When a vessel runs aground, collides, or sinks, every hour of delay multiplies the operational, financial and environmental risk — and the difference between a controlled recovery and a costly disaster usually comes down to leadership. The Marine Salvage and Wreck Removal Leadership: Managing Complex Recovery Operations Training Course by Arab British Fellowship Training Academy prepares maritime professionals to plan, coordinate and lead Marine Salvage projects with confidence.

Across the programme, participants work through salvage law, risk assessment, marine casualty management, emergency response, wreck removal, environmental protection and marine recovery strategy — moving from grounded vessels and sunken ships to hazardous cargo incidents and offshore structures. The course also builds practical skills in stakeholder communication, contracts, resourcing and post-salvage reporting, so participants finish able to lead recovery operations that protect people, the marine environment and the bottom line.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Lead the planning and management of complex Marine Salvage operations.
• Apply international salvage law and maritime legal responsibilities with confidence.
• Assess salvage risk and build sound operational and emergency response plans.
• Plan, supervise and execute wreck removal and marine recovery projects.
• Coordinate salvage teams, contractors and government authorities under pressure.
• Protect the marine environment throughout salvage and recovery work.
• Manage salvage contracts, insurance and liability exposure.
• Make sound decisions during high-risk maritime emergencies.

Target Audience

• Marine salvage managers, harbour masters and marine superintendents.
• Port authority personnel and coast guard officers.
• Marine surveyors, engineers and naval architects.
• Shipowners, ship managers and offshore operations managers.
• Maritime safety officers and emergency response coordinators.
• Marine insurance professionals and wreck removal project managers.
• Maritime consultants.

Module 1: Understanding the Scale of a Marine Salvage Incident

• What differentiates salvage operations from routine maritime work.
• Types of incidents: grounding, collision, sinking, hazardous cargo.
• The salvage project lifecycle from first response to close-out.
• Roles and responsibilities across a salvage operation.

Module 2: Salvage Law and International Regulation

• International salvage law and conventions.
• Legal rights, obligations and liability.
• Compensation frameworks and regulatory compliance.

Module 3: Emergency Response and Risk-Based Decision-Making

• Emergency response planning and incident command systems.
• Casualty coordination and crisis communication.
• Hazard analysis and operational risk management.
• Safety of personnel during high-risk operations.

Module 4: Planning and Executing Wreck Removal

• Wreck removal methodologies and site assessment.
• Heavy lifting strategies and hazard identification.
• Vessel refloating and cargo recovery operations.

Module 5: Marine Recovery Techniques and Equipment

• Underwater recovery techniques and diving support.
• Salvage vessels, floating cranes and remote operated vehicles (ROVs).
• Selecting equipment and digital monitoring technologies for recovery work.

Module 6: Environmental Protection During Salvage Operations

• Environmental impact assessment.
• Oil spill mitigation and hazardous material handling.
• Marine ecosystem protection and sustainable salvage practices.

Module 7: Project, Contract and Stakeholder Management

• Salvage project planning, budgeting and resource allocation.
• Managing contracts, insurance and liability considerations.
• Coordinating stakeholders, contractors and authorities.

Module 8: Lessons From Major Salvage Operations

• Case studies from major international salvage operations.
• Wreck removal lessons learned.
• Best management practices and final project evaluation.