Nautical Maintenance Training
Get the hands-on technical skills that keep vessels seaworthy, compliant, and running at full capacity. This Nautical Maintenance Training course covers everything from hull inspection and propulsion servicing to electrical systems and safety equipment. Whether you're entering the marine trades or advancing your career aboard, this program gives you the practical knowledge employers demand.
What you will learn:
You will gain a thorough understanding of vessel systems, including hull structure, diesel propulsion, marine electrical circuits, deck machinery, and fluid systems. You will learn how to inspect and service safety equipment, manage maintenance documentation, and apply environmental compliance standards. The course also covers planned maintenance system design, regulatory survey preparation, and condition monitoring techniques. Supplementary modules introduce hydraulic systems, refrigeration, welding, and emerging technologies such as drone inspection and IoT sensors. By the end, you will be equipped to perform, document, and manage maintenance operations across a wide range of vessel types.
How you study in practice Nautical Maintenance Training
How you practice Nautical Maintenance Training
For companies looking to train their teams
With Dedika for businesses, the course includes exercises and examples tailored to your own business and the way your company needs.
Course Content
8 Chapters • 37 LessonsDuration between 4 and 360 hours (you decide)
Chapter 1HideHide detailsSee detailsFoundations of Nautical Maintenance
Foundations of Nautical Maintenance
Lesson 1 • Maintenance Documentation Fundamentals
Explains logbooks, work orders, and maintenance records required aboard vessels. Accurate documentation supports audits, warranty claims, and crew handovers.
Lesson 2 • Maintenance Safety Culture
Covers personal protective equipment, lockout/tagout procedures, and confined-space protocols. Connects safe work habits to regulatory compliance and crew protection.
Lesson 3 • Tools and Workshop Practices
Identifies hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments used in marine environments. Proper storage and calibration practices prevent damage and ensure accuracy.
Lesson 4 • Vessel Anatomy and Systems Overview
Introduces hull, deck, propulsion, and auxiliary systems as an integrated whole. Establishes the vocabulary needed for all subsequent maintenance tasks.
Chapter 2HideHide detailsSee detailsHull Inspection and Structural Maintenance
Hull Inspection and Structural Maintenance
Lesson 1 • Structural Repair Techniques
Covers welding, fiberglass lamination, and plate replacement for common hull damage. Repair methods are matched to hull material and damage severity.
Lesson 2 • Hull Inspection Methods
Covers visual, ultrasonic, and hammer-test techniques for detecting hull defects. Systematic inspection routines reduce the risk of missed damage.
Lesson 3 • Drydock and Slipway Operations
Explains blocking, shoring, and vessel positioning during out-of-water maintenance. Safe drydock procedures protect both the vessel and the maintenance crew.
Lesson 4 • Corrosion Identification and Control
Explains galvanic, crevice, and pitting corrosion mechanisms specific to marine environments. Early identification and cathodic protection limit structural degradation.
Lesson 5 • Surface Preparation and Coating Application
Details abrasive blasting, grinding, and chemical cleaning before paint application. Correct surface preparation is the primary factor in coating longevity.
Chapter 3HideHide detailsSee detailsMarine Propulsion System Maintenance
Marine Propulsion System Maintenance
Lesson 1 • Scheduled Engine Servicing
Covers oil changes, filter replacement, belt and hose inspection, and valve clearance checks. Adherence to manufacturer intervals prevents premature engine failure.
Lesson 2 • Diesel Engine Fundamentals
Reviews four-stroke diesel operation, fuel injection, and cooling circuits as a maintenance baseline. Understanding engine cycles guides correct service intervals.
Lesson 3 • Propeller Inspection and Repair
Explains propeller pitch measurement, blade damage assessment, and underwater repair options. Propeller condition directly affects fuel efficiency and vessel speed.
Lesson 4 • Propeller Shaft and Stern Gear
Addresses shaft alignment, cutlass bearing replacement, and stern tube seal maintenance. Misalignment causes vibration, bearing wear, and hull leakage.
Lesson 5 • Propulsion Fault Diagnosis
Applies systematic fault-finding to overheating, excessive vibration, and power loss symptoms. Structured diagnosis reduces downtime and prevents secondary damage.
Chapter 4HideHide detailsSee detailsElectrical and Electronic Systems Maintenance
Electrical and Electronic Systems Maintenance
Lesson 1 • Battery Systems and Charging
Explains lead-acid, AGM, and lithium battery maintenance, testing, and charging management. Healthy battery banks ensure reliable engine starting and hotel loads.
Lesson 2 • Marine Electrical Safety Principles
Covers DC and AC circuit fundamentals, insulation resistance testing, and shock hazard prevention. Marine environments amplify electrical risks due to moisture and salt.
Lesson 3 • Navigation Electronics Upkeep
Covers GPS, radar, VHF radio, and chartplotter maintenance and antenna inspection. Reliable electronics are critical for safe navigation and distress communication.
Lesson 4 • Electrical Fault Finding
Applies multimeter and clamp-meter techniques to locate open circuits, shorts, and voltage drops. Systematic testing minimizes diagnostic time and component damage.
Lesson 5 • Wiring, Panels, and Circuit Protection
Addresses wire sizing, terminal crimping, panel inspection, and fuse or breaker maintenance. Correct wiring practices prevent overloads and onboard fires.
