LICQual Award in Maritime Accident Investigation

The LICQual Award in Maritime Accident Investigation is a specialized qualification designed for professionals seeking to master the skills required to effectively investigate maritime accidents. Whether you’re involved in marine safety, risk management, or compliance, this course will provide you with the expertise to conduct thorough investigations and implement safety improvements in the maritime industry.

By focusing on advanced investigation techniques, root cause analysis, and industry regulations, this course ensures that participants are well-prepared to handle real-world maritime incidents.

As maritime incidents can have severe consequences on both human lives and the environment, it’s essential to have qualified professionals who can accurately investigate, analyze, and report accidents.

This course delves into critical topics like accident causation, data collection, and regulatory frameworks that guide investigations. Completing the LICQual Award in Maritime Accident Investigation will allow you to contribute to improving maritime safety standards and preventing future incidents.

The LICQual Award in Maritime Accident Investigation provides an in-depth understanding of the maritime accident investigation process. The course covers all stages of investigation, from initial response to final reporting. You will gain knowledge in areas such as maritime accident causation, hazard identification, data gathering, and root cause analysis.

Through a combination of theoretical learning and practical application, this qualification equips participants to handle complex maritime accidents effectively. Whether you work in shipping, port operations, or marine insurance, this course will enhance your ability to analyze accidents, collect evidence, and provide actionable recommendations to improve safety.

By the end of the course, you will be proficient in the legal, ethical, and regulatory considerations involved in maritime investigations, ensuring that your findings meet international standards.

Course Overview

Qualification Title

LICQual Award in Maritime Accident Investigation

Total Units

Total Credits

GLH

Qualification #

LICQ2200063

Qualification Specification

Download Qualification Specification

Entry Requirements
Study Units
Learning Outcomes
Who Should Enroll?

To enroll in the LICQual Award in Maritime Accident Investigation, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Age Requirement: Applicants must be at least 16 years old.
Educational Requirements: Applicants should have a High School Diploma or equivalent. A background in maritime studies, marine engineering, naval operations, or related fields is advantageous but not mandatory. Individuals with an interest in maritime safety and accident investigation are encouraged to apply.
Experience: A minimum of 1-2 years of experience in the maritime industry is recommended. Relevant experience includes roles such as marine safety officers, ship crew members, port operations staff, or marine engineers. Experience in safety protocols, incident response, or maritime risk management will be beneficial but not essential.
English Language Proficiency: Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English through an accepted language test (e.g., IELTS score of 6.0 or TOEFL score of 80) or via previous education or work experience in an English-speaking environment. Non-native English speakers may be required to provide evidence of their language ability.

Qualification#	Unit Title	Credits	GLH
LICQ2200063-1	Introduction to Maritime Accident Investigation	1	2
LICQ2200063-2	Maritime Accident Causation and Risk Assessment	1	2
LICQ2200063-3	Data Collection and Evidence Gathering in Maritime Accident Investigations	1	2
LICQ2200063-4	Investigative Methodologies and Root Cause Analysis	1	2
LICQ2200063-5	Report Writing and Documentation of Findings	1	2
LICQ2200063-6	Legal, Ethical, and Regulatory Considerations in Maritime Accident Investigations	1	2

By the end of this course, learners will be able to:

1. Introduction to Maritime Accident Investigation

Demonstrate an understanding of the core principles and processes involved in maritime accident investigations.
Identify the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders, including investigators, regulatory bodies, and maritime operators.
Apply knowledge of international maritime conventions and regulations, such as SOLAS and ISM Code, in the context of accident investigations.

2. Maritime Accident Causation and Risk Assessment

Analyze maritime accident causation theories, including human error, mechanical failure, and environmental influences.
Conduct risk assessments specific to maritime operations, identifying hazards and developing strategies to mitigate risks.
Evaluate the role of safety management systems (SMS) in preventing accidents and ensuring safety compliance within maritime industries.

3. Data Collection and Evidence Gathering in Maritime Accident Investigations

Apply best practices for collecting, preserving, and documenting evidence at accident sites to maintain data integrity.
Analyze and interpret critical evidence from various sources, such as voyage data recorders (VDR), ship’s logs, and maintenance records.
Conduct interviews with witnesses, crew members, and stakeholders, gathering relevant information to support the investigation process.

4. Investigative Methodologies and Root Cause Analysis

Utilize investigative methodologies like Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), and Fishbone Diagrams to identify primary and contributing causes of maritime accidents.
Demonstrate the ability to investigate and evaluate the sequence of events leading to maritime incidents and propose corrective actions.
Apply investigative techniques to analyze complex maritime accident scenarios, ensuring a thorough and comprehensive understanding of underlying causes.

5. Report Writing and Documentation of Findings

Write clear, concise, and comprehensive investigation reports that effectively communicate findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
Structure reports in a way that is accessible to different stakeholders, including regulatory bodies, industry professionals, and the public.
Ensure reports are legally compliant and meet industry standards, incorporating technical details and recommendations for preventing similar incidents.

6. Legal, Ethical, and Regulatory Considerations in Maritime Accident Investigations

Understand and apply legal frameworks governing maritime accident investigations, including international conventions and national regulations.
Recognize the ethical responsibilities involved in conducting unbiased and transparent investigations while ensuring confidentiality and fairness.
Navigate the regulatory environment and ensure compliance with maritime safety standards, protecting the interests of all parties involved in the investigation process.

This diploma is ideal for:

Maritime safety officers and safety managers aiming to enhance their skills in investigating and analyzing maritime accidents.
Ship crew members, marine engineers, and port operations personnel who want to understand the full investigative process and improve safety practices.
Risk managers and compliance officers within the maritime industry looking to gain expertise in accident prevention, risk management, and regulatory compliance.
Maritime investigators, regulators, and auditors who are responsible for ensuring adherence to safety standards and conducting thorough investigations.
Maritime insurance professionals who wish to better understand the investigation process to assess risk and manage claims.
Emergency responders and incident management teams involved in responding to maritime accidents and coordinating investigation efforts.
Maritime students and graduates seeking to pursue a career in maritime safety, accident investigation, or maritime law.
Consultants and industry professionals in shipping, logistics, and transport who need to understand investigative methodologies and compliance requirements in the maritime sector.

Assessment and Verification

All units within this qualification are subject to internal assessment by the approved centre and external verification by LICQual. The qualification follows a criterion-referenced assessment approach, ensuring that learners meet all specified learning outcomes.

To achieve a ‘Pass’ in any unit, learners must provide valid, sufficient, and authentic evidence demonstrating their attainment of all learning outcomes and compliance with the prescribed assessment criteria. The Assessor is responsible for evaluating the evidence and determining whether the learner has successfully met the required standards.

Assessors must maintain a clear and comprehensive audit trail, documenting the basis for their assessment decisions to ensure transparency, consistency, and compliance with quality assurance requirements.