Description
The qualification that opens the door to one of maritime’s most authoritative roles — become a certified Class Surveyor and Flag State Inspector, recognised by flag administrations and classification societies worldwide.
About this course
Flag State Inspections (FSI) are the mechanism by which flag administrations verify that vessels meet international safety and environmental standards — and the inspectors who carry them out must command deep technical authority across ship structure, machinery, safety systems, and maritime law. This Advanced Diploma equips you with exactly that: a structured, expert-led programme covering the four core pillars of flag state control and twelve specialist modules aligned to SOLAS, MARPOL, ISM, MLC, and Load Line conventions. Whether you are entering the surveying profession or advancing within it, this qualification delivers the competence and credibility that flag administrations, classification societies, and shipping companies demand.
Why this qualification matters
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⚓ Authoritative role Flag State Inspectors and Class Surveyors hold one of the most respected positions in maritime — your findings have direct legal and operational weight on vessels and companies worldwide. |
📋 Regulatory mastery The programme covers every major convention — SOLAS, MARPOL, ISM Code, Load Line, Tonnage, and MLC — giving you the regulatory depth to perform any statutory survey with confidence. |
🌐 Global recognition The Advanced Diploma is accepted by flag administrations and classification societies across 180+ countries, and qualifies you for IAMP accredited professional membership. |
Learning objectives
| ✓ | Perform ship inspections in compliance with Flag State requirements, verifying structural integrity, machinery, safety systems, and documentation |
| ✓ | Conduct Classification and Statutory Surveys across all major survey categories including initial, periodical, annual, and renewal surveys |
| ✓ | Apply the International Safety Management (ISM) Code to verify safety management systems on board and ashore |
| ✓ | Investigate ship casualties and incidents in accordance with IMO Casualty Investigation Code and flag state procedures |
| ✓ | Assess hull structure, subdivision and stability, load line, tonnage, and structural fire protection against class rules and SOLAS requirements |
| ✓ | Verify MARPOL compliance including oil pollution prevention, noxious liquid substances, and carriage of dangerous chemicals and liquefied gases in bulk |
| ✓ | Document inspection findings, issue statutory certificates, and prepare professional survey reports meeting flag administration standards |
Who is this course for?
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🏢 Flag administrations & classification societies Organisations that authorise or employ surveyors and inspectors — this diploma ensures your team meet the technical standards required to carry out statutory surveys and flag state control functions to the highest international standard. |
👤 Maritime officers & surveyors Deck and engineering officers, marine superintendents, and existing surveyors seeking a formal qualification that validates their experience and opens the door to class surveyor and flag state inspector roles. |
🎯 Shipping & port professionals Port state control officers, marine insurance surveyors, technical managers, and P&I Club correspondents who need a deep, structured understanding of how statutory surveys and flag state inspections work. |
Key skills you will gain
Course content
This Advanced Diploma comprises 4 core units and 12 specialisation units — each 52 nominal hours — delivered fully online with expert support.
Core units
| Code | Course title | Hours |
| FSI001 | Introduction to Flag State Control | 52 |
| FSI002 | Classification and Statutory Surveys | 52 |
| SMS002 | International Safety Management (ISM) Code | 52 |
| RM001 | Ship Casualty and Incident Investigations | 52 |
Specialisation units
| Code | Module title | Hours |
| CLS2A | Module 2A — Hull Structure | 52 |
| CLS2B | Module 2B — Machinery Systems | 52 |
| CLS2C | Module 2C — Subdivision and Stability | 52 |
| CLS2D | Module 2D — Load Line | 52 |
| CLS2E | Module 2E — Tonnage | 52 |
| CLS2F | Module 2F — Structural Fire Protection | 52 |
| CLS2G | Module 2G — Safety Equipment | 52 |
| CLS2H | Module 2H — Oil Pollution Prevention | 52 |
| CLS2I | Module 2I — Noxious Liquid Substances Pollution Prevention | 52 |
| CLS2J | Module 2J — Radio Equipment | 52 |
| CLS2K | Module 2K — Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk | 52 |
| CLS2L | Module 2L — Carriage of Liquefied Gases in Bulk | 52 |
Programme details
| Qualification awardedAdvanced Diploma — Class Surveyor & Flag State Inspector | Total hours832 hours (16 modules × 52 hrs) | Duration9 months (extensions available) | Delivery100% online — study at your own pace |
| 🌐 | Internationally recognised — IAMP AccreditedOn successful completion you receive an Advanced Diploma accepted by flag administrations and classification societies worldwide, plus eligibility for IAMP Accredited Professional Membership. Trusted by learners in 180+ countries through Maritime Academy Training. |