Chapter 5HideHide detailsSee detailsDeck Machinery and Rigging Maintenance
Deck Machinery and Rigging Maintenance
Lesson 1 • Crane and Davit Inspection
Explains wire rope inspection, sheave wear assessment, and hydraulic cylinder checks on cranes and davits. Load-bearing equipment requires documented periodic inspection.
Lesson 2 • Winch and Windlass Servicing
Covers disassembly, gear inspection, pawl replacement, and lubrication of deck winches and windlasses. Regular servicing prevents catastrophic failure under mooring loads.
Lesson 3 • Mooring and Anchoring Equipment
Covers chain locker inspection, anchor windlass maintenance, and mooring line condition assessment. Reliable anchoring and mooring equipment is essential for vessel security.
Lesson 4 • Standing and Running Rigging
Addresses swage fitting inspection, turnbuckle adjustment, and running rigging wear on sailing vessels. Rigging failure at sea poses immediate life-safety risk.
Chapter 6HideHide detailsSee detailsPlumbing, Bilge, and Fluid Systems
Plumbing, Bilge, and Fluid Systems
Lesson 1 • Cooling Water System Servicing
Explains raw-water impeller replacement, heat exchanger cleaning, and thermostat testing. Cooling system failures are the leading cause of engine overheating at sea.
Lesson 2 • Bilge Pump Systems
Covers manual and electric bilge pump testing, float switch inspection, and strum box cleaning. Functional bilge systems are the last line of defense against flooding.
Lesson 3 • Fuel System Maintenance
Covers fuel tank inspection, water contamination testing, fuel polishing, and line integrity checks. Clean fuel is essential for reliable engine operation and fire prevention.
Lesson 4 • Seacock and Through-Hull Maintenance
Explains seacock types, greasing schedules, and replacement procedures for through-hull fittings. Seized or leaking seacocks are a primary cause of vessel sinking.
Lesson 5 • Freshwater and Sanitation Systems
Addresses water tank cleaning, pressure pump servicing, and marine sanitation device maintenance. Contaminated water systems create health hazards for crew and passengers.
Chapter 7HideHide detailsSee detailsSafety Equipment Inspection and Servicing
Safety Equipment Inspection and Servicing
Lesson 1 • Life Raft and Immersion Suit Maintenance
Covers hydrostatic release inspection, life raft container checks, and immersion suit integrity testing. Defective survival equipment fails at the moment of greatest need.
Lesson 2 • Lifejacket and Harness Inspection
Explains bladder inflation testing, automatic inflator cartridge replacement, and harness webbing inspection. Lifejackets must be individually fitted and regularly serviced.
Lesson 3 • Firefighting Equipment Servicing
Addresses portable extinguisher inspection, fixed system checks, and fire detection system testing. Properly maintained firefighting equipment limits fire spread and crew injury.
Lesson 4 • Pyrotechnics and Distress Signals
Covers flare expiry management, EPIRB battery and registration checks, and SART testing. Expired or unregistered distress equipment delays search-and-rescue response.
Chapter 8HideHide detailsSee detailsPlanned Maintenance Systems and Strategy
Planned Maintenance Systems and Strategy
Lesson 1 • Maintenance Budgeting and Procurement
Addresses lifecycle cost estimation, spare parts inventory management, and vendor evaluation. Effective procurement reduces costs without compromising maintenance quality.
Lesson 2 • Maintenance Auditing and Continuous Improvement
Covers internal audit techniques, root cause analysis of recurring failures, and PMS update cycles. Systematic review transforms maintenance data into operational improvements.
Lesson 3 • Condition Monitoring and Predictive Maintenance
Introduces vibration analysis, oil sampling, and thermal imaging as predictive maintenance tools. Condition monitoring shifts maintenance from time-based to need-based intervention.
Lesson 4 • Regulatory Compliance and Surveys
Covers class survey requirements, flag-state inspection preparation, and port-state control readiness. Compliance gaps result in vessel detention and operational delays.
Lesson 5 • Planned Maintenance System Design
Explains component criticality ranking, task frequency setting, and job card creation for a vessel PMS. A well-designed PMS reduces unplanned downtime and extends equipment life.
Your valid completion certificate
This course is for you:
Deckhand or rating: ready to move into a dedicated maintenance role aboard.
Marine yard technician: seeking structured knowledge to back up hands-on experience.
Recreational boat owner: determined to handle serious upkeep without outsourcing everything.
Career changer from land-based trades: applying existing mechanical skills to the marine sector.
Junior engineer officer: building the maintenance management depth that promotions require.
Fleet maintenance coordinator: needing a technical refresh across all vessel system categories.
What our students say
Your classes are perfect. I purchased the one-year package and finally have the opportunity to follow various topics of interest without needing to switch platforms... I thank you for everything you do, I've already recommended you to other people...
I like how the lessons are straight to the point and how I can switch chapters and skip content I don't need.
I like the content and the presentation style and video transcription, which speeds up the process!
The platform is fast, simple to use. The diversity of content and complementary videos really help with learning.
Top trainings
FAQ
Who is Dedika?
Is the certificate valid in United States?
Are the courses free?
What is the course workload?
What are the courses like?
How do the courses work?
What is the duration of the courses?
What is the cost or price of the courses?
What is an EAD or online course and how does it work?
PDF Course