H886 – AZIPOD® SPACE SAFETY & AZIPOD® XO TECHNICAL BLENDED LEARNING

Improve your crew’s capabilities in the safe operation and management of Azipod® XO propulsion units with a blend of in-person and remote learning

COURSE OVERVIEW

Strengthen crew safety, confidence, and technical readiness. Designed for marine engineers and electro‑technical personnel, this blended program equips participants with the essential skills to work safely and effectively inside compact Azipod® XO propulsion units while also mastering the technical systems that keep vessels operating at peak performance.

Through a combination of flexible remote learning (webinars and self‑study) and hands‑on training in Helsinki, participants build a deep understanding of Azipod® XO subsystems—including slip‑ring technology, power and data transmission, electric steering gear, and ACS8X0 steering gear drives.

A major part of the course focuses on confined‑space awareness and emergency preparedness, helping participants recognize hazards, follow OSHA‑aligned safety practices, use the correct protective equipment, and perform real‑world rescue procedures inside an Azipod® space simulator. This ensures crew not only understand the propulsion system technically but also know how to protect themselves and others in high‑risk environments.

By the end of the program, participants return to their vessels with strengthened operational competence, improved safety behaviour, and the practical expertise required to maintain uptime, reduce risk, and support safer, more efficient vessel performance.

  • Theory (Remote): 2 days Teams meetings + 2 days self-studies
    Hands-on (Helsinki): 5 days
  • Venue: Helsinki, Finland
  • Prerequisites: Marine Power Plant Basic for Technical Staff from ABB. Marine Academy are advisable.
    Satisfactory health condition to be able to work inside a confined space.
  • Additional information: Minimum 6, maximum 8 participants.
  • Student profile: Deck, engine, and electro-technical personnel responsible for Azipod® entry operations and personnel who conduct 
Azipod® space maintenance.

Participants will be able to describe the functions of the different sub-systems of the Azipod® XO propulsion system and how they interact.

Upon completion of this part of the course, the participants will be able to:

  • Identify the different hazards risks and the possible consequences when working inside the Azipod® unit space.

They will understand the importance of correct maintenance, be able to describe the monitoring possibilities, and know how to troubleshoot systems and perform adjustments on specific system components.

Upon completion of this part of the course, the participants will be able to:

 

  • Enter and work safely inside the Azipod® unit space.
  • Understand the duties of confined space personnel (Entrant, Attendant, Supervisor, and Rescuer).
  • Attend an Entrant during normal entry.
  • Assist during an emergency.

  • Confined space regulation
  • Basics of OSHA
  • Safety aspects inside the Azipod® unit
  • Terminology and evolution of Azipod® propulsion
  • Azipod® Propulsor Technical Specification
  • Slip-ring unit technology and maintenance
  • Power and data transmission system
  • Hydraulic steering gear

  • Occupational risks with Azipod® propulsion
  • Duties of involved personnel
  • Typical Azipod® unit entries and entry procedures
  • Traumatology (First Aid in a confined space)
  • Rescue operations
  • Use of protective equipment required for safe entry (different PPE, fall protection etc.)
  • Entry to the Azipod® space-simulator
  • Evacuating an injured person from the Azipod® space -simulator
  • Rescue action plan for the Azipod® space -simulator
  • Electrical Safety concerning Azipod® Entry
  • Safety procedures while working on the Azipod®
  • ACS8X0 steering gear drive programming, adjustment and troubleshooting

  • Theory lessons via Teams and discussions about Azipod® XO systems
  • Self-studies via Claned - learning platform

  • Workshop exercises with demonstration equipment
  • Lectures, group discussions and group work
  • Exercises in simulated space
  • Visits to machine factory and Azipod assembly factory

COURSE OUTLINE

<p>Participants will have a mix of in-person and remote training covering everything they need to efficiently run and maintain Azipod® XO propulsion units — daily agenda may vary. </p>

Day 1

<ul> <li>Course opening</li> <li>GW2: Occupational risk with Azipod®&nbsp;</li> <li>Electrical safety</li> <li>Medium voltage switchboard</li> </ul>

Day 2

<ul> <li>Protective equipment familiarization</li> <li>First safe entry</li> <li>Hands-on: Routine work</li> <li>Hands-on: Emergency evacuation</li> </ul>

Day 3

<ul> <li>GW1: Azipod® Systems functions</li> <li>Main systems</li> <li>Sub systems</li> <li>Manual exercises</li> <li>Assembly hall tour</li> <li>Azipod® XO troubleshooting cases</li> </ul>

Day 4

<ul> <li>ABB University</li> <li>Steering drives</li> <li>ACS8X0</li> <li>Adjustment</li> <li>Troubleshooting</li> </ul>

Day 5

<ul> <li>Exam &amp; exam results</li> <li>Course closing</li> </ul>

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

<p>Learn more about how the Azipod® Space Safety &amp; Azipod® XO Technical Blended Learning course can benefit your fleet with our frequently asked questions.</p>

Azipod® unit spaces qualify as confined, high‑risk environments, meaning crew must know how to identify hazards, follow OSHA‑aligned safety regulations, use PPE, and manage emergency scenarios. The H886 course equips participants with the knowledge and practical skills needed to enter and work in these spaces safely and confidently, reducing risk to crew and vessel.

The blended structure allows participants to learn theory remotely, at their own pace, before applying knowledge in hands‑on exercises in Helsinki. Remote modules build strong foundational understanding, while workshop training and space‑simulator practice ensure participants can confidently apply safety procedures, troubleshooting skills, and operational techniques in real‑world Azipod® environments.

Participants practice realistic rescue exercises inside a full‑scale simulator, including evacuation of injured personnel, confined‑space entry procedures, PPE usage, fall‑protection practice, and rescue drills. This experiential training builds confidence and ensures crews can respond effectively in emergencies.

Factory tours provide direct exposure to Azipod® assembly processes, motors and generators manufacturing, and LV drive production, helping participants see how components integrate and what affects performance. This contextual understanding strengthens troubleshooting abilities and system insight.

H886 is the best choice when operators need both Azipod® XO technical competency and certified space‑safety readiness, especially where crews perform physical entry, hazard management, or emergency rescue operations. H882 focuses primarily on technical systems, whereas H886 adds unique safety and emergency‑training depth.

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