Course in Ocean Racing Dynamics
The Course in Ocean Racing Dynamics explores the forces that influence sailing, such as the wind, the waves and the ocean current, and how these affect sailing yacht performance. The course delves into hull design, sail aerodynamics and hydrodynamics, applying principles of mechanics and physics to optimise speed and manoeuvrability at sea. It focuses on tactical and strategic decision-making during races, with examples and simulations across different weather and sailing scenarios.
Participants will learn to analyse performance data, including the use of nautical instrumentation and simulation software. The course also covers aspects such as boat stability, resistance to forward motion and kinematics of motion. It will provide a solid foundation for understanding marine dynamics and their application in ocean racing practice, preparing students for high-performance competition and passages.
Course in Ocean Racing Dynamics — studying from the United Kingdom
Naval and offshore engineering is a significant sector in the United Kingdom, with shipbuilding and naval programmes on the Clyde, in Portsmouth, Barrow-in-Furness and Rosyth, and offshore energy activity in Aberdeen and the North Sea. Companies such as BAE Systems Maritime, Babcock and offshore service providers employ engineers in design, construction and maintenance. Sports nautical engineering, including yacht design and marine leisure, is concentrated in the Solent and South Coast. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency regulates shipping safety, and the Royal Institution of Naval Architects supports professional standards.
Fees for the United Kingdom: £619 (Pound sterling), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United Kingdom
Typical roles
Questions from the United Kingdom
Which UK bodies relate to naval and marine engineering, and does SEIUM training count towards them?
Key UK bodies include the Royal Institution of Naval Architects, the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Maritime qualifications are often regulated through the Maritime and Coastguard Agency for certificates of competency. SEIUM's private qualifications are not accredited by these bodies, so any recognition would be decided by them separately.
Will UK offshore, naval or marine employers value a private online engineering qualification?
Employers in these sectors often prioritise certified competencies, sea-going experience and regulatory certificates. A private qualification may support your application where it shows relevant technical depth, but it does not replace statutory requirements. Acceptance is for each employer to decide, so consider how the qualification complements your existing certifications.
Can I study this online from the UK alongside offshore rotations, and is language support available?
Online study can be flexible, but rotation patterns make scheduling important, so plan around your time at sea or on site. Programmes are taught entirely in English, and each learner is assigned a technical tutor. No visa is required to study from within the UK. Fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible.
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
Analyse vessel motions in different sea states.
Relate aerodynamic and hydrodynamic forces in offshore sailing.
Estimate dynamic structural loads on hull, keel and rigging.
Evaluate real performance against theoretical polars.
Apply class rules and offshore regulations.
Propose boat management strategies to prevent damage.
Develop a complete dynamic study for an ocean race.
Who it's for
- Ocean performance engineer looking to specialise in Ocean Racing Dynamics.
- Racing naval architect looking to specialise in Ocean Racing Dynamics.
- Navigation data analyst looking to specialise in Ocean Racing Dynamics.
- Boat captain looking to specialise in Ocean Racing Dynamics.
- Offshore navigator looking to specialise in Ocean Racing Dynamics.
- Structural safety consultant looking to specialise in Ocean Racing Dynamics.
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to join ocean racing teams.
What you'll work with
- World Sailing Offshore Special Regulations
- IMOCA class rules
- Class40 class rules
- ORC Rating Systems
- ISO 12217 Small craft. Stability and buoyancy assessment and categorization
- ISO 12215 Small craft. Hull construction and scantlings
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Ship degrees of freedom in waves1.2Wave spectra and sea states1.3Response in waves and RAO operators1.4Roll, pitch and slamming1.5Accelerations and their effect on the crew1.6Cross sea and storm navigation1.7Added speed loss in waves1.8Differences between monohulls and multihulls1.9Incident analysis in ocean races1.10Practice: calculating bow accelerations
2.1Coupled aerodynamic and hydrodynamic forces2.2Righting moment and heel in gusts2.3Water ballast and canting keels2.4Foils and displacement reduction2.5Rudder balance and heading control2.6Autopilot and control algorithms2.7Sustained planing navigation2.8Capsize risk and dynamic stability2.9Category A stability criteria2.10Laboratory: equilibrium model in VPP
3.1Slamming impacts on the hull bottom3.2Loads on keel and appendages in waves3.3Loads on rigging and mast3.4Structural fatigue in long races3.5Load monitoring with strain gauges and fibre optics3.6Failure analysis in the IMOCA fleet3.7Safety margins and class rules3.8Structural inspection during the race3.9Boat management to prevent damage3.10Case study: keel failure in a transoceanic race
4.1Theoretical polars versus real polars4.2Sustainable percentage of polar when sailing solo4.3Sail trim in ocean conditions4.4Crossing weather systems4.5Sailing in trade winds and the Southern Ocean4.6Losses due to sea state4.7Sailor fatigue and performance4.8Navigation data and learning4.9Comparison between ocean classes4.10Workshop: correcting polars with wave data
5.1World Sailing Special Offshore Regulations 5.2 IMOCA Class Rules 5.3 Class40 Class Rules 5.4 Ocean Fifty Class and Ocean Multihulls 5.5 ORC and IRC Rating Systems In Offshore Racing 5.6 Stability Requirements Under ISO 12217 5.7 Race Categories and Equipment 5.8 Pre-Start Checks 5.9 History of the Vendée Globe and The Ocean Race 5.10 Case Study: Analysis of an Ocean Class
6.1Vessel and study route6.2Characterisation of waves along the route6.3Modelling vessel motions6.4Estimation of structural loads6.5Performance prediction in waves6.6Boat management strategy6.7Structural safety plan6.8Conclusions and recommendations6.9Report and presentation6.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake, making it possible to combine with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is ORC VPP, Expedition, OpenFOAM, MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for estimating slamming loads on an ocean monohull, correcting polars with real navigation data, and analysing motion with inertial sensors. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Analyse vessel motions in different sea states.
Relate aerodynamic and hydrodynamic forces in offshore sailing.
Estimate dynamic structural loads on hull, keel and rigging.
Evaluate real performance against theoretical polars.
Apply class rules and offshore regulations.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient Spanish to follow technical standards documentation.
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 300 hours spread over 3 to 5 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
The course works with ORC VPP, Expedition, OpenFOAM, MATLAB. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
SEIUM's own diploma upon passing continuous assessment and the integrative project. It is an in-house qualification, not an official government-issued degree.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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