H887 – AZIPOD® SPACE SAFETY & AZIPOD® VI TECHNICAL BLENDED LEARNING

Ensure confidence in your crew’s capabilities for the safe operation and management of Azipod® VI propulsion units with a blend of in-person and remote learning

COURSE OVERVIEW

Unlock higher safety standards, stronger operational confidence, and deeper technical capability with the ABB Marine Academy H887 – Azipod® Space Safety & Azipod® VI Technical Blended Learning course. Designed for marine engineers and electro‑technical professionals, this program gives your crew the skills they need to work safely, efficiently, and expertly inside Azipod® VI propulsion units.

Through a combination of flexible remote learning and immersive hands‑on training in Helsinki, participants learn how to recognize and manage confined‑space risks, comply with OSHA‑aligned safety requirements, and respond decisively in emergency situations. Practical sessions including simulator‑based rescue scenarios ensure that safety protocols become second nature, helping your teams reduce incidents and maintain a safer working environment.

The course strengthens technical competence by building a clear understanding of Azipod® VI subsystems, including steering gear operation, slip‑ring assemblies, and power/data transmission. Participants gain the troubleshooting skills needed to keep propulsion systems performing reliably and to resolve issues faster, supporting vessel uptime, efficiency, and long‑term asset protection.

By completing this blended learning program, your crew returns equipped with the confidence, technical insight, and safety discipline required to protect themselves, safeguard the vessel, and deliver higher operational 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® 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.
  • Perform adjustments on critical system components eg. hydraulic steering gear pump and EMRI servo unit ASU36X

  • 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®
  • EMRI Servo ASU 36X 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>With a blend of remote instruction and practical on‑site exercises, participants receive comprehensive training to manage, maintain, and optimize Azipod® VI propulsion units. The daily schedule 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>Hydraulic power unit, steering motors</li> <li>EMRI Servo unit &amp; sine-cosine –theory</li> <li>Hydraulic steering hands-on exercises</li> <li>Steering 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® VI Technical Blended Learning course can benefit your fleet with our frequently asked questions.</p>

The H887 program is our  blended learning course that combines remote theory with hands‑on training to develop safe entry practices, technical understanding, and troubleshooting skills for Azipod® VI propulsion systems. It teaches crews to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot system components while working safely inside Azipod unit spaces.

H887 mixes webinar‑based theory and self‑study with in‑person practical exercises in Helsinki, including space‑simulator exercises and factory visits to ABB’s machine and Azipod® assembly facilities. Remote modules cover fundamentals and regulations; on‑site sessions translate that knowledge into practical maintenance, troubleshooting, and rescue execution.

Azipod® units are confined spaces with specific hazards; H887 ensures crews identify risks, follow confined‑space and OSHA basics, and apply correct entry procedures so they can work and respond safely during normal operations and emergencies.

The course addresses hazard recognition and consequences in the Azipod® space, teaching how to control risks during entry, conduct rescues, and use the required protective equipment—knowledge that’s essential for safe operations in restricted environments.

H887’s theory modules include slip‑ring unit technology and maintenance, power and data transmission systems, electric steering gear, and Azipod® propulsion terminology and specifications, building a complete picture of how sub-systems interact.

The hands‑on part covers rescue operations, evacuation of an injured person in a space simulator, use of PPE and fall protection, rescue action planning, and electrical safety for Azipod® entry, so crews can act decisively in real incidents.

Remote theory teaches confined‑space regulation and OSHA basics; on‑site training applies them with entry procedures, risk control, and simulator drills, enabling participants to recognize hazards and manage them step‑by‑step during actual entries.

EXPLORE RELATED COURSES

Level up your crew. Discover more training and courses from our Marine Training Academy. Learn from our product experts how our portfolio enables fleets to run more efficiently at reduced cost and environmental impact.