspection, research, environmental monitoring and maritime operations
- Differences between underwater cameras, oceanographic sensors, acoustic systems, remote platforms and fixed observation networks
- Submarine medium: pressure, salinity, temperature, low visibility, turbidity, corrosion and communication limitations
- Applications in Underwater Archeology, Marine Biology, Aquaculture, Offshore, Ports, Security, Underwater Robotics and Infrastructure Inspection
- Main components: watertight housings, optical, lighting, cables, connectors, batteries, recorders and control units
- Selection criteria according to depth, autonomy, resolution, precision, robustness, maintenance and operational objective
- Construction of a comprehensive view of submarine systems as a combination of visual capture, environmental measurement, data transmission and safe operation
- Regulations and good practices in underwater observation campaigns
02
Underwater cameras, lighting, optics and underwater image capture
- Types of underwater cameras: compact, professional, ROV cameras, fixed cameras, 360° cameras, special thermals and low-light systems
- Principles of underwater optics: colour absorption, dispersion, refraction, visibility distance, focus and distortion by casing
- Underwater lighting by LED spotlights, strobes, continuous light, colour temperature, power, angle of coverage and control of shadows
- Image settings: resolution, frame rate, exposure, white balance, sensitivity, compression and storage
- Assembly of cameras in divers, ROV, AUV, buoys, aquaculture cages, fixed structures and temporary installations
- Frequent problems: fogging, leaks, suspended particles, reflections, loss of colour, image noise and lack of stability
- Construction of visual capture procedures that guarantee useful, traceable and suitable images for technical or scientific analysis
- Colour correction and white balance in underwater image
03
Underwater sensors, environmental measurement and oceanographic data acquisition
- Temperature, pressure, depth, salinity, conductivity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, pH, chlorophyll and water quality sensors
- Acoustic sensors, hydrophones, sonars, echo sounders, profilers, altimetres and underwater detection systems
- Orientation, Navigation and Positioning Sensors: IMU, Digital Compasses, DVL, USBL, LBL and Surface-assisted GNSS Systems
- Sensors for technical inspection: corrosion detection, thicknesses, leaks, vibrations, deformations and structural condition
- Calibration, compensation, accuracy, drift, sampling frequency and data validation under real submarine conditions
- Integration of multiple sensors in submarine platforms with temporary synchronisation and coordinated information registration
- Construction of reliable measurement systems that allow the interpretation of the submarine environment with technical, environmental and operational criteria
- Deployment of buoys, anchors and submarine measurement stations
04
Underwater platforms, communications, power and systems architecture
- Integration of cameras and sensors in ROV, AUV, USV, oceanographic buoys, fixed stations, port structures and deployable systems
- Underwater communications by umbilical cable, acoustic, fibre optic, surface radio, surface Wi-Fi and delayed data recovery
- Power supply by batteries, external, umbilical, surface panels, consumption management and operational autonomy
- Housings, seals, connectors, penetrators, anti-corrosive materials, pressure compensation and design for sealing
- Control architecture with recorders, microcontrollers, compact PLCs, shipped computers, monitoring and telemetry software
- Thermal management, mechanical protection, buoyancy, ballast, stability, ease of recovery and maintenance in the field
- Construction of robust underwater architectures that integrate sensors, cameras, communications and energy according to the type of mission
- Real-time data transmission from underwater platforms
05
Image processing, data analysis and artificial intelligence applications
- Underwater data management: Nomenclature, metadata, georeferencing, sync, storage, backup and traceability
- Underwater Image Processing: Colour Correction, Turbidity Reduction, Stabilization, Contrast Enhancement and Noise Elimination
- Underwater photogrammetry, orthomosaics, 3D models, object measurement, visual inspection and scientific documentation
- Analysis of oceanographic data through time series, trends, maps, profiles, thresholds, anomalies and cross validation
- Artificial intelligence for detection of species, structural defects, archaeological objects, pollution, networks, fissures and environmental changes
- Dashboards, GIS systems, cloud platforms, digital twins and technical reports for visualisation of results
- Construction of analysis flows that transform image and underwater data into useful information for decision, research or maintenance
- Management and storage of large volumes of image data
06
Installation, operation, maintenance, security and management of underwater risks
- Planning of installation and deployment campaigns according to depth, currents, visibility, climate, logistics, permits and technical objective
- Installation procedures with divers, ROVs, support boats, buoys, guide lines, supports, anchors and recovery systems
