Diploma in Insulation, Damping and Habitability Compliance
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in insulation, damping and habitability compliance on ships. 8 modules covering habitability under MLC 2006, onboard noise (IMO Noise Code, ISO 2923), ship vibration (ISO 20283, ISO 6954), acoustic insulation, damping and vibration control, class compliance and design and construction, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Insulation, Damping and Habitability Compliance — studying from New Zealand
Maritime engineering is significant for New Zealand, given its extensive coastline, large exclusive economic zone and a strong sailing and boatbuilding tradition. Auckland, often called the City of Sails, hosts boatbuilders, marine service providers and offshore engineering firms, while Maritime New Zealand regulates safety at sea. Opportunities include naval architecture, offshore energy and aquaculture, and the New Zealand Defence Force's naval fleet supports further demand.
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$2,160 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in New Zealand
Typical roles
Questions from New Zealand
Which New Zealand bodies regulate marine and offshore engineering?
Maritime New Zealand regulates maritime safety and the operation of vessels, and Engineering New Zealand is the professional body for engineers. Marine surveying and certain roles require recognised certificates issued by official bodies. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by any national body, so they do not replace these requirements.
Do marine and offshore employers in New Zealand value private qualifications?
New Zealand has active marine, boatbuilding, port and offshore sectors, particularly in Auckland and the Bay of Plenty. Employers usually prioritise recognised certificates, licences and practical experience. A SEIUM qualification may support an application, but whether it is valued is for each employer to decide.
Can I study this part-time from New Zealand?
Yes. The programme is 100% online and taught in English, so no student visa is needed to study from New Zealand. You are assigned a technical tutor and must complete a final project. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Programme lengths range from 300 to 1,900 hours.
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 habitability requirements of MLC 2006.
Measure and assess noise under the IMO Code.
Analyse ship vibration using ISO standards.
Design fire-resistant acoustic insulation solutions.
Select damping systems and resilient mounts.
Prepare compliance for classification.
Build habitability into the ship design from the outset.
Who it's for
- Marine noise and vibration engineers.
- Habitability technicians.
- Classification society surveyors.
- Accommodation engineers at shipyards.
- Maritime acoustic consultants.
- Technical superintendents at passenger shipping companies.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to join shipyards.
What you'll work with
- MLC 2006 (Maritime Labour Convention)
- Resolution MSC.337(91) (IMO Code on Noise Levels on Board Ships)
- ISO 2923 (measurement of noise on board vessels)
- ISO 20283-5 (measurement of ship vibration)
- ISO 6954 (guidelines for habitability vibration)
- FTP Code 2010 (fire test procedures)
- ISO 717-1 (rating of airborne sound insulation)
- VA One
- Ansys Mechanical
- Brüel & Kjær BK Connect
- Rhinoceros
8 modules
1.1The concept of habitability on ships1.2The Maritime Labour Convention MLC 20061.3Crew accommodation requirements1.4Noise, vibration and crew health1.5Passenger comfort on ferries and cruise ships1.6Classification society comfort notations1.7Fatigue and quality of rest1.8The link between design and habitability1.9Inspection experience1.10Case study: habitability audit of a vessel
2.1The IMO Code on Noise Levels2.2Noise sources: engines, propellers and HVAC2.3Airborne and structure-borne transmission2.4Measurements to ISO 29232.5Limits by space2.6Sound insulation indices between cabins2.7Low-frequency noise2.8Noise prediction with SEA2.9Noise on electric vessels2.10Practical exercise: noise measurement in a cabin
3.1Excitation sources: propeller and engines3.2Structural response of the hull3.3ISO 20283 measurement standard3.4ISO 6954 on comfort3.5Local resonances in decks3.6Modal analysis of structures3.7Measurement with accelerometers3.8Classification criteria3.9Effects on people and equipment3.10Laboratory: modal analysis of a panel
4.1Insulating panels and bulkheads4.2Floating floors in accommodation4.3Suspended acoustic ceilings4.4Fire-resistant absorbent materials4.5Resilient mounting of cabins4.6Acoustic doors and windows4.7Treatment of ventilation ducts4.8Fire requirements of the FTP Code4.9Weight and space of insulation4.10Case study: acoustic upgrade of a cabin
5.1Resilient engine mounts5.2Double resilient mounting5.3Viscoelastic dampers in structures5.4Constrained layer damping5.5Tuned dynamic absorbers5.6Active vibration control5.7Seating (foundation) design5.8Shaft alignment5.9Mount maintenance5.10Practical exercise: selecting mounts for a generator set
6.1DNV rules for comfort6.2COMF-V and COMF-C notations6.3Bureau Veritas requirements6.4Flag state inspections6.5Class surveys6.6Sea trials6.7Measurement reports6.8Non-conformity management6.9Compliance documentation6.10Workshop: measurement plan for sea trials
7.1Shipbuilding contract requirements7.2Early design for habitability7.3General arrangement and zoning7.4Coordination with the shipyard7.5Insulation suppliers7.6Quality control during installation7.7Common errors on site7.8Refits and conversions7.9Habitability costs7.10Case study: acoustic zoning of a ferry
8.1Vessel selection8.2Applicable regulatory requirements8.3Source analysis8.4Level prediction8.5Insulation measures8.6Damping measures8.7Verification plan8.8Conclusions and recommendations8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with your tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are 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 standard and applied exercises. The working software is VA One, Ansys Mechanical, Brüel & Kjær BK Connect and Rhinoceros, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for noise and vibration measurements during sea trials, acoustic prediction for cabins and selection of resilient machinery mounts. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: MLC 2006, Resolution MSC.337(91), ISO 2923, ISO 20283-5, ISO 6954, FTP Code 2010, ISO 717-1.
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 VA One, Ansys Mechanical, Brüel & Kjær BK Connect and Rhinoceros, 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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