Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced ECDIS Operation and Voyage Planning
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced ECDIS Operation and Voyage Planning. 8 modules covering SOLAS Chapter V, Regulation 19 (carriage requirements for ECDIS), IMO Res. MSC.232(82) (ECDIS performance standards) and Wärtsilä Navi-Sailor 4000 ECDIS. Personal tutor assigned and open enrolment.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Interpret the IMO regulatory framework applicable to ECDIS.
Differentiate electronic chart formats and their updating.
Use the advanced functions of ECDIS safely.
Plan voyages following the stages of appraisal, planning, execution and monitoring.
Supervise voyage execution by integrating radar, AIS and other sensors.
Recognise errors, failures and risks associated with over-reliance on ECDIS.
Prepare a complete, justified voyage plan using ECDIS.
Who it's for
- Deck officer wishing to specialise in Advanced ECDIS Operation and Voyage Planning.
- Merchant navy captain wishing to specialise in Advanced ECDIS Operation and Voyage Planning.
- ECDIS instructor wishing to specialise in Advanced ECDIS Operation and Voyage Planning.
- Navigation superintendent wishing to specialise in Advanced ECDIS Operation and Voyage Planning.
- Navigation safety auditor wishing to specialise in Advanced ECDIS Operation and Voyage Planning.
- Electronic chart specialist wishing to specialise in Advanced ECDIS Operation and Voyage Planning.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to enter the merchant navy.
What you'll work with
- SOLAS Chapter V, Regulation 19 (carriage requirements for ECDIS)
- IMO Res. MSC.232(82) (ECDIS performance standards)
- IHO S-52 (presentation of electronic charts)
- IHO S-57 and S-100 (hydrographic data)
- IEC 61174 (ECDIS testing)
- IMO Res. A.893(21) (guidelines for voyage planning)
- STCW Code (ECDIS training)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1SOLAS Regulation V/19 and mandatory carriage1.2Performance standards MSC.232(82)1.3IEC 61174 testing standard1.4Certification and type approval1.5Back-up arrangements1.6Generic and specific training under STCW1.7MSC.1/Circ.1503 guidance circular1.8Port State Control inspections1.9Software updates and versions1.10Practical: ECDIS compliance audit of a ship
2.1ENC charts under S-572.2Presentation under IHO S-522.3S-63 data protection and permits2.4Raster charts (RNC) and RCDS mode2.5Usage bands and scales2.6Updates and Notices to Mariners2.7Data quality CATZOC and zones of confidence2.8Transition to S-100 and S-1012.9Distributors and chart services2.10Workshop: ENC licence and update management
3.1Safety contour and safety depth3.2Alarm and alert configuration3.3Display categories: base, standard and all3.4Radar and AIS overlay3.5Vectors and motion prediction3.6Indexed parallel navigation3.7Voyage recording and playback3.8Connected sensors and their integrity3.9Orientation and motion modes3.10Practical: configuring safety parameters
4.1IMO A.893(21) guidelines4.2Appraisal of nautical information4.3Under keel clearance and squat4.4Route construction4.5Safety corridors (XTD)4.6Automatic route checking4.7Points of no return and aborts4.8Special areas and traffic4.9Contingency plan4.10Laboratory: complete voyage plan in ECDIS
5.1Route monitoring5.2Independent position verification5.3Alarm management in navigation5.4Navigation in restricted waters5.5Coastal navigation and pilotage5.6Use of AIS and radar in ECDIS5.7Route change during the voyage5.8Records and the navigational logbook5.9Bridge team coordination5.10Practical: executing a landfall in simulator
6.1ECDIS-assisted accidents6.2Over-reliance on automation6.3Configuration and scale errors6.4Sensor failures and degradation6.5ECDIS cyber security6.6Total failure and back-up procedures6.7Known operational anomalies6.8MAIB accident investigation6.9Fatigue and workload management6.10Case study: analysis of the Ovit grounding
7.1ECDIS on the integrated bridge7.2RTZ route exchange7.3S-Mode and interface standardisation7.4IMO e-navigation7.5MSP maritime services7.6Autonomous navigation and ECDIS7.7S-102 high-resolution bathymetry charts7.8Overlaid meteorological information7.9Simulator-based training7.10Workshop: route exchange in RTZ format
8.1Voyage and vessel selection8.2Collection of publications8.3ECDIS configuration8.4Route design8.5Checking and validation8.6Contingency plan8.7Monitoring plan8.8Risk report8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Training 100 % online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded lectures and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Wärtsilä Navi-Sailor 4000 ECDIS, Furuno FMD ECDIS, Kongsberg K-Sim Navigation bridge simulator, OpenCPN, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical tests are studied using real voyage planning procedures on an ECDIS simulator, error and alarm detection in routes, and navigation exercises with sensor failure. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Interpret the IMO regulatory framework applicable to ECDIS.
Differentiate electronic chart formats and their updating.
Use the advanced functions of ECDIS safely.
Plan voyages following the stages of appraisal, planning, execution and monitoring.
Supervise voyage execution by integrating radar, AIS and other sensors.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme comprises 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
You work with Wärtsilä Navi-Sailor 4000 ECDIS, Furuno FMD ECDIS, Kongsberg K-Sim Navigation bridge simulator, OpenCPN. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM own diploma upon passing continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification issued by the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed on a course or diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher-level programme. Consult the recognition policy when you enrol.
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