Ship Handling Course – Advanced Maritime Simulator Training

Ship handling – master manoeuvring of vessels in complex conditions

Gain advanced ship handling skills and strengthen your ability to manoeuvre vessels safely and efficiently in challenging operational environments.

This course combines theory and full-mission simulator training to give you hands-on experience with vessel manoeuvring under varying met-ocean conditions. You train both standard harbour manoeuvres and emergency scenarios, building confidence in handling vessel limitations and complex situations.

Outcome

Who is the course relevant for

The course is designed for experienced maritime professionals working with vessel manoeuvring and navigation, including:

Ship masters
Deck officers
Marine pilots

What you will gain from the course

The course strengthens your ability to manoeuvre vessels safely and efficiently in ports and confined waters.

You gain a deeper understanding of how physical forces and environmental conditions affect vessel behaviour and performance.

After the course, you will be able to:

Plan and execute effective manoeuvring strategies in complex conditions
Handle vessels under the influence of wind, waves and current
Assess operational limits and vessel capabilities in real situations
Perform manoeuvres using different types of propulsion systems, rudders and thrusters
Apply Constant Rate of Turn techniques in practice
Manage anchoring and harbour manoeuvres safely
Understand hydrodynamic effects such as bank effect, squat and ship interaction
Operate effectively with tug assistance

What your organisation gains

The course improves your organisation’s ability to operate safely and efficiently in demanding maritime environments.

You reduce the risk of incidents through improved manoeuvring skills and better understanding of vessel limitations.
Crews handle complex and emergency situations more effectively, leading to safer port operations and fewer disruptions.
At the same time, you strengthen operational efficiency through improved coordination, planning and execution of harbour manoeuvres.

“I recently attended the 19K Ship handling course at Force Technology and found it to be a very useful and well-conducted training program. The simulator exercises were realistic and gave a good understanding of handling a large container vessel with twin engines in different situations and conditions. The practical sessions helped improve both my ship handling knowledge and confidence, especially during maneuvering and decision-making exercises. The instructor shared valuable practical experience throughout the course, which made the training even more relevant and engaging. Overall, it was a worthwhile experience, and I would recommend this training facility to Masters and senior officers looking to strengthen their ship handling skills in a professional simulator environment.”

Participant, May 2026

Content and process

Course content and format

The course combines theoretical instruction, simulator-based exercises and structured debriefings with a strong focus on real-life operations.

Key topics include:

Vessel manoeuvrability and operational limits
The effect of Met-ocean conditions: wind, waves and current
Propulsion, rudders and thrusters
Hydrodynamics and vessel interaction effects
Tug operations and harbour manoeuvring
Emergency scenarios such as loss of propulsion

Simulator exercises are designed to reflect realistic operating conditions and can be tailored based on participant experience and operational needs. Environmental factors are gradually increased to explore vessel limits and optimise manoeuvring strategies.

Debriefings using advanced replay tools ensure that learning is translated into practical improvements.

Prerequisites and level

This is an advanced-level course.

You are expected to have practical experience with vessel manoeuvring and a solid understanding of navigation and ship operations.

“I was on 19K course. This was done in Simulator and with theory. The Simulator is very realistic and gives a good insight in how an EEE is going to react in various situations and it's maneuverability. The lecturer was very professional and gave a lot of constructive feedback on our progress and the mistakes and how to improve.In overall the force technology have been a great experience and given a lot of tools/knowledge which I can use in my daily and professional life.”

Participant, May 2026

Meet your instructor

Jakob Møller

Jakob Møller is an instructor with extensive experience as a ship captain in the Danish ferry industry, having worked across a range of companies and operational roles. With both deep-sea and broad ferry sector experience, he brings a strong operational perspective to his teaching.

He holds a Bachelor of Education and a Diploma in Leadership. Jakob thrives in environments where learning drives development and takes great pride in delivering training to the highest professional standard. Most recently, he served as Head of Training, with responsibility for safety, navigation, and crew development.

Currently a Marine Specialist and Project Manager at FORCE Technology, Jakob combines his maritime expertise with strong competencies in hydrodynamics and simulation-based training. He is particularly passionate about port studies, working closely with clients to enhance efficiency and safety in port operations.

This combination of seagoing experience, leadership, and technical insight enables him to effectively bridge the gap between operational reality and simulation-based solutions.

Frej Anton Alwerud

Frej Anton Alwerud is a Master Mariner with more than 20 years of seagoing experience, most recently serving as Captain on ULCC vessels. His career has provided him with extensive practical knowledge of ship handling, strong nautical expertise, and hands-on experience with human factors in maritime operations.

At FORCE Technology, Frej works with simulator training, port studies, and the testing of new vessel designs, combining operational insight with solid technical understanding. As an instructor, he draws on his maritime background to deliver training that is practical, relevant, and closely aligned with the realities of ship operations.

Exam and certification

Participants receive a Certificate of Proficiency upon successful completion of the course.
FORCE Technology is an established maritime training provider approved by DNV.

Tailor the course to your organisation

This course can be adapted so participants work with your systems, data and real-world challenges from your organisation. Plan a tailored course for your team

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All courses

Reach out to Clara Giarrusso for more information.

Ship Handling

Ship handling – master manoeuvring of vessels in complex conditions

Outcome

Who is the course relevant for

What you will gain from the course

What your organisation gains

Course content and format

Prerequisites and level

Meet your instructor

Jakob Møller

Frej Anton Alwerud

Exam and certification

Certification

Tailor the course to your organisation

Related courses

Outcome

Who is the course relevant for

What you will gain from the course

What your organisation gains

Course content and format

Prerequisites and level

Meet your instructor

Jakob Møller

Frej Anton Alwerud

Exam and certification

Certification

Tailor the course to your organisation

Related courses