Diploma in Pilots, Autopilots and Heading Control
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in pilots, autopilots and heading control. 8 modules covering ship steering dynamics, heading sensors, steering actuators, heading control algorithms, leisure and merchant autopilots, safety and autonomy, applying IEC 62065, MSC.64(67) and MATLAB/Simulink, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Pilots, Autopilots and Heading Control — studying from South Africa
South Africa's coastline and ports make maritime engineering important, with the Port of Durban, the Port of Cape Town and the Port of Ngqura serving major trade flows. The South African Navy and Armscor support naval procurement, and shipbuilding and repair businesses operate along the coast. Offshore energy and marine services create additional demand, and the sports nautical sector serves recreational boating. The South African Maritime Safety Authority regulates shipping and marine safety.
Fees for South Africa: R 16 700 (South African rand), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in South Africa
Typical roles
Questions from South Africa
Will a SEIUM qualification be recognised by the professional bodies in South Africa for this area?
SEIUM qualifications are private, not official state degrees, and are not accredited by any South African body. Marine and offshore work may involve bodies such as the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) and ECSA for engineering registration. Recognition of a private qualification is decided by employers or the relevant body, so confirm this with them directly.
How might this qualification be used by employers in South Africa in naval and offshore industries?
Shipyards, offshore energy firms and marine design consultancies look mainly for certified competence, relevant experience and regulatory knowledge. A private qualification may complement these but will not replace formal certification. Its usefulness depends on each employer's assessment, so ask prospective employers how they would weigh it.
Can I study this programme alongside full-time work from South Africa, and is there a time zone or language issue?
Yes, the programme is 100% online and in English, so you can study from home without a student visa. Master's programmes total 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours. You receive an assigned technical tutor, can pay in instalments, and may seek employer sponsorship. Confirm time-zone and workload expectations with SEIUM 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
Model the steering dynamics of a ship.
Select and calibrate heading sensors.
Size steering actuators.
Design heading and track control algorithms.
Install and tune leisure-boat autopilots.
Apply the requirements for merchant ship systems.
Ensure safety in automatic control.
Who it's for
- Marine control engineers
- Marine electronics technicians
- Navigation systems integrators
- Engineers working on autonomous ships
- Autopilot installers
- Sea trials engineers
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into marine electronics
What you'll work with
- IEC 62065 (track control systems)
- Resolution MSC.64(67) (IMO performance standards for navigation equipment)
- ISO 11674 (heading control systems)
- IEC 60945 (marine navigation equipment — general requirements)
- Resolution MSC.137(76) (standards for ship manoeuvrability)
- SOLAS Chapter V (safety of navigation)
- ISO 16329 (heading control systems for high-speed craft)
- MATLAB/Simulink
- Marine Systems Simulator (MSS)
- Wärtsilä NTPRO
- Python
8 modules
1.1Manoeuvring equations in the horizontal plane1.2First-order Nomoto model1.3Second-order Nomoto model1.4Directional stability of the ship1.5Rudder effect and forces1.6Influence of wind, waves and current1.7IMO manoeuvring tests1.8Zigzag test1.9Turning circle test1.10Case study: identification of Nomoto parameters
2.1Mechanical and fibre-optic gyrocompasses2.2Magnetic and fluxgate compasses2.3GNSS satellite compasses2.4IMU motion sensors2.5Speed log and speed measurement2.6Sensor fusion2.7Errors and calibration2.8Performance requirements2.9Sensor redundancy2.10Lab: calibration of an electronic compass
3.1Hydraulic steering gear3.2Electric linear actuators3.3Hydraulic power units3.4Rudder rate and SOLAS requirements3.5Azimuth thrusters and pods3.6Manoeuvring thrusters3.7Actuator dynamics3.8Failures and redundancy3.9Steering gear maintenance3.10Practical exercise: sizing a rudder actuator
4.1PID heading control4.2Tuning by classical methods4.3Wave filtering4.4Adaptive heading control4.5LQR optimal control4.6Model predictive control4.7Trajectory tracking4.8Track control with wind4.9Comparison of algorithms4.10Lab: PID tuning of an autopilot in simulation
5.1Tiller and wheel autopilots5.2Hydraulic inboard autopilots5.3Apparent and true wind modes5.4Integration with instruments5.5Autopilots on single-handed racing yachts5.6Autopilot power consumption5.7Installation and commissioning5.8Response settings5.9Common faults and diagnosis5.10Case study: installing an autopilot on a sailing yacht
6.1Track control systems6.2Integration with ECDIS6.3IEC 62065 requirements6.4Requirements of Resolution MSC.64(67)6.5Off-heading alarms6.6Manual, heading and track modes6.7Control in restricted waters6.8Dynamic positioning (DP)6.9System sea trials6.10Practical exercise: configuring a track control system
7.1Sensor failures and responses7.2Transition from automatic to manual control7.3Human factors in watchkeeping7.4Autopilot-related accidents7.5Autonomous ships and heading control7.6Automated collision avoidance7.7Cybersecurity of steering systems7.8Equipment certification7.9User training7.10Case study: analysis of an autopilot accident
8.1Selection of the vessel8.2Development of the dynamic model8.3Sensor selection8.4Actuator selection8.5Controller design8.6Behaviour simulation8.7Sea trial plan8.8Design conclusions8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final 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 timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so it can be combined with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB/Simulink, Marine Systems Simulator (MSS), Wärtsilä NTPRO and Python, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: identification of steering models from sea data, tuning of heading controllers, and zigzag and turning circle tests. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final project.
Standards covered: IEC 62065, Resolution MSC.64(67), ISO 11674, IEC 60945, Resolution MSC.137(76), SOLAS Chapter V, ISO 16329.
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.
- An 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 MATLAB/Simulink, Marine Systems Simulator (MSS), Wärtsilä NTPRO and Python, 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 is required.
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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