Diploma in Salvage, Lightering and Pollution Control
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in salvage, lightering and pollution control. 8 modules covering the legal framework of salvage, technical assessment of casualties, salvage and refloating operations, lightering and ship-to-ship transfer, pollution control at sea, contingency planning and liability and compensation, applying the 1989 International Convention on Salvage, the OPRC Convention 1990 and MARPOL Annex I Chapter 8, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Salvage, Lightering and Pollution Control — studying from Australia
Australia's maritime sector is substantial, encompassing naval shipbuilding, offshore oil and gas, port operations and recreational boating. The Royal Australian Navy's shipbuilding programmes, including the Hunter class frigates and Henderson Defence Precinct in Western Australia, generate significant engineering demand. Offshore energy developments on the North West Shelf and in Bass Strait require marine and structural expertise. Recreational boating is widespread, supported by a strong sports nautical industry. Employers include naval shipbuilders, offshore operators, port authorities and marine equipment manufacturers.
Fees for Australia: A$2,380 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Australia
Typical roles
Questions from Australia
Is this training recognised by Australian maritime regulators such as AMSA?
SEIUM qualifications are private and are not official state degrees or accredited by national bodies. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority regulates maritime certificates and qualifications separately, and SEIUM training does not replace those requirements. Confirm with AMSA or your employer which credentials your intended role requires.
Which Australian employers might consider this qualification for naval or offshore work?
Offshore energy operators, shipbuilders, naval contractors, marine consultancies and sports nautical manufacturers are examples of Australian employers in this area. Their hiring decisions depend on their own criteria and on any required certifications. A private qualification is one factor among experience and licensing.
Can I study this part time from Australia, and can employers help pay?
Yes, the programmes are fully online and taught in English, so you can study from Australia without a student visa and fit learning around your schedule. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Confirm the total hours and expected pace before committing.
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
Apply the legal framework of salvage and wreck removal.
Technically assess the condition of a casualty.
Plan refloating and salvage operations.
Organise safe lightering and transfer operations.
Select pollution control techniques.
Coordinate contingency plans with the authorities.
Manage pollution liability claims.
Who it's for
- Marine salvage engineers.
- Oil spill response coordinators.
- STS operations superintendents.
- Marine casualty surveyors.
- Pollution response technicians.
- Port contingency planning managers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into marine salvage.
What you'll work with
- International Convention on Salvage 1989 (salvage rights and rewards)
- OPRC Convention 1990 (oil pollution preparedness, response and cooperation)
- MARPOL Annex I, Chapter 8 (ship-to-ship oil transfer operations)
- CLC Convention 1992 (civil liability for oil pollution damage)
- Fund Convention 1992 (IOPC Funds compensation)
- Bunkers Convention 2001 (liability for bunker oil pollution)
- Nairobi Convention 2007 (removal of wrecks)
- Royal Decree 1695/2012 (Spanish National Pollution Response System)
- NAPA Emergency Response
- OILMAP
- NOAA GNOME
- MAXSURF Stability
8 modules
1.1International Convention on Salvage 19891.2Salvage reward and the criteria of Article 131.3Special compensation under Article 141.4Lloyd's Open Form and the SCOPIC clause1.5Towage versus salvage1.6Role of the coastal state and places of refuge1.7Nairobi Convention on the Removal of Wrecks1.8Shipowner liability and limitation1.9Relationship with P&I and hull underwriters1.10Case study: legal analysis of a real salvage
2.1Initial inspection and damage assessment2.2Damage stability and flooded compartments2.3Longitudinal strength of the damaged hull2.4Grounding calculations and refloating forces2.5Emergency calculation software2.6Class emergency response services2.7Inventory of fuels and dangerous cargoes2.8Meteorological and oceanographic conditions2.9Salvage plan and alternatives2.10Practical exercise: refloating calculation for a grounded ship
3.1Dewatering and high-capacity pumps3.2Plugging leaks3.3Tugs and pulling equipment3.4Ground anchors and pulling tackle3.5Lightening and redistribution of weights3.6Air injection and buoyancy aids3.7Floating cranes and sheerlegs3.8Wreck removal and in-situ dismantling3.9Safety of divers and personnel3.10Case study: planning the refloating of a ro-ro
4.1STS operations under Chapter 8 of Annex I4.2STS plan and its approval4.3Yokohama fenders and hoses4.4Compatibility and communications between ships4.5Emergency transfer from casualties4.6Portable pumps for viscous crude oils4.7Heating of heavy fuel oils4.8Authorised areas and restrictions4.9OCIMF STS guide4.10Workshop: emergency fuel transfer plan
5.1Behaviour of spilled oil5.2Drift and weathering models5.3Ocean and coastal containment booms5.4Skimmers and recovery systems5.5Dispersants and criteria for their use5.6In-situ burning5.7Aerial and satellite surveillance of slicks5.8Tier 1, 2 and 3 response levels5.9Management of recovered waste5.10Practical exercise: drift simulation of a spill
6.1OPRC Convention 19906.2Shipboard SOPEP6.3National Maritime Plan and local plans6.4Spanish National Pollution Response System6.5European Maritime Safety Agency and its vessels6.6Coordination through the incident command system6.7Public communication during the emergency6.8Protection of sensitive natural areas6.9Shoreline clean-up and wildlife rehabilitation6.10Case study: tabletop exercise of a coastal spill
7.1CLC Convention and shipowner liability7.2IOPC Funds and the Supplementary Fund7.3Bunkers Convention 20017.4HNS Convention 20107.5Documenting response costs7.6Environmental damage assessment7.7Fisheries and tourism claims7.8Lessons from major historical casualties7.9Pollution liability insurance7.10Workshop: preparing a claim file for the IOPC Funds
8.1Defining the casualty scenario8.2Technical assessment of the ship8.3Salvage plan8.4Fuel transfer plan8.5Pollution response strategy8.6Coordination of resources and authorities8.7Analysis of costs and liabilities8.8Record of lessons learned8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable materials, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so it fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original conventions and applied exercises. The working software is NAPA Emergency Response, OILMAP, NOAA GNOME and MAXSURF Stability, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: refloating calculations for a grounded ship, drift simulation of an oil spill and a tabletop pollution response exercise. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final project.
Standards covered: International Convention on Salvage 1989, OPRC Convention 1990, MARPOL Annex I Chapter 8 (STS operations), CLC Convention 1992, Fund Convention 1992 (IOPC Funds), Bunkers Convention 2001, Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks 2007, Spanish Royal Decree 1695/2012 (National Response System).
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
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 software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
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 totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with NAPA Emergency Response, OILMAP, NOAA GNOME and MAXSURF Stability, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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