Incident Investigation
for Shipboard and Shoreside Teams
A disciplined, evidence-led method for investigating shipboard incidents, near misses and non-conformities — from first response and evidence preservation through root-cause analysis to corrective action and reporting that withstands scrutiny.
A disciplined method for turning incidents into prevention
This course gives shipboard and shoreside teams a consistent, prevention-focused method for investigating accidents, incidents, near misses and non-conformities — one that converts an unwanted event into usable safety information rather than a search for someone to blame.
Working through the full investigation sequence, you will protect life and the scene, preserve physical, documentary, digital and testimonial evidence, build a reliable sequence of events from confirmed fact, and identify the immediate, contributing and underlying causes behind what happened.
The course then covers developing corrective and preventive actions that are assigned, tracked and verified for effectiveness, and writing clear, evidence-linked reports — and draws the line between an internal company investigation and a statutory marine safety investigation.
Developed by experienced maritime professionals
Our courses are developed by experienced maritime professionals and are designed to provide practical knowledge and competency-based learning for today's maritime industry. On successful completion, participants receive a certificate issued by the Virtual Maritime Academy, recognized worldwide as evidence of professional development and competency.
A digital certificate is delivered by email on successful completion.
On successful completion, you will be able to:
These are the learning outcomes established in the course syllabus, Revision 1, 2026.
- ✓Respond to shipboard incidents, near misses and non-conformities with a disciplined, prevention-focused investigation method
- ✓Preserve physical, documentary, digital and testimonial evidence before it is lost, altered or contaminated
- ✓Build a reliable, evidence-led sequence of events that separates confirmed fact from assumption
- ✓Identify immediate, contributing and underlying causes without stopping at the first visible error
- ✓Develop corrective and preventive actions that are assigned, tracked and verified for effectiveness
- ✓Produce clear, evidence-linked investigation reports that withstand scrutiny
- ✓Distinguish company and SMS investigation from statutory marine safety investigation, and apply ISM Code reporting and corrective-action requirements with confidence
Six chapters and a final assessment
Each chapter concludes with a short multiple-choice quiz to reinforce key learning objectives. Select a chapter to read what it covers.
—Introduction
01Investigation Purpose, Scope and Mindset
02Initial Response and Preservation of Evidence
03Fact Gathering, Interviews and Event Sequencing
04Cause Analysis: From Immediate Events to System Factors
05Corrective and Preventive Actions
06Investigation Reports, Follow-Up and Lessons Learned
FAFinal Assessment
Download the course syllabus here — Revision 1, 2026.
This course is designed for anyone who may be called on to investigate, or assist in investigating, a shipboard incident, near miss or non-conformity — afloat or ashore.
Globally recognized & industry approved
Our courses are developed by experienced maritime professionals and designed to provide practical, competency-based learning that meets internationally recognized standards for training excellence.
CPD Approved Provider #783378A final assessment with a minimum score of 70%
Each chapter concludes with multiple-choice questions, followed by a final assessment with a required passing score of 70%. The final assessment is online, proctored, and has a duration of 1 hour. A computer or tablet with a webcam and a reliable internet connection is required.
Students must submit official photo identification before starting the course, as mandated by DNV and the CPD Group.
A fee may apply for re-attempting the final assessment.
Grounded in the instruments that govern incident investigation and reporting
Incident investigation does not happen in a regulatory vacuum. This course addresses the instruments that set reporting, investigation and corrective-action requirements for the maritime industry.
Turn the next incident into a lesson, not a repeat
A good investigation is designed, not improvised. That means protecting the scene and the evidence, building a sequence of events from confirmed fact, tracing causes down to the level that actually changes something, and closing the loop with actions that are verified to work.
This course builds that competence — completed entirely online, in approximately 8 hours, at your own pace.
Revision 1, 2026. Digital certificate delivered by email; no hardcopy for this course.