Degree_Certification Control_Private Node_ What to Fork

[johnnyringos]

Evening gents.

Have a concept to apply a secure network to certification (in specific shipping - as in vessels/ships - not cardboard boxes). 

This would be a proof of concept and as I currently audit vessels believe I could create a private node - upload certs that I have issued (with end client consent) and show how this could work in the owners advantage.

End result - working blockchain and a written paper equivalent to MSc status. 

To be clear, not a commercial enterprise - looking for a dissertation in a relevant field that I would actually be interested in. 

Main question - for document blockchain what would be the easiest code to fork for a private node?  Bearing in mind I have no formal qualifications in programming?

Kind regards,
John