Maritime Accident Investigation Course
Online 300-hour course in maritime accident investigation. 6 modules covering the Casualty Investigation Code (Resolution MSC.255(84)), Directive 2009/18/EC and BowTieXP. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Maritime Accident Investigation Course — studying from Ireland
Ireland's maritime sector spans shipping services, offshore energy, marine research and sports boating, with ports such as Dublin, Cork and Shannon Foynes supporting trade and logistics. The offshore wind and marine renewables sector is growing, creating demand for engineers in structures, marine systems and subsea technology. Marine research institutions such as the Marine Institute contribute to ocean science and offshore technology. Oversight is provided by the Irish Maritime Administration within the Department of Transport and by classification and safety bodies.
Fees for Ireland: €644 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Ireland
Typical roles
Questions from Ireland
Which bodies in Ireland regulate or recognise marine and offshore engineering professionals?
In Ireland, marine matters fall under the Irish Maritime Development Office and the Irish Maritime Administration, while the Marine Survey Office handles vessel safety. Professional engineering membership is usually sought through Engineers Ireland. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by these bodies, so they do not grant certificates of competency or professional status.
How do employers in Ireland's marine and offshore sectors view private online qualifications?
Employers in Ireland's offshore energy, shipping and nautical industries generally prioritise certified competencies and sea-going or project experience. A private online qualification may complement your background but is judged at each employer's discretion. There is no guarantee it will be accepted for any particular role.
Can I study this online from Ireland and do I need a visa or to relocate?
You can study from home in Ireland, as the programme is fully online and taught in English, so no student visa is needed to study from home. Programme lengths are 300, 800 or 1,900 hours depending on the course. Fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Each student is assigned a technical tutor.
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
Distinguish safety investigation from judicial investigation.
Apply the international and European framework for casualty investigation.
Collect and preserve evidence from digital and physical sources.
Use systemic methods of accident analysis.
Identify contributing human, technical and organisational factors.
Write effective safety reports and recommendations.
Carry out a complete maritime casualty investigation.
Who it's for
- Maritime accident investigator wishing to specialise in Maritime Accident Investigation.
- Maritime safety technician wishing to specialise in Maritime Accident Investigation.
- Marine surveyor wishing to specialise in Maritime Accident Investigation.
- Fleet safety superintendent wishing to specialise in Maritime Accident Investigation.
- Human factors analyst wishing to specialise in Maritime Accident Investigation.
- Marine insurance consultant wishing to specialise in Maritime Accident Investigation.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter maritime administration.
What you'll work with
- Casualty Investigation Code (Resolution MSC.255(84))
- Directive 2009/18/EC
- Royal Decree 800/2011
- SOLAS Convention, regulation I/21
- IMO Resolution A.1075(28)
- MARPOL Convention, articles 8 and 12
- United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, article 94
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Purpose of safety investigation1.2Differences from judicial investigation1.3IMO Casualty Investigation Code1.4Directive 2009/18/EC and its transposition1.5Standing Committee for the Investigation of Maritime Accidents and Incidents1.6Classification of casualties and incidents1.7Notification obligations1.8States with a substantial interest1.9Confidentiality and use of evidence1.10Case study: analysis of a published investigation report
2.1Initial response and preservation2.2VDR data2.3ECDIS, AIS and radar data2.4Physical and photographic evidence2.5Ship documentation2.6Witness interviews2.7Chain of custody2.8Meteorological and oceanographic data2.9Reconstruction of the timeline2.10Workshop: timeline from VDR data
3.1Reason's Swiss cheese model3.2HFACS human factors classification3.3SCAT systematic analysis technique3.4Fault trees3.5AcciMap systemic analysis method3.6STAMP model and CAST analysis3.7Barrier analysis3.8Organisational factors analysis3.9Selecting the method3.10Practice: CAST analysis of a grounding
4.1Fatigue and workload4.2Bridge resource management4.3Communication with the pilot4.4Perception and decision errors4.5Propulsion and steering failures4.6Hull structural failures4.7Engine room fires4.8Stability and loss of vessels4.9Company organisational factors4.10Case study: collision in a channel with a pilot on board
5.1Report structure5.2Writing findings and causes5.3Safety recommendations5.4Communication with interested parties5.5GISIS and EMCIP databases5.6Monitoring recommendations5.7Disseminating lessons across the industry5.8Internal company investigation5.9Just culture and reporting5.10Practice: drafting safety recommendations
6.1Case study casualty6.2Reconstruction of events6.3Evidence analysis6.4Application of the analysis method6.5Identification of contributing factors6.6Safety recommendations6.7Dissemination plan6.8Drafting the final report6.9Dissertation and presentation6.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Fully 100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: 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 BowTieXP, DNV Synergi Life, NVivo, QGIS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Case studies are based on real casualty reconstruction procedures using VDR data, analysis of human factors in collisions and groundings, and drafting of safety recommendations. 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.
Distinguish safety investigation from judicial investigation.
Apply the international and European framework for casualty investigation.
Collect and preserve evidence from digital and physical sources.
Use systemic methods of accident analysis.
Identify contributing human, technical and organisational factors.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification 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 300 hours in total, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
You will work with BowTieXP, DNV Synergi Life, NVivo and QGIS. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is an in-house qualification, not an official Ministry title.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or Postgraduate Diploma in the same area are credited towards the higher programme. Please check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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