Diploma in Post-Damage Stability and Towing
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in post-damage stability and towing. 8 modules covering intact and damage stability, calculation and decision-support tools, residual strength, damage control, emergency towing and salvage, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Post-Damage Stability and Towing — 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 27 900 (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
Calculate the stability of intact ships.
Assess stability after flooding.
Use decision-support tools.
Estimate residual structural strength.
Organise damage control on board.
Plan emergency towing.
Coordinate salvage operations.
Who it's for
- Naval architects.
- Stability engineers.
- Maritime salvage specialists.
- Maritime safety inspectors.
- Deck officers responsible for stability and emergency response.
- Maritime emergency coordinators.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter shipping companies.
What you'll work with
- SOLAS Chapter II-1 (subdivision and stability)
- IS Code 2008 (International Code on Intact Stability)
- Resolution MSC.256(84) (amendments to SOLAS on emergency towing arrangements)
- Resolution MSC.35(63) (guidelines for emergency towing arrangements on tankers)
- International Convention on Salvage 1989 (legal framework for salvage operations)
- MSC.1/Circ.1245 (guidelines for owners' emergency towing procedures)
- Res. A.949(23) (IMO guidelines on places of refuge for ships in need of assistance)
- NAPA
- Maxsurf Stability
- GHS (General HydroStatics)
- Rhinoceros
8 modules
1.1Displacement and hydrostatic curves1.2Centre of gravity and metacentre1.3Metacentric height GM1.4GZ righting lever curve1.5Free surface effect1.6IS Code 2008 criteria1.7Weather criterion1.8Stability booklet1.9Inclining experiment1.10Case study: verification of stability criteria
2.1Lost buoyancy method2.2Added weight method2.3Compartment permeability2.4Progressive flooding between compartments2.5Asymmetric flooding and heel2.6Cross-flooding equalisation2.7Survival criteria2.8SOLAS II-1 probabilistic stability2.9Subdivision index2.10Practical: flooding calculation for a compartment
3.1On-board stability software3.2Calculation with NAPA and Maxsurf3.3Decision-support systems3.4Approved loading computers3.5Shore-based emergency response services3.63D ship models3.7Accuracy of calculations3.8Updating loading data3.9Software validation3.10Lab: damage simulation in Maxsurf
4.1Still-water bending moments4.2Loss of load-bearing material4.3Residual strength of the hull girder4.4Wave loads in damaged condition4.5Residual strength criteria4.6Effect of flooding on stresses4.7Simplified strength calculation4.8Finite element calculation4.9Risk of hull failure4.10Case study: residual strength after a hull breach
5.1Damage control organisation5.2Damage control plans and booklets5.3Plugging hull breaches5.4Shoring of bulkheads5.5Dewatering and portable pumps5.6Counter-flooding and ballasting5.7Stability management during the emergency5.8Damage control drills5.9Lessons from real casualties5.10Practical: response plan for a hull breach
6.1Requirements for emergency towing arrangements6.2SOLAS II-1/3-4 provisions6.3Towing components and lines6.4Calculation of towing forces6.5Towing damaged ships6.6Stability of the towed ship6.7Tug selection6.8Towing route planning6.9Communication and coordination6.10Case study: towing plan for a damaged ship
7.11989 Salvage Convention7.2Lloyd's Open Form contracts7.3Ports and places of refuge7.4Coordination with maritime authorities7.5Intentional beaching as a measure7.6Cargo lightening7.7Refloating operations7.8Environmental risks of salvage7.9Historical salvage cases7.10Workshop: assessment of a place of refuge
8.1Vessel selection8.2Initial loading condition8.3Damage scenario8.4Post-damage stability calculation8.5Residual strength assessment8.6Damage control measures8.7Towing plan8.8Project conclusions8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
The programme is 100% online 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 NAPA, Maxsurf Stability, GHS (General HydroStatics) and Rhinoceros, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied on real procedures: post-damage stability calculations, residual strength assessments and emergency towing plans. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: SOLAS Chapter II-1, IS Code 2008, Resolution MSC.256(84), Resolution MSC.35(63), International Convention on Salvage 1989, MSC.1/Circ.1245, IMO Guidelines on places of refuge Res. A.949(23).
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 NAPA, Maxsurf Stability, GHS (General HydroStatics) 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 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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