- Operational security for personnel, equipment and environment: pressure, entanglement, electricity, batteries, navigation, wildlife, maritime traffic and meteorology
- Preventive maintenance of housings, lenses, seals, connectors, batteries, cables, lighting, sensors and registration systems
- Fault diagnosis: signal loss, leaks, low autonomy, erroneous data, corrosion, biofouling, decalibration and mechanical damage
- Environmental management, impact reduction, equipment recovery, waste prevention and good practices in sensitive ecosystems
- Construction of operating procedures that ensure continuity, security, data quality and protection of the submarine environment
- Periodic calibration and drift control of sensors
07
Professional applications in inspection, research, aquaculture, ports and marine safety
- Inspection of hulls, propellers, keels, docks, piles, emissaries, pipes, submarine cables and offshore infrastructures
- Environmental monitoring of reefs, sea grasslands, sedimentary funds, water quality, biodiversity and protected areas
- Aquaculture applications: cage monitoring, fish behaviour, water quality, netting, feeding and failure detection
- Support for underwater archeology through visual documentation, photogrammetry, location of remains and monitoring of deposits
- Marine and port security: object detection, restricted zone monitoring, post-incident inspection, and underwater search
- Integration with predictive maintenance, asset management, emergency operations and maritime information systems
- Construction of solutions adapted to different sectors through adequate selection of sensors, platforms and analysis criteria
- Monitoring of critical infrastructures and underwater cables
08
Final applied project of systems of cameras and submarine sensors
- Case definition: Infrastructure Inspection, Environmental Monitoring, Aquaculture, Underwater Archeology, Port Security or Oceanographic Research
- Diagnosis of the operating environment with depth, visibility, current, temperature, salinity, accessibility, risks and data requirements
- System design with cameras, lighting, sensors, housing, connectivity, power, deployment and storage platform
- Preparation of the installation plan, operation, calibration, maintenance, security and recovery of the submarine system
- Development of the flow of image processing, data analysis, visualisation, reports, quality control and traceability
- Drafting of the comprehensive technical report with architecture, costs, risks, limitations, indicators and success criteria
- Budget, schedule and maintenance plan for the proposed system
- Presentation and defence of the final project with technical, operational and environmental validation of the designed submarine system.
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, maintenance, and repair of underwater systems.Marine scientists and researchers requiring deep-learning in the use of cameras and sensors for observing and analyzing the underwater environment.Offshore professionals involved in the inspection, construction, or maintenance of underwater infrastructure.Engineering, oceanography,
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
- 01Diagnosing and repairing common faults
- 02Operate and maintain underwater camera systems
- 03Interpreting and analyzing visual and sensory data
- 04Integrate and calibrate advanced sensors
- 05Design and implement visual inspection solutions
- 06Adapting and optimizing systems for environmental conditions
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Operation and Maintenance Technician for camera and sensor systems on remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs).
02Specialist in data acquisition and processing of data obtained with underwater vision systems for scientific research, infrastructure inspection, or exploration.
03Technical Consultant for underwater engineering projects requiring the implementation of visual monitoring and control systems.
04Researcher/Developer in research and technological development centers, focusing on new applications of underwater cameras and sensors.
05Underwater Inspector of offshore structures, pipelines, submarine cables, and other submerged infrastructure, using high-resolution camera systems.
06Sales and Support Technician for companies that manufacture or distribute underwater equipment and technologies.
07Sonar and acoustic imaging systems operator on research or prospecting vessels.
08Aquaculture technician for the monitoring and control of marine crops using underwater camera systems.
Questions
Entry Requirements
The main focus is the study and application of underwater camera and sensor systems for capturing data and images in aquatic environments.
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.
Submarine/aquatic.
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 Electronic Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, Oceanography, or related field; or demonstrable professional experience in the operation/maintenance of underwater equipment.Technical Competence:Basic knowledge of electronics, programming (desirable), and familiarity with marine environments.Documentation:Updated CV, copy of degree or work experience certificate, ID/Passport, cover letter explaining motivation and relevant experience.Technical Requirements (for online):Equipment with camera/microphone, stable in
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