Technical Report Writing in the Maritime & Offshore Industry

Introduction

The Technical Report Writing in the Maritime & Offshore Industry Training Course equips participants with the critical skills required to produce concise, accurate, and purpose-driven technical reports tailored for the maritime, offshore, oil and gas, and port sectors. Effective technical writing is not just about clarity—it’s about influencing decisions, promoting safety, and ensuring regulatory compliance in complex marine and offshore environments. This Technical Report Writing Course introduces best practices and proven methodologies for preparing documentation that meets international standards and supports project delivery, safety investigations, compliance reviews, and operational planning. The course places a strong emphasis on adapting language, format, and presentation to the needs of technical and non-technical stakeholders alike. Through practical exercises, real-world case studies, and industry-specific writing scenarios, participants will gain confidence in transforming complex data into impactful written communication.

Key focus areas include:

• Structuring reports for clarity and purpose
• Eliminating jargon and misinterpretation in high-stakes communication
• Aligning reports with project objectives and regulatory standards
• Enhancing the professional image of technical documentation

Objectives

By the end of this Technical Report Writing Training Course, participants will be able to:

• Understand and overcome communication constraints specific to the maritime and offshore sectors
• Structure and present reports that meet professional and operational standards
• Apply industry-specific techniques to streamline and enhance technical content
• Recognize the risks and consequences of unclear or inaccurate reporting
• Translate complex information into precise, reader-focused content
• Improve drafting, reviewing, and finalizing processes to deliver consistent, high-quality documents

Training Methodology

The Technical Report Writing in the Offshore Industry Course uses an interactive, hands-on learning approach led by expert instructors with real-world experience in marine engineering and offshore oil and gas project management. The methodology includes:

• Instructor-led lectures explaining core principles and frameworks
• Skill-building exercises focused on practical writing scenarios
• Group discussions to exchange experience and foster peer learning
• Case study analysis to explore report structuring, stakeholder communication, and documentation strategy
• Assessment through written assignments and group critiques

Each module is designed to develop writing competency step-by-step, ensuring knowledge retention and on-the-job applicability.

Who Should Attend?

This Report Writing in the Maritime Course is designed for a wide range of professionals across technical and non-technical roles in the maritime and offshore sectors, particularly those involved in projects, compliance, engineering, and documentation. It will be highly beneficial for:

• Project Engineers and Planners
• Discipline Engineers (Mechanical, Marine, Electrical, etc.)
• Technical Assistants and Administrative Staff
• Contracts, Procurement, and QA Professionals
• Asset Managers and Cost Estimators
• Non-Technical Professionals Working in Maritime or Offshore Environments
• Marine Operations Personnel
• Port and Infrastructure Project Stakeholders

Whether you are new to technical reporting or seeking to refine your skills in high-risk industries, this course offers practical, tailored development.

Course Outline

Day 1: The Basics of Technical Report Writing

• The Need for and the Purpose of Effective Report Writing

• Types of Writing

• What is Expected of You?

• Edit Then Edit Again

• Common Elements – Content, Clarity, Style and Language

• The Offshore Oil / Gas and Maritime Industry – Its Special Needs

• Preparation, Audience General Format

• Aims, Objectives, Style

• Information Handling Techniques – Storage and Reproduction

• Appearance

• Purpose and Objective

• Contracts

• Format

• Drafting and Planning

• Purpose of Research and Accuracy

• The Human Elements

• First, Second and Third Person

• What is Passive Voice?

• Organizing Information

• Time Management

Day 2: Structure and Style

• Contents, Introduction, Executive Summary, Background, Procedures, Findings, Sub Headings Conclusion, Recommendations, Reference, Bibliography, Appendixes

• Layout and Logic

• Font

• Type

• Line Spacing

• Abstracts

• Narrative

• Margins

• Numbers

• Tables and Figures

• Acknowledgments

• Abbreviations

• Keep the Word Count Down

• Formal Language

• Overworked Words

• ‘Wooley’ Qualifiers

• Emotional and ‘Leading’ Words

• Tenses

• Punctuation and Common Mistakes

• Numbering and Headings

• Illustrations and Diagrams

• Critical Thinking

Day 3: Elements of Style

• Word choice, Accuracy and Courtesy

• Sentence Structure

• Understanding Jargon

• Be Clear. Be Concise. Be Correct

• How to Engage the Reader

• Revision

• Parallel Rules

• ‘Wordines’

• Consistency

• Copy + Paste = PLAGIARISM

• ‘TURNITIN’ Detection

• References, Journals and Papers

• Key Features of a Good Technical Report and How to Write It

• Quick and Easy Form of Communication

• Design for Selective Reading

• Use Figures and Diagrams to Convey Data

• Exercise – Full Review and Case Studies of Technical Reports from Harvard (U.K) and M.I.T Universities (U.S.A)

Day 4: Report Writing

• Incident Reports

• Survey and Technical Papers

• Engineering Reports

• Investigation Reports

• Expert Reports

• Site Visit Report

• Updates

• Laboratory Report

• Discussion Reports

• Results Report

• Observation Reports

• Conference Reports

• Power Points

• Experimental Reports

• Assessment and Condition Reports

Day 5: IT and Deciding to Invest in IT Equipment

• Computer Hardware and Software

• Document Security

• Fax and Emails

• The World Wide Web

• Glossary of IT Terms 

Expert Witness Testimony and Reports

• Disclosure of Reports and Communications

• Civil and Criminal Procedures for Report Writers

• Exercise – Submission of a full Technical Report from Delegates and Assessment of Technical Reports